Kurt Suzuki Emerging as a Potential Candidate for Twins’ Managerial Opening

[JADBP]

I have to say, Kurt has one really great thing going for him...he played for 2 years under Joe Madden at the LAA.  Joe must have taught him something....anything.  He's a born teacher.  If Kurt tries to mold himself along the lines of Madden (instead of Mollie) he would be in very good company.  Nothing against Mollie, but he was a far, far better player than manager.  He also played under coach Bob Melvin, another catcher.  So, just saying...yeah, no experience, but a good pedigree of teachers along the way.

[Dave Borton]

 

15 minutes ago, JADBP said:

...another catcher.

484-444.

 

[jorgenswest]

AI summary from google

Quote

As a battery for the Washington Nationals, catcher Kurt Suzuki provided veteran leadership and excellent game-calling that Max Scherzer praised throughout the 2019 season. The two developed a strong rapport, and Scherzer specifically called Suzuki "hands-down, one of the best catchers I've ever thrown to". 

Highlights of Suzuki's defense while catching Scherzer:

Effective game-planning: Suzuki's ability to call the right pitches was essential for Scherzer. Scherzer noted that Suzuki "called some big-time pitches for me" during the postseason.

Solid blocking: Suzuki was an especially crucial part of Scherzer's postseason success by consistently blocking pitches in the dirt, preventing wild pitches from advancing runners.

Pitcher confidence: For Scherzer and others on the staff, Suzuki's presence provided confidence from behind the plate. As Stephen Strasburg noted, Suzuki had a talent for communicating with the pitching staff that gave them confidence in their pitch selection.

On-field results: In 2019, Scherzer had a strong 2.08 ERA in the regular season when Suzuki was his catcher, compared to a 4.09 ERA when he threw to Yan Gomes. 

While Suzuki was not known for his pitch framing and had some throwing issues, his game-calling, blocking, and veteran presence were invaluable to Scherzer, particularly during their 2019 World Series championship run. 

The metrics heavily based on pitch framing and stolen bases do not favor Suzuki well. Scherzer believes in him. Though. It is hard to measure leadership, game calling, the ability to communicate and a presence that provides confidence. These are probably skills that translate to the manager role.

My guess is this information was scraped from reports in 2019 when the Nationals won the World Series. I am not sure what the 2025 Scherzer would say about Suzuki today. Does he still see that same leadership, communication and game calling skills?

[dxpavelka]

Gotta love all the folks on here bitching about the FO.  Same folks who cheered when they replace T Ryan and co.

 

[IndyTwinsFan]

12 hours ago, Whitey333 said:

Suzuki would be a fine choice.  He's likable, knowledgeable, and good experience as a player.  Plus someone with no managing experience would be cheap.  Also a new manager with very little experience would be easy for Falvey to micro manage and manipulate.  

Which is not what we either want or need.  Which is not to say that I disagree with the premise of your post, because I do agree.

[CRF]

Nothing against Suzuki, but another guy with zero managerial experience is the last thing this team needs right now.

[darin617]

13 hours ago, Reptevia said:

I’d prefer Plouffe. Probably neither though. It will likely be someone with little to no experience who won’t push back against a very active FO. 

I don't think Coach Trev has any interest in managing for the Twins. 

[darin617]

1 hour ago, CRF said:

Nothing against Suzuki, but another guy with zero managerial experience is the last thing this team needs right now.

That's exactly what the Pohlad's want to hire. No experience equals cheap contract.

[Doctor Wu]

12 hours ago, USAFChief said:

Don Baylor and Lou Piniella were catchers?

I could have sworn that Piniella DID do some catching in his early playing days, but I can only find stats that he played the outfield. Nevertheless, I agree that many ex-catchers  do become good MLB managers. 

[Doctor Wu]

20 hours ago, Trov said:

I personally think someone that can adapt is important

Exactly. That may have been one of Rocco's weak points; not able to change or adapt when it would have been helpful to do so. Hopefully, the next manager CAN adapt and not always go by some rigid formula or spread sheet. 

[Bodie]

22 hours ago, tarheeltwinsfan said:

Falvey's quotes gave me some insight into what is wrong with the Twins organization. For example: Rocco's firing "Is not about Rocco".  If it is not about Rocco, then why fire him? What was it that Rocco did or did not do to justify his firing? Or was it just a move to shift the blame for the organization's failure to be successful? Another example:  When discussing the traits they are seeking in a manager Falvey said: "Once you start defining the exact traits you need, then you start thinning the pool...I think instead start with a more blank sheet of paper." Wait, what? That makes little sense to me. The pool must be thinned anyway. That is the whole process.  The exact traits being sought are important.  If you don't know what you are looking for, how will you know when you find it? "I'll know it when I see it, but I don't know what it is that I'm looking" for is plain stupid.

This is what happens when the "smartest man in the room" is allowed to hang himself with his own words as opposed to be challenged...

To quote that timeless philosopher, "What a maroon!"

[Vanimal46]

 

[Mike Sixel]

4 minutes ago, Vanimal46 said:

 

There you go. Thanks,

[Squirrel]

Moderator note: Stop with the political talk. It does nothing but drag discussion off topic. Report it or ignore it, but don’t be so triggered with the need to respond.