Article: Examining Twins Managerial Candidates

[S.]

Unless TR goes too I don't see much, if any, chance that we end up with a forward thinking manager from outside the organization. In my opinion, we're much more likely to see them shuffle around a bunch of folks who are already in the org so they can keep on doing the same ol, same ol while claiming we're going to make big changes.

 

Hopefully I'm proven wrong, but at this point my expectations aren't exactly high(to put it nicely) until I see something that proves to me we have any intentions of changing the way the org is being run.

[Wookiee of the Year]

I wonder if Mientkiewicz's actions in High-A - specifically, getting into a fight with another manager - might cost him any realistic consideration.

I might've thought so, but Mientkiewicz also won Manager of the Year in the Florida State League. Makes me wonder if the fight wasn't as big a deal as you are I would think? It's hard to imagine the Manager of the Year being someone who literally tackled another manager, but it happened. His peers must not look down on the incident that much.

 

This might be a good place of people to list some of their favorite candidates. I'd love to hear some additional names besides the most common ones.

First, I have to agree with Jim Crikket that the most likely scenario is Gardy gets a two-year contract. My expectation is the front office will offer him a one-year deal, he'll say thanks, but no thanks, and then the front office will cave and go to two.

 

And while it's doubtful they'd look outside the organization, if you're looking for less commonly mentioned candidates, I'd nominate Manny Acta for manager. He's more into stats than your typical manager, he's available, and I'd like to see the Twins add a manager who's not monolingual. Plus, let's face it, Acta has some experience with rebuilding teams.

[Pius Jefferson]

Throw a couple of names out there.

 

Chili Davis and Chip Hale.

[Thrylos]

I wonder if Mientkiewicz's actions in High-A - specifically, getting into a fight with another manager - might cost him any realistic consideration.

 

That should actually be a plus... it is in my book This team needs a manager with emotions, who stands behind his players and can actually bring some energy in the dugout.

 

To the OP:

 

Seriously, the only negatives on Gardenhire are the last 3 seasons? In some cases, his inability to win in the post-season was worse that his last 3 season...

 

If you are going to use the age card on Glynn, it should be used on Molitor as well. They are the same age. I was always wondering whether Molitor's drug use has anything to do with him not being a manager, but this also the organization that hired a PED cheat as a hitting coach the past off-season... Scottie & Steinie should be added to the list (I know, I know....) if the Twins will go internally.

 

Really disappointed to not see external names, because this is what the Twins need (starting from the GM, of course.) I suspect that this is an internal only list.

[Thrylos]

Is that other guy, Jeff Smith (NB), just there . . . I mean he isn't talked about at any level here. Long-term plans for him?

 

Hopefully the boot. He is not liked by his players, the New Britain fans and the New Britain local club management. How he is still with the organization (and gets a trip to the AFL) is beyond my comprehension...

[Thrylos]

Or Mike Scioscia, if he's available. Or Ozzie. :-)

 

This might be a good place of people to list some of their favorite candidates. I'd love to hear some additional names besides the most common ones.

 

Wally Backman, always have been a big fan and this season had a tremendous turnaround of the Mets' AAA team as a manager. And Twins' ties

 

Torey Lovullo, current Red Sox' bench coach, many years as a AAA manager

 

and one of the up and coming but blocked managers:

 

Charlie Montoyo many years as the Rays' minor league manager with tremendous success in his teams, but as long as Maddon is around, his future in that organization would be in the minors.

[SydneyTwinsFan]

I think if Gardy gets a 1 or 2 year deal then either Jake Mauer or Dougie Baseball will be good chances to succeed him after that. It's probably a bit early for both, but I'd like to see one of them added as a bench coach.

 

If Gardy is gone, my picks would be Molitor (internal) or Dave Martinez (external).

[big dog]

I might've thought so, but Mientkiewicz also won Manager of the Year in the Florida State League. Makes me wonder if the fight wasn't as big a deal as you are I would think? It's hard to imagine the Manager of the Year being someone who literally tackled another manager, but it happened. His peers must not look down on the incident that much.

 

 

 

Yeah, that makes me wonder if all the other managers also wanted to fight that guy at some point, and gave Mint some cred for actually trying to do it.

[jimbo92107]

Gene Glynn or Terry Steinbach.

 

Yawn.

[TheLeviathan]

Molly is still my vote. I just want to see some damn aggressiveness on the basepaths.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

My ideal candidate would be:

 

1. Someone, anyone, that has never played for, coached for, or scouted for the Twins or their minor league teams. In other words, someone that has NEVER been attached to this organization.

 

2. Someone not named Ozzie Guillen.

 

3. Someone not named Bobby Valentine.

 

4. Someone not named Jim Leyland.

I fit those criteria...

[Shane Wahl]

Molly is still my vote. I just want to see some damn aggressiveness on the basepaths.

 

Where is there any word that he has at all been considered for any managerial job, much less a major league one.

 

I just don't get the fascination with Molitor-as-manager.

[TheLeviathan]

Where is there any word that he has at all been considered for any managerial job, much less a major league one.

 

I just don't get the fascination with Molitor-as-manager.

 

None, but he's had close ties to the organization and has a good profile to be a successful manager.

 

Let's be honest, the Twins are not going to hire outside the organization. It just isn't how they do things.

[Anorthagen]

I could see Gene Glynn becoming the new manager of the Twins

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Where is there any word that he has at all been considered for any managerial job, much less a major league one.

 

I just don't get the fascination with Molitor-as-manager.

 

I do agree, if anybody it will probably be Steiny (yawn), but...

 

Let's flip this around -- on this thread and other threads, what's your animus towards Molitor?

 

Back in the day, I pulled for Molitor over Gardenhire. But Gardy won me over (until about 08 or 09). Looking back I'd say Molitor could have done at least as well as Gardy and not been as intimidated by the absolutely mediocre Yankees every single season. The experience angle is overrated and won't swing many people considering Molitor's knowledge of the game etc.

 

And for the record, I'm not necessarily in Molitor's corner anymore. I'd definitely take him over Gardenhire though.

 

But again, why get so animated when someone mentions him?

[Ctwink]

How can you have a "complete" review of prospective Twins managers without discussin Steinbach. He's probably the MOST obvious choice! Come on...

[ScottyB]

First of all a pitching coach becoming the manager scares me - I keep having nightmares of Ray "the Rabbit" Miller. Secondly, whether or not Gardy is brought back, Andy needs to go. Time to give Bobby Cuellar a chance. If Steinbach is elevated to manager, we need to purge Vavra and Ullger. That would leave four coach openings - bench, first, third and bullpen (assuming Bruno stays as hitting coach). I could see elevating Glynn and Mientkiewicz or Mauer. If you elevate Dougie, give Tommy Watkins a chance to manage the Miracle. I'd like to see the two remaining spots with guys from outside the organization - and preferably Hispanic. The bullpen might be a place for Pudge Rodriguez since he has no official coaching background. My preference would be an hispanic outsider for bench coach. Options could include Ozzie, Tony Pena (should he become available), Felix Fermin, Juan Samuel, or Andres Galaraga.

[LastOnePicked]

It appears that Gardy's extension is already a done deal. Ryan is referring directly to Gardy's role on the 2014 squad already in interviews:

 

Minnesota Twins have plenty of 'issues' in 91st loss - TwinCities.com

[ThePuck]

It appears that Gardy's extension is already a done deal. Ryan is referring directly to Gardy's role on the 2014 squad already in interviews:

 

Minnesota Twins have plenty of 'issues' in 91st loss - TwinCities.com

 

Seems like you are correct:

 

'Ryan said he needs to do his job and acquire some starters for next season so Duensing and Swarzak can stay in the bullpen.

 

 

"I would like to think I'm going to be able to get Gardy some people here," Ryan said before the game. '

[IdahoPilgrim]

Interesting quote from Ryan. Wonder if that was an accidental slip or an intentional one.

[Winston Smith]

Why fix what aint broken?

[CGNikolic]

I believe he is managing the Mets GCL team now.

 

I just pulled his name out of any number of capable guys for a few reasons: he has played all over the world (esp. if the Twins go into that Asian market again . . . . . ), played baseball forever, and is severely disciplined about taking care of his body--I think there is added value in having a coach around like that.

We are taking about baseball here Shane... taking care of your body to a large extent is by no means a part of this sport. Any baseball player would agree to that.

[Thrylos]

It appears that Gardy's extension is already a done deal. Ryan is referring directly to Gardy's role on the 2014 squad already in interviews:

 

Minnesota Twins have plenty of 'issues' in 91st loss - TwinCities.com

 

I think that Ryan should not assume that he himself will be returning next season, despite what Pohlad said. Three seasons ago this time, BS "had the total confidence" of the Pohlads...

 

We shall see.

[S.]

"I would like to think I'm going to be able to get Gardy some people here," Ryan said before the game. '

This statement is unbearably depressing. Third straight 90+ loss season, roster full of AAA players, and he'd "like to think" he'll be able to get us some upgrades? If the Pohlad's are the least bit serious about putting a respectable team on the field, I can't imagine they're happy about a lot of these quotes TR has had recently.

[CGNikolic]

I think that Ryan should not assume that he himself will be returning next season, despite what Pohlad said. Three seasons ago this time, BS "had the total confidence" of the Pohlads...

 

We shall see.

Terry Ryan is not Bill Smith. He keeps things cheap for the Pohlads and has helped make a bright future for this team. The people to point fingers at? The cheap, aforementioned owners of this team. Gardenhire and Ryan are not the problem here, 6 division championships in 9 years proves that.

[ThePuck]

This statement is unbearably depressing. Third straight 90+ loss season, roster full of AAA players, and he'd "like to think" he'll be able to get us some upgrades? If the Pohlad's are the least bit serious about putting a respectable team on the field, I can't imagine they're happy about a lot of these quotes TR has had recently.

 

Might run into the problem he did last offseason...just can't give away the team's money :-)

[S.]

I'm hoping he runs into the same problem Bill Smith had after the 2011 season...where he didnt have a GM job anymore.

[Winston Smith]

"Gardenhire and Ryan are not the problem here, 6 division championships in 9 years proves that."

 

Living in the past is fine when the present and near future are this bad.

Haven't won a playoff series since 2002, 0-12 playoff record going not sure that's a lot to hang your hat on at this point.

[ThePuck]

"Gardenhire and Ryan are not the problem here, 6 division championships in 9 years proves that."

 

Living in the past is fine when the present and near future are this bad.

Haven't won a playoff series since 2002, 0-12 playoff record going not sure that's a lot to hang your hat on at this point.

 

And blaming Smith for all the issues, while giving credit for two division championships to Ryan while Smith was GM, seems odd too.

[LaBombo]

So he's now semi-officially the only non-expansion manager besides TK in the past thirty years to return for another year after three consecutive 90 loss seasons.

 

Put another way, since Gardenhire, to put it hyper-politely, lacks TK's postseason success, the front office is admitting something approximating this:

 

It took what was a contending core at the end of the past decade, and added tens of millions to the available payroll budget with new stadium revenue.

 

With those resources, they built a major league roster so dreadfully bad that the last manager to get a free pass for so many losses was managing a historically awful expansion franchise.

 

That's Ryan's admission with the resigning of Gardenhire. The Twins' MLB talent level the past three seasons has stood at the level of a really, really bad expansion team.