Ask Jack: Minnesota Twins' Jack Goin Answers Your Questions

[twinsnorth49]

Hi Jack, very gracious of you to be doing this, you obviously love what you do.

 

What type of influence and how much input is asked of your department in relation to the Rule 4 draft?

[drunksam]

Awesome thread. A sincere thank you Mr. Goin for your hard work to make my most favoritest team in the whole wide world better.

 

Now, go make them better!

 

Also, are there any fielding metrics you trust over others? Why that one? Additionally, How much smile power (spfx) did Ben Revere have and how did it help his defense and not his ability to effortlessly not hit home runs?

[Winston Smith]

Does anyone know how long Jack has worked for the twins?

[nicksaviking]

Great thread.

 

I'm wondering, in terms of your evaluations, are you generally given a specific player to evaluate, or are you asked to go out and find players who you think would be good fits for the organization?

 

Also, do you project what kinds of players might be better fits in the future but perhaps not now? An example would be last year there seemed to be an emphasis on getting ground-ball pitchers (Correia, Pelfrey) though if the club has concerns about the defensive prowess of future infielders in the pipeline, would you instead target strikeout/fly-ball pitchers?

[ashbury]

This year the Rawlings Gold Glove awards have a SABR-inspired analytic component. Jack, any thoughts about that?

[launchingthrees]

The Twins Pitch to Contact Like No One Ever | FanGraphs Baseball

 

Would you say the Twins historically low strikeout rate for pitchers is a reflection of the organization's philosophy? The author of the above article suggests it must be given how far the twin's deviate from the the 2nd lowest strikeout staff.

 

"Eight Twins starters have thrown at least 30 innings. Overall, 188 starters have thrown at least 30 innings. All eight of those Twins starters rank in the bottom 29 individual strikeout rates. Not a one of them is above the 16th percentile.

There’s another way of putting this in perspective: Twins starters have that 12.2% strikeout rate. The next-lowest is 15.6%, which belongs to the Rockies. So it’s not like the Twins are in last but are nipping at another team’s heels. The Twins are so deep in last you’d almost think this would be something they’re proud of. You’d almost think it has to be deliberate, that the Twins have zigged where all the other teams zagged. But then, the Twins are middle of the pack in walks"

[Don't Feed the Greed Guy]

Okay, here's a softball, Jack... A title like "Manager of Major League Administration and Baseball Research" is fascinating. Love of the game, and a background in numbers, sabermetrics, etc... So, what's your "call" story (sorry, I'm a pastor)? How does a baseball fan get started down this track? Also, did you have a favorite player/team growing up? Basically, what's your story?

[diehardtwinsfan]

I'm rather curious of your opinion (and the front office opinion if you can say) on this article.

[The Wise One]

Is the data from Pitchf/x and the like showing where in the strike zone the pitchers throw and what pitches get hit more useful in assessing a pitcher than the actual statistics?

[Brandon]

1. Grimes was an infielder who became a catcher. He had a pretty solid year in his first year as a catcher. Let's let him settle in there before we move him to the mound. Sound good? We have had a few guys work as a third catcher if they were a UT infielder.

2. I can't remember the kid's name but we recently had a catcher move to the mound. This type of decision is usually our Minor League staff and the FO.

3. What about double steals?

4. Personally I'm a sucker for seniors on kiss cam. I hope my wife and I last that long.

5. I think they used to do this stuff in the 80's. Davey Johnson I think was known for it. Putting a pitcher in the outfield and then bringing him into pitch and just flip-flopping a pitcher/outfielder for a pitcher/outfielder. You would have to fact check me on that one.

 

On #5 Doug Descenzo (probably not spelled right) played for the Cubs as a back up OF swapped with the pitcher a few times in the late 80's.

[Brandon]

My question is regarding Pitching staff construction at minimal costs with above average results. I figure relievers are fungible and more inconsistent year to year as a whole so they tend to be less expensive. Also a starting pitcher who can pitch 180-200 innings with a league average era costs 1/3 the amount or even less than a starter who has a higher likeliness of giving up a full run less per start. With this in mind the Twins in the past have shown a tendency to go after average starting pitchers who can average 6 innings and then put together a better than average bullpen for a net better than league average pitching staff that gives the team a chance to win a better than average amount of time especially if the offense is slightly above average or better.

 

Is that type of thinking that goes into the how the Twins put together a pitching staff?

[twinscowboysbulls]

Who pissed off Jack?

[scottz]

Who pissed off Jack?

 

"Who pissed off Jack?" was one of my favorite books as a kid.

 

My question to Mr. Goin: Is your given name a variation of Jack (Jack, Jackson, etc.) or John (Jonathan, John, etc.)? Inquiring minds want to know.

[Squirrel]

Who pissed off Jack?

 

I have a hunch that maybe he's a little busy right now?

[Jack Goin]

Is the data from Pitchf/x and the like showing where in the strike zone the pitchers throw and what pitches get hit more useful in assessing a pitcher than the actual statistics?

I guess I think of it like this. Statistics tell you what happened. Pitch f/x helps explain why it happened.

[Jack Goin]

Who pissed off Jack?

Nobody. Have a few things going on at work right now. Plus, I thought it was just a Friday afternoon thing last week.

[Jack Goin]

Great thread.

 

I'm wondering, in terms of your evaluations, are you generally given a specific player to evaluate, or are you asked to go out and find players who you think would be good fits for the organization?

 

 

Also, do you project what kinds of players might be better fits in the future but perhaps not now? An example would be last year there seemed to be an emphasis on getting ground-ball pitchers (Correia, Pelfrey) though if the club has concerns about the defensive prowess of future infielders in the pipeline, would you instead target strikeout/fly-ball pitchers?

The assignment changes during the course of the season. In the months leading up to the Trade Deadline it is find orgs that fit with us and then find players in their organization. As you get more locked in with a club you start focusing on specific players. The strategy changes all the time.

Those things like groundball pitcher vs flyball pitcher might be separators but not necessarily drivers.

[stringer bell]

Jack, one question that you've been asked where I haven't seen the answer is in regard to fielding metrics. Does your group use any of them and which do you see as being valid measures of player defense?

[John Bonnes]

Nobody. Have a few things going on at work right now. Plus, I thought it was just a Friday afternoon thing last week.

 

Nope. Sorry. You're in now. We're having t-shirts created and everything. :-)

[nicksaviking]

Nobody. Have a few things going on at work right now. Plus, I thought it was just a Friday afternoon thing last week.

 

Thanks for coming by Jack. For what it's worth, if answering our foolish questions prevents you from finding quality free agents, we may consider making the sacrifice and set you free.

[snepp]

Thanks for coming by Jack. For what it's worth, if answering our foolish questions prevents you from finding quality free agents, we may consider making the sacrifice and set you free.

 

 

Likey.

[Jack Goin]

Nope. Sorry. You're in now. We're having t-shirts created and everything. :-)

Now I'm scared. Also, I will require royalties on the sale of these items using my likeness.

[Badsmerf]

So Jack, can you divulge what indicators led you believe Mike Pelfrey is worth bringing back? Obviously he began the season coming off TJ surgery so some struggling was to be expected. As the season wore on he became pretty good and his peripherals showed he was better than his ERA suggested. Can we get a nugget about him from you?

[ashbury]

Congratulations to Jack for his role in getting Nolasco under contract.

[Jack Goin]

Congratulations to Jack for his role in getting Nolasco under contract.

Our Assistant GM, Rob Antony, does a tremendous job in negotiating contracts. He has a great feel for when to give and take. Really fun to listen to him negotiate.

[ashbury]

Our Assistant GM, Rob Antony, does a tremendous job in negotiating contracts. He has a great feel for when to give and take. Really fun to listen to him negotiate.

 

I have no doubt this phase of the effort requires all the finesse in the world. But picking *which* pitchers to negotiate most seriously with is no small thing either.

[twinscowboysbulls]

Nobody. Have a few things going on at work right now. Plus, I thought it was just a Friday afternoon thing last week.

 

What could you possibly have going on at work right now!? Come on man, this forum stuff is waaaaaaay more important. All jokes aside, kudos on your signings of two pitchers who could be rock solid for the organization.

[twinscowboysbulls]

Our Assistant GM, Rob Antony, does a tremendous job in negotiating contracts. He has a great feel for when to give and take. Really fun to listen to him negotiate.

 

Side Note: Could he help me out at the bar sometime?

[Brock Beauchamp]

Really stellar work this offseason, Jack. It's not hard to see the statistical analysis fingerprints all over the Nolasco and Hughes signings.

[scottz]

Hey Jack,

 

Were we ever really close on AJ?