A Message To The Front Office

Literally could not agree more

This is just a really long post regurgitating the same points being made over and over; I'm not sure how it constitutes a "message to the front office" (to whom it's not even addressed) or what the purpose of it is. 

Saying that the front office should "act like a fan" is just about the worst suggestion possible in sports. Contrary to what a lot of people on here seem to think, it's actually pretty hard running an MLB organization. They do consider all of their options and do consider all kinds of different scenarios.

The difference is that they are held accountable for their decisions. Fans aren't. The actual professionals have a lot on the line. Message board posters have nothing on the line. 

If someone has a question or an idea, by all means, discussion is a good thing. Restating mindless, blanket criticism does not generate meaningful discussion and really is a waste of time for everyone involved.

This is just a really long post regurgitating the same points being made over and over; I'm not sure how it constitutes a "message to the front office" (to whom it's not even addressed) or what the purpose of it is.

 

Saying that the front office should "act like a fan" is just about the worst suggestion possible in sports. Contrary to what a lot of people on here seem to think, it's actually pretty hard running an MLB organization. They do consider all of their options and do consider all kinds of different scenarios.

 

The difference is that they are held accountable for their decisions. Fans aren't. The actual professionals have a lot on the line. Message board posters have nothing on the line.

 

If someone has a question or an idea, by all means, discussion is a good thing. Restating mindless, blanket criticism does not generate meaningful discussion and really is a waste of time for everyone involved.

But criticizing criticism of the front office isn't a waste of time? What about my post criticizing the criticizing of the front office criticism?

You may consider the article regurgitation of other complaints, I saw it as a summary. Reasonable, direct, and apropos given the end of winter meetings.

I'll be disappointed if we don't sign Ryu or Donaldson, and/or make trades for players around that value. Go for immediate upgrades now. It's ok if we lose value later on, whether from overpaying salary or losing prospects. That's just how MLB works.

I believe that we are likely to see at least one significant trade this off season as Falvine cash in some of our prospect chips and /or move on from Eddie Rosario.

 I'm fairly certain they're aware of what the fans think. These guys are obviously not risk takers. Last season they made some good moves, but they were all safe, short contracts that didn't carry a lot of risk.Expecting these guys to offer any bold, long term contracts just isn't going to happen. It doesn't matter what they say. They are real pro's when it comes to talking BS, as we have all seen. 

Yes. From the fans' perspective, 29 teams lose every year. If only one team reaps the ultimate fan reward, there is little to be gained from taking on an average level of risk. Put your chips in on a player. Sixth best team is not what you are playing for.

Evidently folks don't understand how the FA market works. Top end FA are going to go to top teams in Large markets or go to places that they have history or interest in .... Baumgarner to Arizona because his horses are there... Wow.

Front office is working to try to land the talent but if the agent and or player doesn't think it is a fit they are going to go elsewhere. There is a reason why players tend not to come to MN.. past has been $ but also the  spring weather...

Likely going to need to spin a trade for a starter and use our depth in the minor league to  fill the gaps or to be part of the trade.

Folks this is the reality and has been for years.. getting pissed at the Front office for not getting Cole, Strasburg, etc is pointless and beyond what anyone in that position is going to be able to do. Sucks but is true....

I have no problem if the FO doesn’t wade into free agency. It’s not a good long term plan. But then they have to spend their other currency which is prospects. Trade assets you do have for assets you don’t have. Unfortunately they don’t seem to be comfortable doing that either which is not good

Evidently folks don't understand how the FA market works. Top end FA are going to go to top teams in Large markets or go to places that they have history or interest in .... Baumgarner to Arizona because his horses are there... Wow.

 

Front office is working to try to land the talent but if the agent and or player doesn't think it is a fit they are going to go elsewhere. There is a reason why players tend not to come to MN.. past has been $ but also the  spring weather...

 

Likely going to need to spin a trade for a starter and use our depth in the minor league to  fill the gaps or to be part of the trade.

 

Folks this is the reality and has been for years.. getting pissed at the Front office for not getting Cole, Strasburg, etc is pointless and beyond what anyone in that position is going to be able to do. Sucks but is true....

I really wanted Wheeler because I thought he had the capacity (stuff) to elevate his game during the playoffs and be a difference maker. However, I was engaged once too. Family is strong draw and getting bent out of shape because a FA had other priorities. I also listened to Vanwagenen and Duquette which caused me to question my position. His former team and at least one GM were quite sure there were better ways to spend the money. I guess the point is that I was not so sure about Wheeler that I was going to get bent out of shape given these considerations.

Ryu could end up being the best option outside of Cole / Strassburg so I am not going to react until he is off the board and even then, we have 3 months to make a trade.

I'm gonna wait to read this until February.

I read the headline, Matt, and thought here we go again.  Well, that was wrong as I was pleasantly surprised.  Yes, we all know much of what you wrote and I suspect the FO would agree with most of it.

I believe these guys have a set of guidelines that they may bend, but won't break.  I see that type of discipline as a requirement in managing a mid-market baseball team.

No matter how much talk there is about the second group of pitchers, let's admit there were only two free agents this year that would have given the team a much better chance at a Series win.  And there was almost zero probability of getting either to the land of 10,0000 lakes.  The next group has talent, but every one of them also had a lot of warts, including age, health and making that move from the National to American League.  It appears they were very interested in Wheeler, who unfortunately had no interest in coming here once his minimum contract requirements were met by a team in an area he wanted to be in.

Although Ryu remains, we are now at the third group led by Kuechel.  I expect they have had some trade talks, however, won't get serious on that front until they have worked thru this next group of potential signings.  But I don't see them forgetting about their guidelines (both dollars and contract length) when dealing with this group just to fill that #4 slot, and they shouldn't.  

Yes, they need at least one more experienced starter.  It is possible they have always thought he would arrive via trade.  They just have to work thru the free agent process before finalizing that deal, be it a big one or more similar to the Odorizzi deal.  Meanwhile we need to understand they have a plan and as hard as it is, be patient as well.

You are correct, until baseball implements a salary cap, the big boys - the Yankees, Dodgers, Red Sox, etc. are always going to have an advantage, a very big advantage.  If the Twins blow it on a free agent, pick the wrong one, he gets hurt, etc, the Twins are hamstrung for years. The big boys just go sign another one.
 

Bingo...somebody buy that man a beer.

Evidently folks don't understand how the FA market works. Top end FA are going to go to top teams in Large markets or go to places that they have history or interest in .... Baumgarner to Arizona because his horses are there... Wow.

 

Front office is working to try to land the talent but if the agent and or player doesn't think it is a fit they are going to go elsewhere. There is a reason why players tend not to come to MN.. past has been $ but also the  spring weather...

 

Likely going to need to spin a trade for a starter and use our depth in the minor league to  fill the gaps or to be part of the trade.

 

Folks this is the reality and has been for years.. getting pissed at the Front office for not getting Cole, Strasburg, etc is pointless and beyond what anyone in that position is going to be able to do. Sucks but is true....

This is such BS it's not funny. 

I hate this argument, absolutely hate it. Yes, if the offers are the same, then players will pick where they want to go. However, when you are in the position the Twins are, you have to identify EXACTLY who you want and blow them out of the water with a deal. Madbum gets 4/85? Offer him 5/110. He won't turn it down, I will promise you that. 

It cannot be done all the time. But doing so when you are in this position is more than acceptable. You are paying a guy 4 or 5 years for basically the performance they will give you in year 1 or 2. 

Don't like doing that? Fine, draft and develop pitching that is able to fill that role. Or "gasp" trade some of the zillion positional player prospects you have in order to balance out your organization. Having piles of good position players doesn't do you any good if you have no pitching to go along with it. 

 

Although Ryu remains, we are now at the third group led by Kuechel.  I expect they have had some trade talks, however, won't get serious on that front until they have worked thru this next group of potential signings.  But I don't see them forgetting about their guidelines (both dollars and contract length) when dealing with this group just to fill that #4 slot, and they shouldn't.  

 

Yes, they need at least one more experienced starter.  It is possible they have always thought he would arrive via trade.  They just have to work thru the free agent process before finalizing that deal, be it a big one or more similar to the Odorizzi deal.  Meanwhile we need to understand they have a plan and as hard as it is, be patient as well.

If you know you aren't going to be able to sign anyone, there shouldn't be time wasted there. Work the trades. Get out in front of it before the rest of the squads pivot their focus and beat you to the punch. 

Waiting around to make offers both on the trade front and Free Agency has killed them so far this offseason. 

Everything doesn't have to be a bargain. You don't have to WIN every transaction. When you are in the position the Twins are, you need to identify who it is you want and make sure you get them. 

I didn't expect much mostly because it has been a well known fact that players do not want to come here.  I would say it is mostly because they don't see the ownership going all out to win a WS.  There was a lot of hub bub in 2015 and 2017 when the team still had a good chance but decided to throw in the towel and off load some of their decent players at the trade deadline.  So they are kind of stuck.  Some of the players have the Twins in their contract as a place they can't be traded to.  The Pohlad's or FO always say they will spend but never to.  They haven't been to the WS since 1991 and haven't won a play-off series in forever.   Also in the past the coaches had their favorites and they played whether they deserved it or not.  That really changed this year for the better. players know they need to earn their playing time.  Once they get one big name and maybe go a round or two in the playoffs more players will want to come here.