Are the Front Office's Jobs Secure?

I thought for sure I had replied to this thread yesterday but now there is nothing there. Was something deleted for some reason?

Opinions I don't agree with, some I sort of, and some I very much agree with. No way, coming in this late in the day to directly comment on any of them, so I'm just going to state my opinions/thoughts, though I'm probably going to repeat some other comments previously made.

YES, the FO is secure. Ownership, IMO, likes the successes this FO has made on the field, and the almost complete rebuild of the organization. I think they trust what they've seen so far and are willing to continue the status quo for now. I DO think there are going to be changes made in certain philosophies and approaches...changes that NEED to be made...and I think part of that is going to be changes on the coaching staff. I don't think that's going to include Baldelli at this time. My goodness, he was even extended. But still, never say never. But the staff is a different topic for a different day.

To be very clear, I've largely liked most everything that has been done by this FO since they took over late in 2017. But I haven't liked everything they've done, or failed to do, and I like to think I've been pretty clear and consistent in my thoughts and opinions. 

WHAT DO I LIKE?

I like the revamp from the analytical approach that was practically non-existant to changes throughout the milb system. While Johnson is in charge of the draft, it's still THEIR watch that has lead to some really good drafts. They've whiffed on some trades, and won some. But even the trades they've made that didn't turn out...and those that did...having the prospect/player ammunition to do so...has been possible under their watch. They've been very smart with a few fliers that have paid dividends. They've been far more aggressive, and inventive, in the FA market than we've ever seen in the history of the franchise. They seem to have an eye for non-player talent in the office and coaching. Such a good eye, they've been pilfered more than a few times by other organizations. The team basically collapsed in 2011 due to injury and regression and only had 1 winning season...2015...from then until 2017. They've reached the playoffs THREE YEARS out six so far. And while we can complain/debat about the ALC, that success trumps the previous 6yrs BIG TIME. And they lead most of the entire 2022 season before injuries destroyed that year. But they did massive moves never seen before to augment their "shot". And we could be looking at a 4th playoff season this year. Don't we want winning seasons and a "shot" by reaching the playoffs? Isn't that what every team shoots for every single season?

WHAT I DON'T LIKE?

They fall in love with veterans at times as if they are somehow afraid that a struggling vet will suddenly turn it around elsewhere, OR, are so ridiculously and needlessly afraid of losing "depth". Well, losing someone who can't perform doesn't mean you let GOOD depth go! While they've been pretty aggressive with milb promotions throughout the system, they often seem timid in promoting and trusting in prospects. (See my first point). When you are a mid-market team, your system is your bloodline for any sort of success. I never would have taken the chance on Gallo. You could have spent the $ elsewhere. BUT, if you were going to do so, Kepler should have been moved to use his $ elsewhere and trust in Wallner, Larnach, Kirilloff, Gordon, and whatver RH OF you brought in. Bad allocation of $ and available talent. It's great to be patient in your approach to FA and trades. Many teams have jumped the gun early and been burned. And the FO has had some great gets by being patient. But a smart, successful FO, IMO, should be bold enough to identify that 1 or 2 spots/guys they really like and need and make a move...THEN sit back and be patient looking for value. And whether they like Rocco and believe in him or not...and they seem to...real pressure should have been applied about simple things regarding basic fundamentals. Now, some of those fundamentals have improved this year in regard to baserunning, stolen bases, some bunts and squeeze plays and the such. Some of that is a credit to Rocco and his staff, though they also haven't addressed some very obvious holes in performance. Again, a different discussion for a different day.

The scales over 6 1/2 seasons tell me I still like this FO and what they've done, even if I don't agree with everything they've done, or not done. I feel like the crazy, weird, playoff loss streak clouds a lot of perspective of winning seasons vs ineptitude for many years before. It's as if the great fun of 2019 and 2020 just never happened after the disappointments of 2021-22. I enjoyed every moment of those years, and just about all of 2022 until early August. 

I've read comments about the Twins being boring to watch the last couple of seasons. I get it. Not so sure I don't feel the same way. But they sure weren't boring in 2019-20 with the Bomba squad. And if you pay attention to recent drafts and the milb system, you would see the Twins still drafting power...because you need it and want it...but you would also see more prospects with speed and contact ability drafted and signed. Part of the reason Martin was a key in the Berrios trade. But that shift to approach doesn't happen overnight. Part of the reason for the weird and wrong Gallo signing. "Keep pounding for NOW" and things will start to change. Witness Castro and Taylor on the basepaths, Buxton here and there.

Where I AM concerned about the FO, and their future is NOT about ANYTHING previous to this year. It's about this previous offseason and the trading deadline. I'm willing to admit the patience the FO had in Kepler might have been warranted, even if I'm not a full believer at this point. But if they truly believed in him that much, then why spend $11M on Gallo? Again, as a mid-market team, they should trusted in what they had available. The $11M spent on Gallo could have been spent on Fulmer and a solid RH bat, maybe with a slight $ bump. But if they were smart enough to sign Fulmer and the RIGHT RH bat...always conjecture I admit...the trading deadline might have been something as simple as ONE BP arm to add. Instead, we have excuses and reports they were looking here and there and talking to different teams and it didn't turn out because so many teams decided to stand pat or buy instead. Well, first of all, if you went 100% in the offseason instead of 90% you might have had very little to add. Secondly, if you're as smart as you're supposed to be, you should have been looking at ALL possibilities instead of the few you were keyed on.

When you have a chance to WIN, you just DON'T leave your team hanging when the prospect capital shouldn't be expensive to add an arm, or a semi-decent bat who might help. And again, this is where I'm starting to lose some faith in the FO. Maybe the RH bat they signed stunk. But at least they tried. And they should have gone 100% this offseason instead of 90%. NOT doing that, NOT trusting Larnach and/or Wallner instead of admitting a mistake in Gallo makes me lose confidence in the FO. 

I really like most of the FO trades they have made. I can excuse a bad trade or two. Crap happens. Mahle's tired shoulder was not related to his elbow. He looked good before his elbow blowing out this year. So that is on the FO? Lopez was a  healthy, talented arm. There was NO WAY to predict Mahle needing TJ surgery. There was no way to predict that Lopez, IMO, was just going to lose everything because of "life stuff". Or should they have known he was going through something that just messed him up? If so, then they really messed up thinking  they could FIX,things.

As a fan, and projecting ownership, this FO is not going anywhere. They get another year to prove they can fill holes, make some changes in offense approach, make a couple smart coaching changes, and see what the roster for 2024 looks like. 

3 minutes ago, wabene said:

Do people remember how terrible this franchise has been for the last 50 years outside of the 5 division winners in the aughts and the championship teams?

So, we should settle? That seems to be several arguments in this thread. 

1 hour ago, P Meyer said:

Settle for competing for a playoff spot? Settle for signing a major star? Retaining a talented player? Settle for prioritizing pitching?

 

I am more of a process over result guy so I look at the acquisitions of Correa, Ryan, Gray, and Lopez and am pretty happy. I look at the players we are drafting and would like better results, but young players are a crap shoot. If anything, I think the emphasis for change within Twins organization is how to better transition players from the minors to the majors. 

They weren't good the last two years, were they? In a terrible division. I'm confused how people accept that. 

They don't seem to trust their own player development.

Results and process matter.