Twins Minor League Report (9/21): Chattanooga Champs!

 

 

Probably the last of Dougie M in the Twins organization. 

Why? Unless he's offered the Marlins/Rays managerial job, isn't it just as likely that he gets another promotion to coach at the major league level with the Twins (for say Vavra as the bench coach, or say, becoming 3rd base/infield coach)?

Congrats to the Lookouts, 1st Championship for the Franchise since 1988, that's a long time coming.

 

 

 

And who said Kepler doesn't have power.  I read that his homer last night cleared the right field bleachers and landed on the street.  Being at the games, it's tough enough to clear the Right Field Wall, yowsers, he took it out of the Park.

 

 

  Kepler's blast landed in the parking lot. 

 

 

A blast out in RF at AT&T is impressive with that high wall, and he had no help from the slight breeze blowing in.  But, having walked around back there myself- there is no street or parking lot directly beyond the RF bleachers, just a walkway and service lane to the Lookout locker room and then a steep hill heading straight down to the parking lot along the Tennessee River- if Kepler reached that parking lot, that was quite a jolt!

He wants to be in the majors and his ship sailed when they hired Molitor.  It'll be interesting to see what happens. 

It seems like the next ship for him to sail on with the Twins would be as a coach at the major league level- perhaps putting in a multi-year apprenticeship under Molitor with an implied promise that the job is his when Molitor moves up to an executive position (Molitor turns 60 next year).  

Due to his personal situation and the fluid circumstances in Miami, the Marlins job seems like the most logical managerial offer he might receive and accept- but it looks like the Marlins are gong hard after Manny Acta.

I am sure Dougie M. wants to be a manager rather than a coach, and although we have seen plenty of 'apprenticeships', I don't think Molly and Doug have that kind of special relationship (Paul is a thinker and tactician, Meintkiewitz the gut instinct shouter). I think they would be much more like Gardy/Molly rather than  Kelly/Gardy. It might work for a year, maybe two (which, I guess, is 'multi-year'), but I don't think it is a long term possibility.

You're likely correct and I'm in agreement- the whole Gardy-Molly situation was odd, very transparent at the intentions, at times painful when the veil was briefly lifted.  

But if the Twins do want to retain Dougie, they're likely gong to have to come up with something creative. In this instance, Mollie's job won't be under imminent threat. Perhaps it might involve a grander succession plan which would include Terry Ryan- who might like to move up from the GM position in a couple years, with Molitor moving out of the dugout- right after a Twins WS win.

I think they find a way to get him up with the big club.  He's managed most of these kids coming up right now and has that relationship... not to mention having the 'fire' so to speak and mananging two championship minor league teams.  He's earned it.  Even if his managerial future isn't with the Twins, I think they owe it to him to get him up there.  I think it's good for the kids too.