AlwaysinModeration

I don't know how much of the Twins success/failure can be attributed to Gardy or Ryan. However, the 3.5 years of poor performance provide an opportunity for change in leadership, and I hope that the ownership takes it. I think that Gardy has some clear flaws that I hope would change with a new manager--most notably the lack of platoons, and the reliance on typecast batting orders. I also am not sure he is the right guy to manage a bunch of young players, as he seems to have a deep distrust of rookies/overconfidence in veterans. I think there are a lot of intangibles with Gardy--like the clubhouse, loyalty, and maybe even willingness to get ejected--that might all be missed. However, the Twins will hire an internal replacement, so some of those things will be retained, undoubtedly. As for Ryan, I think his strength is gathering prospects, although some of his successes have simply fallen in his lap (Nats pursuit of Span comes to mind). I haven't been overly impressed by his utilization of the budget--the free agents he has targeted, or his efforts to sell assets at peak value, or lock up the right players at the right time. (He could have extended Mauer for cheaper before his MVP year, for example.) In general I also haven't loved the roster management (25 or 40)....it doesn't seem like he has tried to maximize the caliber/upside at every (precious) spot on those rosters. I hope Ryan trades at least some of the team's several expiring assets in the next week and leaves the cupboard bursting as much as possible. He would get credit for the Twins' future wave of success. So I would like to see both Gardy and Ryan go. To replace Gardy, I think Molitor is the obvious likely choice, but I think I would prefer Mientkiewicz. As for Ryan's replacement, I would not like Antony, and would hope that they do an extensive external search.

I would have predicted 5-8 in this stretch (with 1-2 vs TB). They don't look like a contending team to me...13th best record in the AL, 27th best team ERA, and a rotation with Correia, Pino, and Johnson. Will they finish the season ahead of the Rangers? However, "sellers" is a relative term to Ryan. The over/under on total players moved by the deadline should be 1.5, and based on history, I'd go with the under.

Why do we spend time debating the hall of fame cases of any player? Why do we debate anything sports related?

Well-written, objective take. I also think he should be sold high. However, it would really surprise me to see him dealt instead of extended. I'd put the options at: Extended: 50% Nothing in-season, re-signed: 10% Traded: 25% Let become FA: 15% So 60% chance they buy high, 1 in 6 chance they don't cash in any of his value, 1 in 4 they sell high. Does that sound right?

It amazes me how many pop ups and ground balls there are in the home run derby. Hitting homeruns/ a baseball is hard.

But....maybe these 3 months are more predictive than the rest of his track record!

See? Savvy! Good to hear you love your job, that is hugely important. Hope that you get good applicants for the new position.

For his sake, I hope not. Seems like he is savvy enough to persevere. But speaking of the trees (Brock, were you the "owner" who would bring them back?), here is some in-depth statistical analysis: Twins record with trees: 94-68 Twins record without trees: 195-291 (or 236-340 as of today) Now that is some fun with numbers. I rest my case...bring back the trees!

Here's my question, Jack, and thanks for answering these questions, really interesting and fun stuff. With the Twins hopefully being active as sellers in the next three weeks, how much time do you anticipate getting with Terry Ryan with any potential trade targets you may have identified through your research? Do you have a couple of guys in other teams farm systems that you think are worth making a play for, that TR might not normally be interested in?

Excellent point. This is one of numerous roster choices the Twins have made that seem misguided to me, and that is part of the FO, but also part on the coaches.

That was exactly my reaction after reading the headline.

Rant over.

Why even talk about Dozier, Perkins or Suzuki? Ryan will not trade any of them, even though they are the most valuable assets to trade. Look at the track record. He has had numerous chances to sell high during this "rebuild" like Willingham two years ago or Perkins last year, but it wasn't even contemplated. It seems like this organization just repeatedly makes poor or wrong judgments in evaluating players or getting players ready to maximize their contributions to the club. Hardy, Nishioka, Hicks, Liriano, Florimon, Pelfrey, Correia are just some immediate examples that spring to mind. 75 games left. If they go 35-40, they finish with 88 losses. Will that be enough to finally cause some real organizational change?

Well I thought they'd get a bucket of practice balls for him, but I still was hoping for the deal. If he is more valuable...maybe they could get a couple of practice tees thrown in? Whatever the bounty, I am all for it.

If you aim for mediocrity, you have a pretty good chance at being successful.

Zealous Wheeler is one hell of a baseball name.

The team is on pace for 600 BB, second behind Oakland. However, the team OBP has dropped to 9th at .321. Here is something crazy...the Padres team on-base percentage is .273. Yikes!

There is a big difference between what the Twins should do and what they will do. I just don't see them trading Suzuki. They almost never sell high. I see them signing him to an extension, and regretting it when he reverts to his career norms. I'd trade him and give Pinto a shot.

Is $10mm for 2.5 years something the Twins can't take on?

I wrote that on March 25 when the Twins sold him to Pittsburgh. Still not able to justify this move.

Any word / reason for the early exit by Meyer?

Of course, let's not mention the AC guy at the Metrodome.

It is insane that they draft over 1000 players.

My thoughts: today is a good day for the Twins. They will be 500 the latest in the season for four years, and they will add another hugely valuable player to their system.

Sometimes weird things happen on draft day. We can always hope he falls to five. But I'm not holding my breath. The Twins tied with the Cubs for the fourth-worst record. Too bad that tiebreaker didn't go their way...