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Kwak

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Everything posted by Kwak

  1. Kwak
    Basically you answered your own question--RPs gravitate toward the "closer" role due to the substantial pay raise and status associated. A RP can be elected to the HOF because of a huge number of "saves", but never a "set-up" guy. A team might be fortunate enough to have three RPs as skilled as CINN's "Nasty Boys"--but they wouldn't be able to keep them very long before some would leave in free-agency to be the closer for another team--with the benefits the come withe role. Then there's the management angle--keep things simple and do what others have proven successful--even if it isn't successful for your team.
  2. Kwak
    I am puzzled by the attacks on the WS. They spent to add major leaguers to a 4th place team that was struggling in ticket sales (and likely media ratings) to provide more entertainment to their fans--with the expectation that "they will return to the fold." Is the carping due to the lame effort by the Twins FO to improve their product?--and thus plain jealousy? Because whatever amount of money the WS spend is irrelevant to Twins fans. As an aside I wonder how much the WS activity since the Winter Meetings affected the Twins decision to sign Santana? I'm thinking the effect on the FO was large.
  3. Kwak
    As a fan, (especially those who are WS fans-not me!--whether they spent $40 MM or whatever or these guys is irrelevant. What really matters is will the WS fans be better entertained for what they spend for entertainment? The $40MM is the owner's money and not the fan's money.
  4. Kwak
    Except that if their pitch-count is "under control" said pitcher will be in the bullpen (much lower salary) or out of a job entirely. "PtoC" may have been removed from the Twins' lexicon--but it is still practiced.
  5. Kwak
    Judging from reading the reaction of the StarTribune (Dec. 3), I infer this decision to sign Hunter came from the top--DSP/Pohlad. The Twins' "spin machine" went into overdrive and produced an over-the-top, gushing endorsement of this signing. The constant "talk" of "mentoring", teaching, leading, etc. transforms Hunter into some sort of Marvel super-hero character who will spin straw into gold. But, this "trick" was tried before: the 90's, Winfield, Molior, it didn't work then--and won't work now. Hiring Molitor as manager was simply part of the marketing "trick" rather than a move in a different direction with a familiar face. Bring back Hunter is simply a continuation of the same misdirection hoping to convince fans to care (and spend) in hope that old and familiar faces is the path to entertaining baseball.
  6. Kwak
    The Twins are 20 years behind the time. Signing Hunter is another lame marketing ploy. I have no interest in watching washed-up, over-the-hill players. I am insulted that players with some sort of Minnesota connection are what I want to see on the field. Salary--irrelevant a complet bore.
  7. Kwak
    The premise of signing Masterson is: He will have a bounce-back season. What? Are the Twins suddenly contenders for the World Series--or even the playoffs? No. If the Twins truly wanted to sign a free agent pitcher--sign somebody who is already good enough to keep 4+ years. Signing one-year deals with the hope that he will improve dramatically is a losing strategy until the team has four dependable, solid starters and need one guy to "put them at the top". Twins aren't there. Play what is in-house. Let's see if gutting CF for (how many years?) was worth it with respect to the rotation.
  8. Kwak
    Several responses needed: 1) There should be younger players. There aren't because of a chronic failure in the system and the Ryan "Rule" requiring mastery at a level before promotion to a higher level; 2) Ryan like "lots of options"--if they are "cheap" options. Patch-over a broken-down franchise and wait enough years for adequate quality to be acquired and developed; 3) FA minor-leaguers know there is a "good chance" to crack the Twins Active Roster given 1) and 2), so they sign a contract with the Twins--they are running out of time to "make it".
  9. Kwak
    One very hoped-for star, a few suspects, some "Chris Colabello"-es from other lands, and lots of filler. I'm sorry there isn't a pair of rose-colored glasses strong enough to sing praises of this group. I recommend signing the best FA OF possible and for multiple years (4-5).
  10. Kwak
    Good article! The last paragraph is the best--"...sequencing,changing speeds, and changing location...". The definition of pitching! (Perhaps add changing ball movement too.) It seems to me that the Twins were emphasizing a philosophy of "...do things this way, not your way...". I could add that this philosophy crossed-over to the other elements of baseball. Adaptability is crucial. All opponents don't hit the same way, nor are effective in the same manner. The pitcher needs to seize on opponents weaknesses and exploit them, even if that requires pitching differently than normal.
  11. Kwak
    So true. PtoC was a saying--manage by pitch-count was an organization philosophy. The philosophy came from the top--not Anderson.
  12. Kwak
    Reporter: "What do you think about Molitor being named the next Twins manager?" Twins Player: "It's great!" "I used to go over to Mr. Molitor every day and 'pick his brain', so this change is super good!" Reporter: Another endorsement from the clubhouse. It seems Ryan "nailed it" with the Molitor selection. Audience: "Of Course!"
  13. Kwak
    No, we would just say: "Some things never change." But we sure as shootin' won't be misty eyed about Gardenhire.
  14. Kwak
    No. Molitor is an inside outsider. Gardenhire would be an example of an outside insider.
  15. Kwak
    I don't think Molitor is an "insider" at all. I perceive him as "the local outsider". Molitor didn't start at an entry-level position and then "vet himself" through years of being an "organization man". Molitor was more like an independent sportswriter/talking head who had the "ear of the owner" and was able to provide dissenting opinions privately to the owner. In short he was a rival to the insiders. I dare say if the Twins hadn't faltered so badly that Molitor would not have been named manager ever. This change is a result of the displeasure of the owner and not as a natural progression of the lineage.
  16. Kwak
    I'm at a loss to see that anybody deserves to be a coach. There are plenty of qualified people in the BB world for these coaching positions. If Molitor (and/or the FO) chooses a whole new team there is no reason to think that calamity will result.
  17. Kwak
    What a surprise! We should all wish him well--even his detractors--because he will need it! I don't expect a dramatic improvement in wins for next year, but I do expect a "spring in their step" from everyone. We had better not see "quit" come August!
  18. Kwak
    Ryan wants to be called (rather than calling) because it makes him believe that he has leverage. Whether it really does confer leverage is another matter. What I find illuminative is Ryan "has the need for speed" (leverage).
  19. Kwak
    The World Series ended yesterday and today has passed without any annoucement that the Twins have selected a manager. There is a delay. My guess is that the first few comments of this thread have summed-up the issues and why there is a delay. Also, reread Ryan's quotes: "...handling the pitching staff..." and "...control of the coaching staff...".
  20. Kwak
    It's not the money. The real issue is control. Were three interviews necessary wth Molitor? My goodness they have known him for many years an should be well aware ofhis personality, character, values, and plans to manage the Twins. There was quite a gap in time between the to interviews with Lovullo. There has to be reason. My guess is that Molitor wouldn't budge [enough] so it's bak to Lovullo who I suspect is more pliable. Maddon would make demands not concessions--so he isn't in the picture.
  21. Kwak
    I think the Twins made teir decision before Maddon exercised his opt-out clause. The delay is for courtesy of not stepping on the WS.
  22. Kwak
    I'm thinking that not hiring a manager to serve 10+ years is a good thing. Molitor's age and background strongly imply that he wouldn't be around 10 years fom now in any circumstance. If breaking the "job for life" system is a consequence of selecting Molitor--I'm for that. Fresh is good: A fresh set of eyes, opinions, evaluations, philosophies, strategies,etc., keeps everyone on their toes.
  23. Kwak
    My take: Ryan wants to "modify" Molitor's opinions--and hasn't heard the right words. As far as "wanting 'it' bad enough", that could include "how to do 'it'." Perhaps Molitor will bend only so far?
  24. Kwak
    If the Twins aren't announcing their new manager the day after the WS ends--there was a delay!
  25. Kwak
    A problem with the "fire in the belly" personality is that said energy is a double-edged sword. When things go well there is an exuberance--but when things "go South", things snowball into an avalache. The baseball season is a marathon and a team (and its players) need an even-keel. A grinding approach of 6 of 10, followed by 6 of 10 etc rather than the streaks that were common in the past. The Twins will soon become a team mostly populated with players with limited ML experience (if they aren't already that!) and a firm, steady hand is needed. But one thing that must be dealt with quickly is the acceptance of losing. These "swoons of August and September" must stop.
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