Kwak

The GM holds the responibility for team philosophy--"how we play, and who we want to play for us". The Twins selected draftees, developed and promoted on that philosophy. To cite Perkins and Plouffe as examples actually illustrates the failures of said philosophy--Perkins and Plouffe were failures at the positions they were developed to play and were allowed to resuccitate their career due to generous patience by the Twins (because they were 1st RD choices!?). Plus, it's not as if the Twins didn't draft pitchers--they did! Either just play poor selections or they were misdeveloped and ended up as busts. In Ryan Inteview thread the was the comment on Diamond about "finishing-off" the batter so the Pitch-count isn't elevated. He was right about the finish-off part, the pitch-count is just ancillary. But this same inability to"finish-off" batters was the same problems encountered by virtually all of the wins starting pitchers. That shortcoming caused Perkins, Slowey, Blackburn, Duensing etc. to fail as starting pitchers. To me, that indicates a systemic flaw in pitcher development. The fact that Ryan mentions pitch-count illustrates that he has the tail wagging the dog. The pitchers need to deelop the skill to "finish 'em off". The comment about Liriano and his overuse of his slider concerning injury and effectiveness. Perhaps that is the big reason for Perkins "success"--he eliminates the requirement to throw change-ups and slow curves an is allowed to throw his slider whenever he chooses, becaue now he is a one-inning relief pitcher and the issue of pitch count isn't relevant like it is for starting pitchers. To exonerate the GM for the draft failures (which might actually be development failures) ignore the other roles the GM plays in the organization. It isn't "the buck stops here" syndrome, but rather "the process starts here" is what makes the GM responsible.

Liriano is what I term a "Good Time Charlie" guy--when things are going well, he does really well. If he's on a good team that's playing well--he looks great. The problem occurs when things get tough and the pressure is on, then Liriano folds-up like a road map. Liriano is not the pitcher to place your destiny on--he will disappoint!

Conspicuously absent from this interview was any planned action to increase the major league talent. There was sufficient admissions of disappointment in team results--but nothing about any new direction. Last off-season there was a promise to get three new SPs--will there be 2 new SPs (since Corriera is on a 2-yr contract I assume he will be back for 2014)? Ryan said "trade mode", it is assumed that he means veterans would be traded--but for minor leaguers? or major leaguers? If veterans are moved is the plan to "promote from within" or sign free agents? Placeholders or Long-term additions? This "interview" smacks of a White House press release (any President will do) that actually says nothing.

Last year wasn't the first year that there were free agents--nor the last year. The public approved a tax subsidy to build a new stadium (that increased ticket prices dramatically!) so the Twins could field better baseball teams than if they had to rely on the revenues from the Metrodome for their stadium revenue. The utter dismissal of the concept of acquiring upper-tier talent (and retaining him) flys completely in the face of ownership's request [for the new stadium] and the public mandate, to field more competitive teams. It's as if "I don't have to, and you can't make me...". None of the posters I have read have ever disputed the value of drafted amateurs that are developed into professional players isn't desireable or that signing free agents is the only way to rebuild. But whenever any poster suggests a major free agent signing, he is met will a full counter-attack.

Ryan is in a pickle with respect to trading Perkins. He must "be blown away" with the offer else it is an admission that the Twins aren't close to contending--despite the sweet words otherwise. Said "blown away offer" must not only be accepted by the Twins faithful--those guys have to perform at said "blown away level" Finally, the next closer had better succeed and definately not be the reason why the team's performance didn't match expectations. More risk there than signing a free agent who only costs money.

It seems to me that these FA signings were all about obtaining players with a MN connection to sate the appetites of the hometowner fans and nothing about making the team a champion. Sort of like putting a cute blonde next to your "K" car in order to sell it.

Hmm, sounds like Twins fans will have quit a wait before the pitching staff gets turned-around--without free agents.

This year's Red Sox. But as so often the defenders counter-attack free agent spending as if that can't be used in conjunction with the draft--they can work together!

Well, they have officially punted this season, so it is to be expected that some guys get demoted, as well as some get traded/put on waivers. Recall the discussions about Doumit taking ABs away from Parmalee? Now Doumit needs those ABs to showcase him as trade bait. The same for Morneau (hope does spring eternal in the Twins FO). These callups? Somebody has to be promoted--one has to be a middle INF, one has to be an OF and the third guy has to have provided some expectation that he can hit.

You gave Ryan's definition of overpay--good for you! Ryan assigns a value to a player and spending more than that--is overpaying. Some might say that is arrogant--maybe that is what GMs do at their annual meetings is assign values to players (there isn't a press release), but he doesn't chase much. This all but guarantees only lesser talent, because all teams want quality and a few million more is just part of the game (within the game). Until Ryan starts to get competitive in the free agent market, his only choice to rebuild effectively is through the draft--and that is a slow process--maybe very slow.

The Twins lack steel in the backbone, fire in the heart, and just plain grit in the face of difficulty--that's the big reason the won't make a miracle turnaround. They need to grow their way into success--and also deal with it!--as opposed to what the Pirates did last year.

Hicks is also debunking the claims that he is "defensively deficient" compared to his predecessors, much less in general. Good for "Hicksie".

Other teams, not this team.

It's a silly idea--trade for the fun of trading. The Twins don't have a rotation now or for next year--so to quote Ryan "lots of arms" are needed, and Deduno is probably is about as good as they have, right now.

Many posters have responded to this tome before I could respond. I echo pretty much what they said. However, I suggest two things: 1) respond to humor with humor; and 2) get the latest script. The Twins FO were public with their disappointment of this season's record to date and enough so that they are willing to make trades to improve the team. As for the "no long rebuild" part I request a definition of "long". Whatever veterans that have been added were signed to short contracts which makes it appear as if they are "placeholders". Which is fine by me to an extent, but there is clear need for experienced talent as well as rookie talent. Also, the (assumed by me) new core of the team are/were teenagers when acquired so it is reasonable to conclude that a few years is needed for these guys to "get to full-speed"--which (again) is fine by me. Fast turnaround is what the Red Sox have accomplished (IMO), the Twins' plan is clearly oriented to take longer than the Red Sox's plan (still fine by me). I do think that they need to "speed it up" by adding some "high-quality" veteran talent. I really don't think that they can go from losing 90+ for years to winning 90+ in one season.

I guess the off-season plan to make the Twins competitive didn't work. Doggonit! Another unlucky roll-of-the-dice. Twins just can't catch (a break), hit (a card), or pitch ( a ringer). Well, maybe next year...

Perkins for 1 minor leaguer hopeful = poor trade. Some of you are rubes in bargaining--"if you don't listen..."--make them call you, then you know they are interested, then the return is greater. It's called "playing hard to get", if they really want to deal--they will, as opposed to those who are just looking for a "pick".

The Red Sox just got Matt Thorton from the CWSox--so they got their LH RP.

Arcia = zorro

No, Pohlad was the #1 reason. There was a budget (set by ownership committee) for the complete organization. TR skewed it toward the Active Roster because the Twins were winning and one of the goals of the team was to obtain approval for the publicly subsidized stadium. A winning Twins team was part of the plan to get the new stadium. But money spent on the Active Roster meant less to spend for new player acquistion (the draft, etc.). Recall, the slot system wasn't in effect, so teams could spend as they wanted in the draft. The Twins had to focus on players that they could sign and fit in their budget. The talent acquired after the salaries were escalating was affected--the Twins were disadvantaged in the Draft because they were spending to "win now" (well, they did have good teams). The Twins should have had separate budgets (Roster and Acquisition) and fund them according to plan for long-term goals of the organization. Things have changed. There is a much higher committment (by the Twins) to draft "better" players and to be aggressive in the International market. The slot system evens the field, which helps the Twins. Also, with a declining payroll for the 40-man Roster there is more money for new players. But these new guys need time, more time than next year. Until then, the Twins will have to muddle through with what they have plus any new free agents. Point, Bill Smith was as constrained by ownership as was Ryan. Most of the players on this team, or should be on the team had "they stuck", were acquired during Ryan's tenure, not Smith's. As stated before, the Twins GM isn't a dictator who makes all decisions, therefore the GM should not get all of the blame or credit.

There has been some major surgery--the Twins are far more aggressive in pursuing and signing better talent from the amateur ranks than in the previous decade. True, the "slot rule" have had a huge effect--but there has been change. Another example is in international signings--that was next to nothing in the previous decade. Where the FO has failed--is in obscurring the fact that the previous drafts provided only marginal talent. The veterans that were signed weren't able to win enough games to make the team look somewhat competitive. They weren't signed to solve the talent problem (short-term contracts) they were signed to cover-it-up until the "next wave" is able to develop and progress to the Twins and be the real solution. If Gardy is not retained--it is because a sacrifice is needed to quiet the masses.

This is a very interesting article for discussion. I don't know squat about the non-Twins mentioned, but I am curious to know how likely any of these teams are to offering what was written. Trading Perkins is risky, but plausible. However, I think a good closer is worth someone very close to ML-ready and I would be very reluctant to make a trade that involved solely Class A "prospects". Trading Plouffe is even more risky than Perkins. Sano's numbers at AA aren't even at the "replacement player" level yet and to simply hand him 3B is courting disaster. Plouffe might even improve somewhat too.

Replacing Gardenhire mid-season isn't as easy (or painless) as it appears. I think there are plans for him to be in "the circle" someday, and firing him makes that problematic. It also assigns (too much) blame to Gardenhire for this season's disappointment. There would need to be some cover story that's makes his departure not appear as the team is displeased with him or his performance--he's not Bobby V. people!

The criticisms of the Royals and now the Cubs efforts to rebuild are irrelevant to this thread--if not just plain irrelevant. It is sanctimonious of people to claim the Twins are better than... especially in light of the team we see on the field. What we can reasonably conclude is that the chewing gum, duct tape, and bailing wire method employed has failed miserably. It is also reasonable to conclude that there is a wide chasm between the Twins minor league's competition and the level that the Twins face--especially when opposed by the stronger teams of MLB. The "new" Twins need to face these problems "head-on" and overcome them themselves at the MLB level. Apparently this process is slower than projected--with the proviso that some will fail their challenge. I hope for three things from the FO: 1) a change in the selection and development in minor leaguers such that they are selected and chosen to excel at the ML level and not simply progress through the system like pupils through the public school system; 2) accept the fact that a team's success is more controlled by it's best players and devote resources (money) to acquire top players and not those "that fit in"; and 3) to be forthright with the fans about the process and to be realistic where the team really is, in the rebuild.

It would be merciful to let Gardy go and not force him to be the target of frustrated fans the rest of this year. I sincerely doubt that Ryan would hire a replacement who would publicly say: "The #1 priority of the Twins is to re-sign Nick Punto [or insert someone else]" without having said statement pre-approved. Gardy has done many things well, but he has also contributed to this mess and replacing him is in the best interest of the Twins.