Terry Ryan is Crabby

by wcooley on May 9, 2007 8:53 AM EDT

Did TR wake up on the wrong side of the bed?

In case any of you missed it since it was in the mainstream media, Patrick Reusse called Terry Ryan "stubborn" on Monday. Reusse compared the injuries that the A's and the Twins have suffered through already this year and then contrasted the moves that the A's made compared to the stand-pat Twins and their punchless, painful-to-watch offense.

In today's StarTrib, TR appeared to be a little irritated that anyone would question his wisdom, basically going so far as to say that the Twins should expect to win every game 2-1 even with Fat Sid in the rotation.

"It's pitching and defense," Ryan said. "If we had played defense the last couple of games we would have been all right. We didn't. We didn't play defense down in Tampa Bay, and it hurt us. We didn't play defense on Sunday. It hurt us."

Terry, which games were you watching? The Red Sox series was the ultimate in offensive futility.

Regarding the Twins power outage:

"I don't care about home runs," Ryan said. "I care about run production. If we'd get a single here and there with runners in scoring position we would have won a couple games. We had all kinds of chances to win games the other day and we just didn't get a single."

Does TR think this is the deadball era? And this from the man who justified the signing of Tony Fatista and all of his limitations because "we need somebody to hit the ball over the fence." Now, apparently, home runs do not matter and the Twins will slap, bunt and scrap their way to 2-3 runs per game. Somehow Ozzie Guillen fooled TR into buying into this "paranyah" crap.

Terry doesn't sound "stubborn" here at all. He sounds delusional. And if you don't like it he will take his ball and bat and go home.

Poll

Why is Terry so crabby?

Have you seen the Twins play this year?

16 votes

Matt Moses, B.J. Garbe, Jason Kubel, Matt LeCroy, Henry Sanchez

17 votes

Gout

9 votes

He didn't get his oatmeal for breakfast

2 votes

44 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Good post

I was thinking the same thing as I read it: What games did he watch? The Twins have the lowest error total in the majors, by a wide margin. And most of them were committed in the first week by JB, who struggled with the transition to playing every day after Gardy inexplicably played him twice a week the last two weeks in spring training. Since the first week, the Twins have been very solid defensively.

But the offense: That has sucked. So those quotes are a head scratcher.

I love TR and stuff, but sometimes he confirms his critics. Stubborn? What he said was mule headed. Or better yet, ostrich headed. It's tough to say wise things when your head is in the sand.

Free Kevin Slowey.

by cmathewson on May 9, 2007 10:31 AM EDT reply actions

Haughty

This is the first time where I have sensed a really haughty sense of intellectual superiority from TR. This blast seems directed not only at Reusse, but also the fans, and the subtext seems to be that TR knows what really matters and the fans are fools. Well guess what TR, home runs, and slugging DO matter, and the fans are right to be restless.

by wcooley on May 9, 2007 11:13 AM EDT up reply actions

True

True, but at the same time, I roll my eyes when all the trade stuff starts popping up, especially around here. Seems like about every six weeks someone says "hey, lets trade Baker/Crain/whoever (always Baker, Baker is in style in the trades) for XYZ good hitter." It's just like the Blalock talk for years. It isn't going to happen, and the other team would never make that deal. "Hey, why don't the Rayls give us one of their young cheep players who actually good! Yeah! The Royals don't care if they are good anyway, we can just take Tehan or Sheeley. Nevermind they just traded for Sheeley to keep him around."

Sorry that [i]I'm[/i] a little crabby, but I did't have to sit through a 15 inning Cubs-Pirates games lat night (who am I kidding, that was great), but I'm a little tired of how easily people around here expect trades to be.

Baseball is great because you cant take a knee or kill the clock. You gotta put the ball over the plate and give the other guy his damn shot E Weaver abridged

by AdamOnFirst on May 9, 2007 10:56 AM EDT reply actions

Trades are hard

...but as Reusse pointed out, Beane pulled the trigger on a couple rather quickly. Although it is debatable how much Chris Snelling and Jack Cust will help.

by wcooley on May 9, 2007 11:31 AM EDT up reply actions

Holy

Holy lack of conjugation, batman!

My bad.

Baseball is great because you cant take a knee or kill the clock. You gotta put the ball over the plate and give the other guy his damn shot E Weaver abridged

by AdamOnFirst on May 9, 2007 1:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Trades aren't easy, but...

This goes beyond acknowledging that fact. Ryan is basically saying he won't even try to make a trade because he doesn't see anything wrong with this team, beyond what a few extra infield drills will correct.

Also, it's fun to talk about possible trades. Most of us don't take the talk that seriously, but it's a pleasant diversion when your team can't do one of the fundamental parts of the game, like hitting, and you think another guy could help. And with the dearth of bats in the minors makes for fertile ground for trade speculation.

I have long had the opinion that the organization has plants in DTFC and other places, trying to influence the blogosphere that Terry Ryan knows best and it doesn't even make sense to question his moves. It sounds a bit like a conspiracy theory, but every company has blog lurkers, recognizing that it's an important way to do Web 2.0 PR.

After what TR said, I'm more convinced than ever. He is haughty and rightly feels he deserves some slack when his plans don't play out so well. But it's a short step from there to complacency and feeling invincible. His comments yesterday were the first I've seen from him that had that arrogant air of invincibility about them. It flies in the face of the image the Twins want to portray: The humble servant who is never too high and mighty to admit that he made a mistake. I want to believe that image because I think that's the way we ought to conduct ourselves, and because it happens to be the best way to be consistently effective. Perhaps he was just crabby yesterday. I hope so.

Free Kevin Slowey.

by cmathewson on May 9, 2007 11:38 AM EDT reply actions

It is true that trades are difficult

Though they seem to happen even at this time of year (see Oakland).

Over at USS Mariner, one of their fine writers suggested a Baker for Wladimer Balentien deal. (He's a 22 year old LF type raking in AAA right now). I would do that if I could. When fans of both teams like a deal, it at least suggests that it isn't too unbalanced.

Here's what bugs me about Ryan's remarks: they aren't true. He absolutely cares about power, its just that he knows (or thinks) that he can't acquire any. All of this emanates from my two biggest concerns heading into this season: filling a position with White, without a legit other option, and mistaking Nick Punto for an everyday player. Both of those decisions are biting them in the ass right now.

As to CMath's point about plants in the blogosphere, I express no opinion about that, but I have noticed an interesting dichotomy among fans in the 'sphere that might lead to discussion:

When the team is struggling, there is a group of fans that say: "The essential problems are management's fault," and arguably at least they give the players a pass. The other group says "It's the players fault," and refuses to blame management.

I stipulate that the above paragraph is terribly oversimplified, but I think there's something to it. I'm in the first group, certainly. It isn't Punto's fault that management decided he's good enough to play everyday. It isn't the player's fault when they get injured; management had to know that guys like White and Castillo are likely to miss time, and if they choose to rely on such players without sufficient coverage, they are to blame. Even a guy like Kubel, who is clearly struggling, I'm more inclined to give a pass to than I am to give management a pass for not having enough realistic sources of offense.

I don't know where this dichotomy comes from, whether it expresses underlying political (in the large sense) beliefs, or what, but I'd be interested if anyone has any thoughts on it.

by Eric in Madison on May 9, 2007 12:45 PM EDT reply actions

Twins Blogosphere...

Eric, since I found the Twin's blogosphere at the end of last season, it (Twin's blogosphere) is quite frankly, batting below the Mendoza line.

The caterwalling about Ortiz & Silva was almost universally condenatory. I can probably count 3/4 individuals who disagreed. While I will admit it is still too early to tell, I would make it 2 FAT ZERO's for the Twin's blogosphere.

I continue to hear about the MISTAKES last year. Yes, I would agree that Castro & Batista didn't work out, yet when I look at the record, I find the highest win total for a Twin's team in 35 years. Was it a plan or was it luck? doesn't really matter, since playoff participation is based on record, NOT style points.

Beane can make moves for the sake of making moves, and, they might pan out. Ryan, and I presume Beane, work within restrictions. They do it their own way, and generally successfully.

I probably fall into the camp that I expect the players to perform, particularly your best players. And I also understand they are human.

Disappointments so far...Santana, Nathan, Mauer & Morneau. Yet, we will see. There are 4/5 wins that a bit better pitching performance, or a timely single or sac fly would have secured. Maybe, they're waiting for the stretch run. Probably unfair, yet frustrating.

Regards,

I don't suffer from insanity...I relish every moment of it!

by the Dragon on May 9, 2007 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Perspectives

The blogosphere was not unanimous about the Silva/Ortiz/Ponson deals. Those who contributed to the debate were about 60/40 against Ortiz, and most approved of giving Ponson and Silva a shot, at least going into spring training. Support faltered when the players faltered and their replacements shined. But it was still far from unanimous.

Don't portray the blogosphere as the entity that disagrees with your perspective. I won't get into your individual judgments (the jury is still out on at least one); but the blogosphere is a pretty diverse group.

Free Kevin Slowey.

by cmathewson on May 9, 2007 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Fair Enough...

I will ammend that to say the sites I visited, which by Spring Training were 10 or 12. Obviously, I can only comment on those sites I visited.

I did not address Ponson, because you are correct, much less controversy. I think your 60/40 on Ortiz is much too generous to the pro-Ortiz position, and my observations on the Silva signing was that opinion was much less favorable than Ortiz.

Also, the jury is always out on my judgements, there are times that even I don't agree with them.

Regards,

I don't suffer from insanity...I relish every moment of it!

by the Dragon on May 9, 2007 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions

I know

Last year we were dead on right about Castro and batista and the team only really took off once they'd shed that dead weight.

NOBODY out there, blogosphere or not, thought Silva was going to do a good job after the spring he had.

And a LOT of us, while skeptical of the Ortiz signing thought it might be okay if there were things Anderson had in mind for hi, because he's always had the ability to be quality. As far as I've seen so far, and based off what Ortiz has said, that was the case.

Baseball is great because you cant take a knee or kill the clock. You gotta put the ball over the plate and give the other guy his damn shot E Weaver abridged

by AdamOnFirst on May 9, 2007 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions

thoughts...

Adam,

As to Castro & Bautista...If those 2 decisions are taken in a vacuum, they didn't work out. If, and I am speculating here that, at least the Castro/Bartlett situation, one might say it worked out quite well.

As to Silva in Spring Training, you can find a number of posts by me in any number of places that 2006 was the outlier for Silva. And, if he hadn't blown up in the one inning, in his next to last ST start, many would/could have seen that things were coming together for Silva.

Ortiz...right after the signing, ALL I saw was negative, I will grant you that in Spring Training some of the rhetoric softened, as he performed.

Regards,

I don't suffer from insanity...I relish every moment of it!

by the Dragon on May 9, 2007 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions

couple things...

We have to many single type hitters. That's getting really old. Patrick Reusse, wrote a fine piece. I couldn't agree with him more. And you can't fix the problem unless you acknowledge there is a problem. Which TR refuses to do, pitching and defense wins games. It doesn't hurt to score 4 runs a game. The Twins scored 5 runs over the whole Boston series.

by MagikLair on May 9, 2007 1:25 PM EDT reply actions

What

What do you people expect? Do you really think trading for Jack Cust will help? THAT'S the right handed bat were desperate for? What do you people expect us to do, sign Gary Sheffield for 40 million dollars over two years? This is what this team is and what it will be for quit some time, even after the stadium. We aren't going to be able to ammass hordes of power hitters unless we bring them up ourselves. What do you want TR to do, call up the Marlins and them just happily send their franchise player over for some spare parts? Demand that the diamondbacks give us Chris B Young for Glen Perkins and Jesse Crain so we have a future center fielder? Magically convince Troy Glaus to play for Nick Punto money?

What do you want? White is hurt right now, but he'll be healthy again. Kubel isn't hitting for power (yet) but he's the kind of guy we absolutely have to rely on. When we have some injuries, do you just want us to sign some guy out of retirment? We aren't the damn Yankees!

all that being said, I have no idea why Ponson is still around (Garza isn't that great yet, so let's see what Baker has got once more I say) and Lew Ford isn't really an answer, but he's probably better than Josh Rabe, if just for versatility.

What IS our action? hang on for dear life until our BEST PLAYER gets off the DL and hope the supporting guys keep heating up.

Baseball is great because you cant take a knee or kill the clock. You gotta put the ball over the plate and give the other guy his damn shot E Weaver abridged

by AdamOnFirst on May 9, 2007 2:18 PM EDT reply actions

I think it would help...

What do you people expect? Do you really think trading for Jack Cust will help?

You don't need to be a world beating, 50-HR hitter to make a difference. Cust is a lefty, so he doesn't fit the mold exactly, but a AAAA RH corner OF could help this team. Last night, with Bartlett on second base and the game on the line, Gardy went to Josh Rabe. Nevermind that Ozzie let him off the hook by letting him get Kubel up there, but anytime Josh Rabe is counted on in a critical situation, you can improve your team. Rabe isn't even a good AAA player.

And what's the cost? Billy Beane got Langerhans and Cust each for a meaningless PTBNL or cash considerations. In the past, the Twins have had role players like LeCroy, Kielty, and Mohr come off the bench to make a big impact. Kielty and Mohr in particular were no-cost pickups. There are players like that out there, but it sure seems as though Terry Ryan isn't even trying to find them.

Lew Ford isn't really an answer, but he's probably better than Josh Rabe, if just for versatility.

Lew Ford is a terrible addition to this roster. Ford and Tyner are completely redundant parts. Tyner or Ford, sure, you need someone who can play all three outfield positions. But if you're going to have two reserve outfielders, one of them should be able to hit. Even with everyone healthy, the bench as it is currently constructed makes very little sense to me.

by ubelmann on May 9, 2007 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions

Right on

AAAA right handed corner outfielders, a la Mike Restovich, are a dime a dozen. Right handed DHs (AAAA bats without a position) are a nickle a dozen. After White had his MRI, Ryan could have made such a deal. Last year, when this was already a depth issue for the Twins, he could have gotten Austin Kearns, for example, for a spare reliever, such as Durbin. Recall at the time, White wasn't hitting his weight in any category and Kubel was hurting.

But he seems disinterested in even trying to get another bat. When Cirillo is your DH, Punto is your third baseman and you have to use Rabe in a key pinch hitting spot, you could use another bat. And they're out there, if he wanted to take the teeniest risk in giving up an arm to get them. It borders on the ridiculous when he lets arms go to the waiver wire rather than flipping them for bats who might make a difference in a pennant race.

Free Kevin Slowey.

by cmathewson on May 9, 2007 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Exactly...

The bottom line is there is EXCESS pitching to trade, pitching that we won't miss EVER. And pitching that other teams can USE, while giving up hitters that they maybe don't need.

There are definitely trades out there that can help our club without hurting us pitching-wise. TR just needs to find them and do them.

by djskilbr on May 9, 2007 3:42 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm not so

concerned in this post about what is to be done, that's another topic. I was calling attention to TR's obstinate comments on the lack of power on the roster. Last night was fun, but how often is a rally of singles going to happen, started off by a Mike Redmond infield hit? And four of the Twins 7 runs came on two Morneau swings. Power matters. Home runs matter.

These comments from Ryan made him sound like an imbecile, something he is not. He has the track record to prove it.

by wcooley on May 9, 2007 4:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Yes, and/but...

wcooley, I grant you HR's do seem quite economical, yet in 3 of the last 4 losses, one single or a sac fly would/could have changed the outcome.

Regards,

I don't suffer from insanity...I relish every moment of it!

by the Dragon on May 9, 2007 6:05 PM EDT up reply actions

That's TR talking

Last I checked the Twins were 2nd in the AL in in batting average, but 9th in runs because they were 10th in slugging. It is hard to single your way to runs, and these stats show the Twins line-up is unbalanced. Even my Grandma knows this, but TR seems convinced that there is no problem or that it can be solved by Rondell White and Lew Ford.

I honestly think that TR was just ornery when he made these comments, because he is arguing that the pitching and defense can only give up three runs a game. That's a lot of pressure.

by wcooley on May 9, 2007 9:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Well...

What do you people expect? Do you really think trading for Jack Cust will help?

2007 totals to date
Home runs by Jack Cust: 1
Home runs by everyone on the Twins' active roster except Hunter, Cuddyer, and Morneau, combined: 1

It's not that simple, of course, but I think that second total, over a month into the season, is cause for alarm.

by BeefMaster on May 9, 2007 4:21 PM EDT up reply actions

just some power ...

AdamOnFirst. You don't know to take it to such an extreme...
Were not asking to go out and get Gary Sheffield type player. Just someone with a little more power than what we have...
White is hurt right now, but he'll be healthy again.
If were counting on him coming back and saying the team, we might as well waive a white flag, right now...

by MagikLair on May 9, 2007 3:45 PM EDT reply actions

How do you expect him to feel...

...after one of Sunday's phone call inquired about the rumor that he was trying to trade for Jacque Jones?

by roger @ Twinkie Town on May 9, 2007 5:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Make no mistake about it...

trading for Frenchy again might be worse in my book than no trade at all.

TR is smarter than that I think though.

by djskilbr on May 9, 2007 5:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Ug

I was forced to watch Jacque Jones hit last night. h came up for the Cubs in a big spot late in the game... with lefty Damso Marte pitching. I guaranteed a strikeout. The guy in front of me said no way. He thought DP. Dp it was, and there went the Cubs bases loaded, one out rally.

Frankly, i was really impressed he managed to hit the ball at all.

Baseball is great because you cant take a knee or kill the clock. You gotta put the ball over the plate and give the other guy his damn shot E Weaver abridged

by AdamOnFirst on May 9, 2007 6:00 PM EDT up reply actions

like every other GM...

These rumors are always out there on who is going where and when. Most GM's deny the rumor and move on.... It's not like this is New York, the Twins are one of the teams with the least rumors in the mlb.

by MagikLair on May 9, 2007 6:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Punching Up.....

If you can't sign the big boppers, you elt other teams do it. It may be mid-season, but then you trade prospects that you are overstocked with for some better-than-average big boppers, if the other team eats a few million.

Otherwise, Lew Ford saves the day (but is essentially the same player as Tyner).

My gripe, the Twins are a team of good players. But the mix is not always there. You must build or construct a team. You have the speed, the runner advancer, the fielders, the sluggers, the guys who take the pitch, the ones who put it in play.

Cuddyer is better in right than Jacque Jones, who (minus defense) was essentially the same player as Torii Hunter (post 2007). Tyner or Ford or Rabe, but not two or all three. Castillo, Punto, Bartlett...you need to change one of these guys (yes, Punto should be abck-up, thus getting rid of the 4th "same as" guy -- Luis Rodriguez).

Cirillo is the perfect DH/back-up, if he hits to potential. Rondell White could be the DH/LF, if he hits to potential. Kubel is unproven,. but used to be considered an in-play guy with speed and a little pop. Hasn't shown it...yet. But there is no even a little big bat (a la LeCroy).

Hell, Nevin was an intersting gamble, that didn't pay off. But wish we had someone "like" him on the bench today.

The Twins are still a team on the cheap...even with loyalty, they try for the hometown discount. That the mix worked last year...was a fluke.

www.Twinscards.com

by twintown on May 9, 2007 10:06 PM EDT reply actions