Minnesota Twins Major Press Conference

by Jesse on Sep 13, 2007 11:48 AM EDT in News

Interesting...

There will be a press conference this afternoon at the Metrodome at 2 pm. Speculation: Is this player-signing related (Hunter, Santana, Morneau), or is this something bigger--something that's going to be happening on the organizational level such as Terry Ryan or Ron Gardenhire stepping down after 2007?

We'll know in just over three hours. For now, curiosity abounds.

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Probably not a signing

According to the link from neide's diary, it involves a "reorganization of their baseball operations". I'd guess it's related to either Gardenhire or Ryan - I can't imagine moves involving anyone else would warrant a press conference with any level of secrecy. Even changes in minor league affiliates, like neide supposed, are usually handled in the offseason through press releases.

I'm guessing this is a voluntary move, though - I don't think they're dumb enough to fire Ryan (despite the few bad moves they've made this year, he's still been excellent overall), and I don't think they'd bother with an in-season firing of Gardy this late in the year.

by BeefMaster on Sep 13, 2007 12:01 PM EDT reply actions

Extraneous Link

For some reason, I didn't notice that you also had the link in your post. Mine is just the same thing.

by BeefMaster on Sep 13, 2007 12:02 PM EDT up reply actions

Ryan stepping down

According to the Strib, that's what will happen. TO tell you the truth, I half expected this. He has made some uncharacteristic mistakes lately. This goes all the way back to the Batista signing, but continued through the Castro situation, the Ortiz and Ponson signings, the Castillo trade and even the recent reluctance to have more than one healthy catcher on the September roster. He's in a major slump and it can't hurt to have some fresh blood in that office. Hopefully this will allow the Twins to take the next logical step forward, which includes signing Hunter, Morneau, Santana and Cuddyer to long-term deals and trading some surpluss pitching for a couple of good bats.

"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot

by cmathewson on Sep 13, 2007 12:13 PM EDT reply actions

Sad Day...

It's a sad day in Twinkie Town.

At least he's remaining with the organization.

by Bobomojo on Sep 13, 2007 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions

Wild guess...

...how about Jerry Bell leaving to become some sort of a "milk a local government out of a new stadium" free agent. I'm sure Miami would be a nice place to spend a season or two...

by Bobomojo on Sep 13, 2007 12:14 PM EDT reply actions

My Guess...

Is that Terry will be stepping down as well. I don't think the twins would fire him, but I'm guessing ownership/upper financial management said "look, this is the direction we need to go to save face for the next few years and put a potentially winning product on the field for opening ball-park day." Being that this will involve selling pieces of the future, and that isn't the direction TR likes to go, I can see the "band" breaking up over "artistic differences."

by mbennett on Sep 13, 2007 12:18 PM EDT reply actions

interesting

I can see the "band" breaking up over "artistic differences."

That's a very interesting take. If true, it makes me a bit excited about a possible change in direction in terms of "taking a shot" -- perhaps a more aggressive attempt at a title.

But I'll admit I have my doubts about that. He seemed so well respected by the organization and I generally had the impression that TR was practically the embodiment of everything the entire organization values in terms of how to manage a ballclub. So yeah, "artistic differences" would kinda surprise me.

Also, if your theory is true, it would make me feel kinda sad that TR just did not have it in him to adjust his approach to the circumstances the team finds itself in these days -- because he has done such an excellent job of getting us to this point.

by adam @ Twinkie Town on Sep 13, 2007 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Bill Smith

Anybody know anything about Bill Smith? It sounds like he's our new savior...

Oh, boy, I'm nervous about this.

by Jon Marthaler on Sep 13, 2007 12:23 PM EDT reply actions

Started as an intern

He'll be lock step with upper management. But he's done just about everything in the organization in his 22 years with the club, including shoring up Latin programs and negotiating contracts. I'm a little surprised Radcliff didn't get it, but perhaps he prefers his current role.

"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot

by cmathewson on Sep 13, 2007 12:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Blech.

Great, is he going to be another guy who thinks getting Rondell back from the DL is just like making a trade, or that Ramon Ortiz, Sidney Ponson, Bret Boone, Phil Nevin, Juan Castro and Tony Batista are impact acquisitions?

I'm bored with the direction of this organization.

by nathaneide on Sep 13, 2007 12:44 PM EDT reply actions

Give the guy a chance

Insiders have nothing but good things to say about Smith. Some have said Ryan is what kept the organization from taking the next step. Don't judge the guy before he has a chance to show everyone what he's made of.

"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot

by cmathewson on Sep 13, 2007 12:54 PM EDT up reply actions

I suspect...

...that Mr. Ryan feels he has let the team down. He always takes failure of this team as being his responsibility...and takes it much harder than anyone should. Wouldn't surprise me if it has gotten to him physically. I wish him the very best. Things can always improve, but he wasn't the one hitting .20-.80 points worse than last year.

by roger @ Twinkie Town on Sep 13, 2007 12:55 PM EDT reply actions

It's been a tough year......

For Terry Ryan, also the ups and downs of 2006.

At age 52, he still can work for the Twins on a more limited capacity and enjoy a life outside of baseball (i.e. Tom Kelly).

Bill Smith should do fine. Remember, the Twins also have Dave St. Peter running things...so the "old guard" is now a new guard.

I'm sure Gardenhire is secure as long as he desires to manage.

But I do wonder if there will be any shakeups in the coaching staff. Nice to have Cliburn here for the September run, but maybe the Twins might be advancing that guy (and moving managers around, making room for LeCroy) in the minors.

check out Twinkies autograph collection at www.TwinsCards.com

by twintown on Sep 13, 2007 1:14 PM EDT reply actions

Not the only change

I imagine Bill Smith will do some things right away to get the management system he wants in place. He's been champing at the bit for 13 years. It's his turn to do it his way. That means at minimum hiring an assistant or two. But it might extend to the coaching staff as well. I will be watching with exitement and optimism.

"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot

by cmathewson on Sep 13, 2007 1:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Smith

I know the Twins are a great organization that prizes itself on being more oriented to the player and actually having a commitment to a guy beyond a contract. However, it would be nice to have a guy that's willing to make some shrewd maneuvers. Whether Smith might be that guy is unknown but that has been one of my few complaints about Ryan over the years.

P.S. if Kelly Theiser reports again that a pitcher had a bad start because he didn't keep the ball down, I might have to kill myself.

by caseintheface on Sep 13, 2007 1:38 PM EDT reply actions

interesting, I said that...

there's always

It's been a great time being the GM of the Minnesota Twins. But now I'd like to leave and go spend some more time with my family.

by MagikLair on Wed Aug 15, 2007 at 03:58:56 PM EDT

by MagikLair on Sep 13, 2007 1:54 PM EDT reply actions

Wow

Pick any lotto numbers lately?

"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot

by cmathewson on Sep 13, 2007 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions

My Guess

My guess is there is something else behind this than just "oh, woe is me, I signed Rondell White, I better step down." I wonder if perhaps there is a health discovery in his life, ore perhaps of a loved one such as his wife, that causes him to want a less time involved job.

Either way, when I heard that this was gonna happen this morning, I was pretty shocked and saddened...

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 Sep 13, 2007 2:19 PM EDT reply actions