How much of the Indians’ post-season run is due to Derek Falvey?

The Twins officially announced the hiring of Derek Falvey as Chief Baseball Officer back on October 3rd, but we haven’t heard much definitively about the new front office since then. The reason for that is because, of course, Falvey is still the Indians’ Vice President of Baseball Operations until their season ends, and well, their season hasn’t ended. In case you missed it, the Indians are going to on to face the Cubs in the World Series, starting tonight.

So how much of the Indians’ successful post-season run can Falvey take credit for? Will he be able to recreate the Indians’ success with the Twins?

The bad news is that at this point, we have no way way of knowing. I know that isn’t exactly the answer you wanted to hear, and I’m sorry about that. What we can do, however, is throw some wild speculation out there. Everyone else is doing it, so why not?

Below are some potential theories about Derek Falvey and what he will bring to the Twins.

Theory One: Derek Falvey is the entire brains behind the Indians, and he’s going to save the Twins.

Falvey started working in the Indians front office as a intern in 2007, at which time he was approximately 23 or 24 years old. I have no idea what his duties as an intern actually consisted of, but in this scenario we’re just going to assume he was somewhat like Wesley Crusher during the first season of Star Trek: the Next Generation.

For those of you who have not watched Star Trek: TNG, first of all, why? Second of all, the writers had this strange propensity during the show’s first season to make Wesley Crusher—a young teen who was promoted to work on the bridge because his Mom was the chief medical officer—end up saving everyone’s ass on the Enterprise all the time. It was totally unrealistic, but then Wesley Crusher left the ship to go to school and Captain Picard was firmly back in control. Then it was totally realistic.

So, best case scenario, Derek Falvey is the Indians’ Wesley Crusher. At least the Wesley Crusher during the first season of Star Trek: TNG, not the lame one who’s on Big Bang Theory all the time.

Sorry, not sorry.

Theory Two: Derek Falvey is a freaking free-loader

Derek freaking Falvey got to intern with the Indians when he was 23 or 24 years old. I was working a damn $12 an hour student job at my law school when I was that age—and I never even actually became a lawyer! (Side note: Thinking of going to law school? Don’t. But seriously, reach out to me about it if you really want to.)

I don’t want to be a sob story here, because I’m not one. Just saying—I do think there is something behind those complaints that baseball executives these days are mostly white, male interns who came from families wealthy enough to support them through completely non-paying internships.

Theory Three: Derek Falvey is a human somewhere in between genius and a freeloader.

Despite only being 33 years old, Falvey has a good track record. Hell, look at where the Indians are now! Although he is probably not all to credit for the Indians’ success, I think he was a big part.

As Peter Gammons himself has said:

“At the end of their season, [the Indians] will lose Derek Falvey, who in the words of the uniform staff ‘is the real thing, the next Theo’ to the Minnesota Twins as Chief Baseball Officer.”

Mark Shapiro has also spoken of Falvey very highly:

"He's one of those rare guys, who over a short period of time, has had exposure to every aspect of the Indians' organization. Which is a tribute to the culture of the Indians and the leadership that Chris and Mike demonstrate that Derek has been empowered to contribute across every area.”

So, what’s your side of the speculation?