Minnesota Twins: Paul Molitor Expected Back in 2017
By Ron Juckett
After a horrible first half of 2016, Minnesota Twins owner Jim Pohlad wants manager Paul Molitor to return next year. General Manager Terry Ryan’s job will be reassessed.
Minnesota Twins owner Jim Pohlad expects manager Paul Molitor will be in the dugout in 2017. General Manager Terry Ryan, on the other hand, did not get the dreaded vote of confidence.
Regarding Ryan, Pohlad said:
"“Well, like anybody, and maybe I jumped the gun saying that about Paul, I mean we have to figure out what we’re doing wrong, what we’re doing wrong in the system. If that points to the need to change personnel, I guess I would have to say we’d look at everything. But there has been no identification of anything like that. We’re beginning to discuss the process of how we examine doing things throughout our system.”"
After an 83-79 record last season—Molitor’s first as skipper—the Twins have the worst record in Major League Baseball at 25-54. The highly touted Bryan Buxton sports a slash line of .194/.230/.331 in 44 games for and Adjusted OPS+ of 49. The only regular hitting above .275 is Eduardo Nunez at .313.
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No starting pitcher has a winning record or an ERA under 4.50, Ervin Santana’s mark. The rest of the rotation has ERAs over five and every starter has allowed more hits than innings pitched. Their team ERA is dead last in the American League at 5.14.
If you think the bullpen is better, think again. Former closer Kevin Jepsen has seven saves and an ERA of 6.37. Brandon Kintzler has three as the new stopper with a WHIP of 0.926. Glen Perkins, the top reliever on the depth chart, is out for the rest of the year.
In anticipation of building on last year’s success, the Twins brought in Jepsen and Trevor Plouffe to bolster the roster. Much was expected from Buxton in 2016 after a rough quarter season last year, but his numbers are worse. In 2015, he hit .209, had an Adjusted OPS+ of 57 while striking out 44 times. This year, in ten more at-bats, the strikeout total jumped to 60.
Minnesota has never been a team to spend money. Realizing good players need to get paid, Pohlad gave Joe Mauer a seven-year deal paying $23.8 million back in 2011. Santana and the injured Phil Hughes drew contracts worthy of a second or third starter when they signed before last season. The Twins are not as cheap as the Miami Marlins.
What has not happened to Pohlad and the fans dismay is any progress on the field. When asked if this was expected, he said:
"“No, nobody did. I know that sounds trite to all the fans out there, and any time there’s a season that doesn’t go well you can always say that. But I think everybody would agree that we all had, certainly the organization had, high expectations for this year and they clearly have not come to pass.”"
On the surface, declaring Molitor safe for 2017 after the team’s sharp descent looks off. In reality, the Pohlad’s show fierce loyalty to their skippers. From Tom Kelly’s hiring at the end of the 1986 season, Molitor is just the third Twins manager. Kelly stayed through 2001 while Ron Gardenhire managed 14 seasons winning six divisional titles. It does not hurt that Molitor is a Minnesota native and legend.
Drafted by the Twins in 1972, Ryan was the architect of the Twins from 1994 through 2007 and returned in 2011. He is a lifer. You are, however, only as good as your on-field results. If Molitor has the support of his players, then Ryan’s job draws greater scrutiny.
Next: Phillies' Howard Should Call it a Day
Sometimes, you can be too loyal to people and not do what is best for the team. That is Pohlad’s dilemma come this fall.