Twins Management Addresses Season Ticket Holders in Town Hall

“We’re not broke.We’re bent.”

General Manager Terry Ryan and Team President Dave St. Peter addressed concerns, took questions, and spent over an hour talking about the state of the organization during an active and somewhat contentious Town Hall conference call with season ticket holders Wednesday night. Star Tribune digital editor and MPR Host Howard Sinker live-tweeted the Town Hall and was gracious enough to share his updates with the readers of Puckett’s Pond. Here are some of the highlights from his live-tweeting. For the full coverage of the Town Hall, I encourage everyone to visit his Twitter page here.

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Regarding the termination of manager Ron Gardenhire:

Ryan: Firing Gardy "was probably the toughest decision I had in my years in the organization." But he said it was right decision...
— Howard Sinker (@afansview) October 9, 2014

...and added that Gardy is doing fine. @TwinsPrez said management 'had a lot of different discussion' dur5ing 2014 season.
— Howard Sinker (@afansview) October 9, 2014

Regarding retaining hitting coach Tom Brunansky (a topic close to my heart):

Ryan: "You'd like continuity in any coaching position...So we're gonna give every chance, opportunity. if there's a guy our next mgr likes..
— Howard Sinker (@afansview) October 9, 2014

...I would have some input." Ryan adds Brunansky did a good job. On Arcia: He made strides and there's a lot to work with.
— Howard Sinker (@afansview) October 9, 2014

Participants were quick to bring up the hot topic; the status of the managerial search:

Caller: When can we expect a new manager to be hired. Ryan: Outside interviews in nexst couple days. "Gonna be a little bit of a process."
— Howard Sinker (@afansview) October 9, 2014

Ryan: "I'm interested in naming the right guy" no matter when that happens. "There are a lot of people who need to be talked to."
— Howard Sinker (@afansview) October 9, 2014

Caller asks if Latin players on roster will figure into choice of manager and/or coaches. Ryan says, "The short answer is yes."
— Howard Sinker (@afansview) October 9, 2014

On what fans can expect from the Twins in regards to free agency this offseason:

Ryan: 'I can't get specific. But we'll be looking at FA market. We did get lucky or good with Hughes." Hafta get Nolasco turned around.
— Howard Sinker (@afansview) October 9, 2014

Ryan: We'll be looking at who's out there. Have flexibility over whether to put lots of $$ in 1 guy or spread it out.
— Howard Sinker (@afansview) October 9, 2014

Of course, the topic of Joe Mauer was brought up:

Ryan on Mauer: "There's no reason he can't bounce back and hit for a higher average and drive in more runs."
— Howard Sinker (@afansview) October 9, 2014

Ryan on perception of demeanor: When a player like Mauer has a bad year he looks disinterested; when he has a big year, he looks calm.
— Howard Sinker (@afansview) October 9, 2014

The topic of Terry Ryan’s own performance was brought up:

St. Peter on Ryan: "I see a level of focus and respect. If TR was on open market, there would be no shortage of teams interested."
— Howard Sinker (@afansview) October 9, 2014

Final highlight of the Town Hall, the current state of the team & organization:

Ryan said team found ways to lose too many games through mistakes but that team was more enjoyable that some of the previous bad teams.
— Howard Sinker (@afansview) October 9, 2014

Ryan: "We're not broke.We're bent." Sez Twins made good decisions on Hughes & Suzuki. Don't 'want to punt' on '15 but it will be a struggle.
— Howard Sinker (@afansview) October 9, 2014

Again, these were just some of the highlights. I highly encourage you to visit Howard’s Twitter feed for additional updates from Ryan and St. Peter regarding roster, payroll, marketing, and ticket promotions. I found it to be highly informative. I will say that no matter how you feel about their answers to these topics and the others covered, credit Terry Ryan, Dave St. Peter, and the Twins organization for having the bravery to open themselves up to questions and comments. I don’t ever recall something like this taking place.

We at Puckett’s Pond will be covering a lot of these topics and more this offseason, so stay tuned!

Until next time….

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