Terry Ryan Gets Edgy In Twins Interview

Nov 4, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Twins manager Paul Molitor and general manager Terry Ryan address the media at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

On Paul Molitor cracking down with discipline:

FSN: Paul has talked about some of the changes in the clubhouse, even the things like the cellphone rule (where players need to put their phones away 30 minutes before the game).

TR: “That hasn’t changed. I don’t see any of that. That hasn’t changed. All that stuff is the same basically. We’ve got a few things that I think he’s tweaked on any policy. The cell phone rule has always been in effect. It’s a half hour prior to the game, we want them off.”

It has been noted since the hiring of Molitor that the Twins new manager would be more of a disciplinarian in the clubhouse. It is interesting to note that a cell phone policy, which was immediately brought up under the Molitor regime, was already in place. This begs the question as to whether or not things were enforced or followed when Ron Gardenhire was in charge.

Molitor has also talked about the music selection in the clubhouse, going towards a more appropriate song selection. Thus far throughout Spring Training there have been reports that everything from rock to rap has made its way into the clubhouse.

Nov 2, 2013; Surprise, AZ, USA; Minnesota Twins pitcher Alex Meyer against the East during the Fall Stars Game at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

On the Twins starting rotation:

FSN: As far as the roster goes, a lot of people are looking at the starting rotation. How many spots do you feel are still open for competition?

TR: “I would say there’s an opening. I don’t know if I want to get too carried away with two. We have choices here to make, and we have pitchers here that are in competition, which is good. We probably have more depth than we’ve had in quite a while. Whoever doesn’t make the rotation can slip back into the pen, so we’ll have more competition there. There are openings. I don’t know if I want to put a specific number. We’ll have disappointments here, and we’re going to have surprises and we’re going to have injuries. It always happens. There’s plenty of opportunity for whoever’s in camp here to possibly make this rotation, and then I think the bullpen will follow right behind that. We have choices.”

Another interesting answer from Ryan considering how he words things. Without a doubt having competition is a great thing for the Twins pitching staff. For the first time in years, they have depth and quality from a position they have severely lacked it. That said, Ryan quickly mentions the bullpen.

With only one rotation spot open, and roughly four guys vying for it, there’s still not room for all of them in the bullpen. Is Mike Pelfrey or Alex Meyer headed to the bullpen should they lose out on the rotation? Would the Twins really send down a 25-year-old prospect to start the season in Triple-A? There’s not that much room left in the bullpen either, and Ryan hits it on the head when he says that the club has options.

May 26, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Twins center fielder Aaron Hicks (32) fields a ball hit by the Texas Rangers in the 5th inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

On position battles:

FSN: Besides the rotation, is there a position group you’ll be keeping a close eye on this spring?

TR: “Yeah. I would say the backup catching situation would be important. We have three or four guys back there that’ll be in competition for that. Center field, we’ve got three or four guys that’ll be in competition for that. And the shortstop situation I think will play itself out, but no matter how we go there I think we’re in good shape.”

While the Twins have battles in theory, it’s probably fair to assume that the biggest role left up in the air is the fifth starter. Aaron Hicks should be penciled in to centerfield, with Danny Santana slated to start at short. Hicks is markedly better than those behind him, and after showing promise in his rise through the farm last season, the Twins would be hard-pressed to not give him one last chance. While Eduardo Escobar may offer more at shortstop, Santana should get the first crack to prove last year was repeatable (even if the level of batting average is not)

As far as catching goes, we’ll get to that with the next point. Pushing Josmil Pinto is one thing, selecting Chris Herrman or Eric Fryer over him for the 25 man roster is completely another.

Sep 28, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Minnesota Twins catcher Josmil Pinto (43) hits a single in the fourth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

On Josmil Pinto as a catcher:

FSN: What does Josmil Pinto have to do to take that next step at catcher?

TR: “The reason he didn’t stay in the big leagues last year wasn’t so much his catching and throwing and pitch calling and so forth. He didn’t hit. That’s what he was there to do. That’s why he made the club. So he’s going to have to do a little bit of everything to make this team. When we did send him back, I don’t think there’s any question his receiving improved. His framing improved. His shifting, blocking, hands, all that stuff, play calling, leadership, that improved down at Rochester. I think he’s going to hit eventually. He’ll have to carry some of that offense, certainly. We’re not looking to carry a backup catcher and not be able to swing the bat some. That’s kind of what he is going to have to do.”

This answer screams problematic all over it, and I’m not sure what Ryan is attempting to convey in his response. Did Josmil Pinto hit at the major league level a season ago? Not to the extent the Twins needed him to. Was that the problem he faced? Not even close. Much of Pinto’s hitting issues could be attributed to the streaky at best playing time he was afforded by Ron Gardenhire. While he was a larger liability behind the plate than Kurt Suzuki, he never was given consistent time to get into a rhthym at the plate.

That brings us to the first point Ryan makes; without a doubt Pinto’s catching ability is holding him back. He allowed 20 runners to steal bases without throwing out a single one. He had four passed balls in 25 games, that’s an issue. We’ve been over this multiple times and Pinto’s bat looks far less the problem than his defensive ability.

Mar 4, 2014; Jupiter, FL, USA; Minnesota Twins center fielder Byron Buxton (70) runs down the first base line during a spring training game against the Miami Marlins at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

On Buxton and Sano:

FSN: Speaking of injuries, Byron Buxton and Miguel Sano both missed most or all of 2014 with injuries. How tough was that to see those guys lose a whole year of development?

TR: “It was frustrating for them and us because we couldn’t develop Sano, of course. He was out for the whole year. And every time we got Buxton on the right path, he got hurt. They’ll learn, and if they don’t learn something from what it’s like to be injured, then that’s our fault. But sometimes that’s a thing that you can grow from and how to keep yourself healthy and when to do certain things and when not to. There is a knack of keeping yourself healthy. Sano couldn’t do much about Tommy John. I don’t want to pretend that it just was a fluke. Buxton’s were flukes. When he dove for that ball in Double-A New Britain, he was going to make a play. You can’t fault him for that. The broken finger, just unfortunate. But they’re both rusty and they both didn’t play much last year. Now they’re 100 percent and we’re looking for big years out of them. I hope they continue to grow and ultimately surface in Minnesota at some point. They’re both very skillful and have a good work ethic. They’re both good teammates. They both go about their business. I’m kind of hoping that someday this year that they do end up getting to Minnesota. I don’t know if that’s realistic or not; we’re going to have to see how they respond.”

There’s no doubt that Buxton plays all out. His style is conducive to injury much like major leaguer Bryce Harper. The Twins are hoping he can get beyond the injury part, and learn to play within himself at a high level as well. Although Sano underwent Tommy John, the worry is muted considering he’s a position player. That said, there should be no reason that both players don’t debut with the Twins in 2015.

Obviously Ryan isn’t going to put a definitive timetable on anything, but there are some real issues with development and progression if both players are with the Twins are some point this season. Expecting Sano by August and Buxton by September should be a worst case scenario.

Apr 10, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; A general view of a baseball on the field during pre game batting practice before a game between the Oakland Athletics and Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

On winning and turning things around:

FSN: After four tough years, how confident are you that you guys are on the right track to turning things around in 2015?

TR: “We can talk all we want about a lot of things. Talk is just about what it is. We need to get out there and get it done on the field. Until we see some of that execution, until we see how we do with the division — which is tough — there’s no sense in making too many predictions. Injuries have a little bit to do with it, but I have mentioned many times, our depth is better than many years. We don’t have any excuses. We better start getting this thing done, because four years is long enough. We’ve had some changes and we’re trying to get it right and all that good stuff. People are going to have to pitch. Particularly, we’re going to have to pitch out of that rotation because we started in a hole quite often last year and the year before and the year before that. So I’m not going to make any predictions, but I certainly feel good about what we have here. The character seems in order and our health is good right now. With that usually comes better seasons, and we certainly need to increase our win total before we’re looking at postseason, which is where everybody wants to get.

Ryan hits it on the head here and makes a lot of sense. The Twins haven’t been good, but the losing has to stop, and in 2015 it should. The depth and talent are there for the first time in years, and now it’s up to the ballclub to do something with it. Looking forward to the postseason shouldn’t yet be on the radar, but expecting to be in the race and make some waves is incredibly realistic for the upcoming season.

Make sure to check out the rest of the interview from Tyler Mason and Terry Ryan here.

Next: Positional Battles: Who's Fighting For The Twins Rotation

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