With the Minnesota Twins most recent trip to Atlanta to face the Braves, the team may find itself not only playing for pride but also auditioning for a potential General Manager candidate.
Rumors have spread that the Braves’ Director of Baseball Operations Billy Ryan may be a candidate for the Minnesota Twins’ GM spot.
This comes from USA Today MLB columnist Bob Nightengale who tweeted the rumor last week.
Billy Ryan, #Braves director of baseball operations, amongst several young executives attracting attention in #Twins GM search
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) August 8, 2016
Ryan has held his position with the Braves since 2014 and was previously the assistant General Manager for the Arizona Diamondbacks from 2010-14.
Prior to his stint with the Diamondbacks, he worked with the MLB’s Senior Coordinator, Salary & Administration from 2007-10.
Before that, he spent a year working as a scouting supervisor with the Cleveland Indians.
He’s a young guy, which may be an advantage for the Minnesota Twins in their search for a different voice in the front office.
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The previous administration of Terry Ryan and Bill Smith had very similar views as to how to run the organization and failed.
A younger option like Billy Ryan may be what the doctor ordered.
The Minnesota Twins have a very youthful team and it may be easier for them to connect with someone younger.
In a perfect world, this would end up being similar to how Boston responded to Theo Epstein as GM.
At the end of the day, it all depends really on how long John Coppolella will be the Braves GM.
It also depends on if the Braves view Ryan as a valuable asset.
Could they guarantee him more power within the organization and convince him to stick around?
Would a team with future talent such as Dansby Swanson, and current star Freddie Freeman entice him to not leave?
Perhaps, but that’s not to say the Minnesota Twins don’t have a nice young nucleus as well.
In fact, with the likes of Miguel Sano, Max Kepler, Jose Berrios, Byron Buxton, Brian Dozier and Eddie Rosario on the team, it may be even more tempting for Ryan to head north and mold together a true contender.
No doubt there would probably be some significant changes if Ryan’s hired. Also, I’m sure the job would come with the stipulation that Paul Molitor stays.
But for the most part, I can imagine Jim Pohlad would give Ryan almost absolute freedom.
Either way, it will be exciting to see what the Minnesota Twins do next with the GM spot.
And who knows? A younger voice to lead the way may be just what the right guy.