For Twins, History Shows, A Change At The Top May Help

With the Twins starting 7-20 thus far in 2012, coming off a 99-loss season in 2011, many people, myself included, have been advocating for a change in leadership.  I know I am in the minority on this, but I do believe the time has come for the Twins to explore a regime change in the dugout.  Ron Gardenhire has run his course, and my fear is that if a change is not made, that course may continue to run the Twins further into a hole that may be very difficult to climb out of in the near future.

Saying that he needs to be relieved of his managerial duties is not to say that Ron Gardenhire is a bad person.  It's also not to say that he hasn't done some very good things for this franchise.  But often times a strong sense of loyalty from upper management is something that can hinder the future development of the organization.

Many "experts" have said that it would be unreasonable to call for Gardenhire's head, making the excuse that "he's only able to do so much with what he's given."  Sadly, those "experts", in my opinion, are losing focus on exactly what it means to "manage" and "coach".  Quite honestly, managers and coaches are paid to do what their titles imply.  To pawn off a team's poor record and performance on the talent of the players ultimately implies that it really doesn't matter who is at the helm, if you don't have good players, you'll never succeed.  Frankly, this is a cop out.

Recent history may show us that a change at the top may actually be what's needed to help move the organization into a new and better direction.

• In July of 2010, the Arizona Diamondbacks made a managerial change, firing manager A.J. Hinch after going 89-123 (.420) in a season and a half.  That season, prior to being fired, Hinch amassed a 31-48 record (.392).  Replacing Hinch in July was first-time manager Kirk Gibson.  Thus far, in just about two seasons as Arizona's skipper, Gibson has turned the D-Backs around, leading them to a 142-132 record since being hired (.518), reaching the playoffs for the first time in 2011.

• May of 2009 brought an end to Clint Hurdle's tenure as manager of the Colorado Rockies.  In Hurdle's final season and a half, he had a combined record of 92-116 (.442).  Hurdle was replaced by new manager Jim Tracy on May 29th of 2009.  At the time Tracy took over, the Rockies had a record of 18-28 (.391).  By season's end, Tracy had completely turned the Rockies around, leading them to an improbable Wild Card run.  Since taking over for Hurdle, Tracy's overall record with Colorado is 242-225 (.518).

• The end of the 2010 season saw the Milwaukee Brewers make a change, as they opted to not bring back incumbent manager Ken Macha, instead electing to go with Ron Roenicke.  Macha managed only two seasons in Milwaukee, leaving with a combined record of 157-167 (.485).  In his final season, Macha led the Brewers to a 77-85 record (.488).  In Roenicke's first season at the Brewer's helm in 2011, the team finished 96-66 (.593) and lost to the St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Championship Series.

• Back in 2006, the Texas Rangers struggled with manager Buck Showalter leading the team.  Showalter's final two seasons in Texas saw the Rangers win a total of 159 games while losing 165, a win percentage of .491.  After that season, the Rangers let Showalter go, deciding to give Ron Washington his first opportunity to manage in the Big Leagues.  Since taking over the managerial duties of the Rangers in 2007, Washington has put together an impressive resume, with a record of 445-393 (.531), and has seen his team reach back-to-back World Series.

Again, the idea of firing Gardenhire shouldn't be so much an indictment of his managing, but more an act to breathe life into the team, and hopefully bring forth a sense of urgency that appears to be lacking.  One reason it may be lacking is the fact that it appears a sense of complacency has set in with the organization. By not making a change, it seems the organization is content placing blame upon the players for the current failures.  In many cases, these are obviously players that the organization ultimately drafted and/or signed.

By drafting and signing these players, the Twins have shown them that they believe in what they can do.  By placing blame on just the players, it's telling them that the organization doesn't care for their success.

There's a saying I believe fits this occasion, and it goes a little something like this:

If you can't change the people [players], then we need to change the people [manager and coaches].

Has Cuddyer Hurt Himself By Waiting?

Free agent negotiations are strange thing sometimes.  On one hand, you have those players that decide to sign their deals right away, at the first sign of a suitable offer.  On the other hand, there are those that decide to play the waiting game, regardless of what offers are out on the table.  Neither way is right or wrong, in all reality.  They're just...different.

It's all a guessing game, when it comes down to it.  If you choose to sign immediately, without letting more offers come in, are you giving yourself a fair chance to make the most money you can?  Some might contend that signing right away equals signing too early, that the opportunity to consider other potentially greater offers is missed.  Some may also suggest that the first offer received may potentially be the best available, and consider it a smart decision to take it.  Yet others believe that letting all offers filter in, and giving yourself options is the best course of action.

In the case of Michael Cuddyer, the jury is still out.  Cuddyer received a 3-year, $24-$25 million contract offer from the Minnesota Twins a little over one week ago, thus far the only offer received, at least publicly.  Prior to that offer, there had been mild interest shown by a couple of teams, namely the Philadelphia Phillies and the Colorado Rockies, yet, neither have offered the right-handed outfielder a contract.

As the days went on, the Twins found themselves coming to a crossroads.  Do they hold out for Cuddyer to make a decision, hoping he elects to accept their offer and re-sign with the Twins?  Do they pursue other options in the outfield, assuming Cuddyer receives a better offer from another club?  Do they somehow find a way for both?

At first glance, it appears they may have chosen the second option.  On Thursday, they finalized a 3-year, $21 million deal with free agent outfielder Josh Willingham.  Willingham would be the right-handed outfield replacement for Cuddyer in the Twins' lineup if they are not able to re-sign the 11-year Twin.  Given the decision to trim the payroll in 2011, it doesn't seem as though re-signing Cuddyer would be an option anymore.

That being said, if the Twins are now out of the picture, where does that leave Cuddyer?  One week after the Twins made their offer, the Cuddyer camp is still awaiting that elusive "other" offer from one of the other interested teams.  Is this an instance of possibly waiting too long?  With Willingham signing for only $21 million for three years, has Cuddyer's value now been lowered in the eyes of other ball clubs?

Some people with knowledge of the Twins have suggested that maybe Cuddyer's decision to possibly sign elsewhere is not a money-based one.  The current direction of the team may also be a huge deciding factor for him.  Being 32, his drive to contend for a World Series Championship may be greater than any desire for a big contract.  If that's the case, then look for Cuddyer's decision to come much later, as contending teams put the final pieces of their puzzles together.  However, if the decision is primarily value and money based, then look for a team in the middle of the pack to snatch up Cuddyer to be a strong leader in their clubhouse.

One way or the other, we should know soon.