Friday, September 14, 2007
RYAN RESIGNS, and
NFL "EXPERT" Picks - Week 2
Thursday was supposed to be just a nice, quiet off day for the Twins, and then news hit that the Twins were holding a press conference at 2:00 p.m. to announce "a major organizational change." Some asked me if I thought it would be the announcement of an extension for Torii Hunter or Johan Santana. I didn't think the phrase really matched up with that. Ozzie Guillen was just given a four year extension by the Chicago White Sox for being crazy and off the wall. Maybe Ron Gardenhire was being extended for a few years. But the word "Change" made me think that wasn't the case. My assumption is that no one would be fired. The Twins don't do a lot of that. I figured maybe Dave St. Peter or Jerry Bell had retired.
And soon after I was informed that the news was that Terry Ryan was resigning. My first thought was that that timing of that decision was just really strange. The Twins have a lot of decisions to make about five minutes after the final game of the year. Who would take over the reigns? Well, that was shortly answered in the most obvious decision you'll ever hear about. In the Twins organization, where building from within is king, it was obvious that Bill Smith would be the one taking over as the GM since he has been Terry Ryan's assistant for so long.
So the only question left was Why?! Why was Terry Ryan leaving right now? What there some rift between he and Gardy? Was he upset wit the Pohlad family? Was someone above him frustrated by his lack of moves to improve the team? Were they frustrated with his excessive patience and unwillingness to deal prospects, specifically pitching prospects, to acquire a bat? My opinion was really just that whatever we heard at the press conference would not be the full story, and maybe it wasn't.
I was able to view most of the press conference. After hearing Terry Ryan speak, and then answer follow up questions, it is hard to disagree with his assessment that he just needed to get away. He looked a bit burnt out and everything about his responses indicated that he was just at the end of the rope. He looked like a man who had done his job and knew he had done well, but he also looked tired. He talked of getting to spend the offseason with his family. The fact that he will be remaining with the team in a scouting capacity sounds like something he is really excited about. And if that is all the case, I say good for him. He, Paul Molitor and Tom Kelly can do a lot of teaching and evaluating with the minor league teams and players and certainly have their attention and respect.
So, one more question that has to be answered. What does this do to the Twins organization? Well, in my honest opinion, it does essentially nothing. Bill Smith has likely seen everything that Terry Ryan does as a GM a dozen times or more. He has been very active in contract negotiations and in discussions with GMs from other teams. The fact is that very little will change. It will be very interesting to see if Smith is more active in trades, specifically of prospects. It will be interesting to his his thoughts on roster construction and obviously on free agent's values.
Is this a good thing? Well, if you're looking for a site that is going to bash Terry Ryan, I'm afraid you'll have to look elsewhere. There will be sites out there that will reference the names of David Ortiz, Tony Batista, Sidney Ponson, Nick Punto, Rondell White (times two) and Ruben Sierra. Others will bring up The Trades; Eric Milton and his $9 million contract to the Phillies for Carlos Silva, Nick Punto and Bobby Korecky was a great deal. But of course, the big trade was acquiring Joe Nathan, Boof Bonser and Francisco Liriano from the Giants for AJ Pierzynski, opening up a spot for Joe Mauer. The signing of Mike Redmond to two two year contract was great. Giving extensions to Nick Punto and Dennys Reyes. Acquiring Joe Mays for Roberto Kelly. Signing Joe Mays to that four year deal. Jared Camp for Johan Santana? Acquiring David Ortiz Arias for Dave Hollins. Not offering Ortiz arbitration. Five players from the Yankees, including Brian Buchanan, Eric Milton and Cristian Guzman, for a malcontent Chuck Knoblauch. Buchanan to the Padres for Jason Bartlett. Drafted Mauer over Mark Prior. Drafted Justin Morneau, Jason Kubel, Matt Garza, Kevin Slowey, Michael Cuddyer and Jacque Jones. Drafted Adam Johnson, Ryan Mills, Matt Moses and BJ Garbe.
Big picture, Terry Ryan took a team that was at rock bottom when he took over and he clearly had a plan. The plan took about six years to accomplish, but once it happened, he has led the Twins to the playoffs four of the last six years. As you know, that has to be the goal of the GM. It's all about getting your team to the playoffs. Once there, it's all about luck and timing. Terry Ryan did that. He picked up solid middle-of-the-road free agents and traded them off for prospects. He traded his big name players at the right time and got a king's ransom in many cases. He made the team into a franchise that other teams want to model themselves after.
Now the last two years have been littered with some questionable free agent signings and unwillingness to trade, but that should not tarnish the reputation of Terry Ryan as a man who can build a franchise the right way, through player development. His unwillingness to trade prospects is part of who Terry Ryan is. It is part of what the Twins stand for, building from within. It is why Bill Smith has earned the opportunity to be the new GM.
I don't expect a lot to change under Bill Smith, but will he be just a little more aggressive in making trades? Will he be more aggressive in re-signing the likes of Torii Hunter and Johan Santana? What will he be able to do to address the team's needs at 3B and DH, and potentially CF? How will he construct the 40 man roster? Who will he let go? Who will he offer arbitration?
As much as I fully respect all that Terry Ryan has done for the Twins organization over the past 12 years, I am now intrigued by this (somewhat) new regime. I am curious how Bill Smith will do as the man with the final say on personnel. And before I forget, I am thrilled for Mike Radcliff who was promoted to Twins Vice President of Player Personnel. I wish I had known that yesterday before posting the Q&A with him. I wish Terry Ryan nothing but the best in this next phase of his life. I wish Bill Smith luck as he will need it in this Twins offseason that is very important in shaping where the Twins are going.
Change can be scary, but sometimes, maintaining the status quo gets your no where. So I'm willing to give this my full support (as if the Twins really want or need that!).
What do you think?? By the way, thanks to all of you who called or e-mailed me to tell me that I should apply for the GM job. I of course had to mention to you that Bill Smith had already been named the new GM, but thanks for your confidence. I literally got eight phone calls and 10-12 e-mails, so that was funny.
And with that, here are our Week 2 Picks:
WEEK 2
Seth Stohs Roger Dehring Kyle Waldrop Kevin Slowey Jeff Manship Joe Benson SethSpeaks.net Twins Minor League Expert Reigning champ, and Twins pitching prospect Twins starting pitcher Twins Pitching Prospect Twins Outfield Prospect Atlanta @ Jacksonville Jaguars Jaguars Jaguars Jaguars Jaguars Jaguars Buffalo @ Pittsburgh Steelers Steelers Steelers Steelers by 27 Steelers Steelers Cincinnati @ Cleveland Bengals Bengals Bengals Bengals Bengals Bengals Green Bay @ NY Giants Packers Giants Packers Packers Giants Packers Houston @ Carolina Texans Panthers Texans Panthers Panthers Panthers Indianapolis @ Tennessee Colts Colts Colts Colts Colts Colts New Orleans @ Tampa Bay Saints Saints Saints Saints Saints Saints San Francisco @ St. Louis Rams Rams Rams Rams 49ers Rams Dallas @ Miami Cowboys Cowboys Cowboys Cowboys Cowboys Cowboys Minnesota @ Detroit Vikings Vikings Lions Vikings Vikings Lions Seattle @ Arizona Cardinals Seahawks Seahawks Seahawks Seahawks Seahawks Kansas City @ Chicago Bears Bears Bears Bears Bears Bears NY Jets @ Baltimore Ravens Ravens Ravens Ravens Ravens Ravens Oakland @ Denver Broncos Broncos Broncos Broncos Broncos Broncos San Diego @ New England Chargers Patriots Patriots Chargers Patriots Patriots Washington @ Philadelphia Eagles Redskins Eagles Eagles Eagles Eagles John Bonnes Stick & Ball Guy Will Young Nick Nelson Josh Johnson Josh Taylor Twins Geek and mngameday.com Stick & Ball Guy Will's Twins Blog Nick & Nick's Twins Blog Josh's Thoughts Taylor's Twins Thoughts Atlanta @ Jacksonville Jaguars Jaguars Jaguars Jaguars Jaguars Jaguars Buffalo @ Pittsburgh Steelers Steelers Steelers Bills Steelers Steelers Cincinnati @ Cleveland Bengals Bengals Bengals Bengals Bengals Bengals Green Bay @ NY Giants Giants Packers Giants Packers Packers Packers Houston @ Carolina Panthers Panthers Panthers Panthers Panthers Panthers Indianapolis @ Tennessee Colts Colts Colts Colts Colts Colts New Orleans @ Tampa Bay Saints Saints Saints Saints Saints Saints San Francisco @ St. Louis Rams Rams Rams Rams Rams Rams Dallas @ Miami Cowboys Cowboys Dolphins Cowboys Cowboys Cowboys Minnesota @ Detroit Lions Vikings Lions Vikings Vikings Lions Seattle @ Arizona Seahawks Seahawks Seahawks Seahawks Seahawks Seahawks Kansas City @ Chicago Bears Bears Bears Bears Bears Bears NY Jets @ Baltimore Ravens Ravens Ravens Ravens Ravens Ravens Oakland @ Denver Broncos Broncos Broncos Broncos Broncos Broncos San Diego @ New England Patriots Patriots Chargers Patriots Patriots Patriots Washington @ Philadelphia Eagles Eagles Eagles Eagles Eagles Eagles Cory Hepola Vic Quick Wes Holtsclaw Howard Sinker Tim Kohlemainen LaVelle E. Neal WENY-TV KOTA-TV Elizabethton Star Section 220 Truth About Cats & Blogs Twins Insider Atlanta @ Jacksonville Jaguars Jaguars Jaguars Jaguars Jaguars Jaguars Buffalo @ Pittsburgh Steelers Steelers Steelers Steelers Steelers Steelers Cincinnati @ Cleveland Bengals Bengals Bengals Bengals Bengals Bengals Green Bay @ NY Giants Packers Packers Packers Giants Packers Giants Houston @ Carolina Panthers Panthers Panthers Panthers Panthers Panthers Indianapolis @ Tennessee Colts Colts Colts Colts Colts Colts New Orleans @ Tampa Bay Saints Saints Saints Buccs Saints Saints San Francisco @ St. Louis Rams Rams Rams Rams Rams 49ers Dallas @ Miami Cowboys Cowboys Cowboys Cowboys Cowboys Cowboys Minnesota @ Detroit Vikings Vikings Lions Lions Lions Lions Seattle @ Arizona Cardinals Seahawks Seahawks Seahawks Cardinals Seahawks Kansas City @ Chicago Bears Bears Bears Bears Bears Bearz NY Jets @ Baltimore Ravens Ravens Jets Ravens Ravens Ravens Oakland @ Denver Broncos Broncos Broncos Broncos Broncos Broncos San Diego @ New England Patriots Patriots Patriots Patriots Patriots Patriots Washington @ Philadelphia Eagles Eagles Eagles Eagles Eagles Eagles Al Bethke Bill Ferris JD Arney Mike Brasel Melissa Lien Trevor Born Al's Ramblings Detroit Tigers Blog Reds Reporter Fantasy FB Guru SethSpeaks.net Twins Junkie Atlanta @ Jacksonville Jaguars Jaguars Jaguars Jaguars Jaguars Buffalo @ Pittsburgh Steelers Steelers Steelers Steelers Steelers Cincinnati @ Cleveland Bengals Bengals Bengals Bengals Bengals Green Bay @ NY Giants Giants Packers Packers Giants Giants Houston @ Carolina Panthers Panthers Panthers Panthers Panthers Indianapolis @ Tennessee Colts Colts Colts Colts Colts New Orleans @ Tampa Bay Saints Saints Saints Saints Saints San Francisco @ St. Louis Rams 49ers Rams Rams Rams Dallas @ Miami Cowboys Cowboys Cowboys Cowboys Cowboys Minnesota @ Detroit Lions Lions Lions Vikings Lions Seattle @ Arizona Cardinals Seahawks Seahawks Seahawks Seahawks Kansas City @ Chicago Bears Bears Bears Bears Bears NY Jets @ Baltimore Ravens Ravens Ravens Ravens Ravens Oakland @ Denver Broncos Broncos Broncos Broncos Broncos San Diego @ New England Chargers Chargers Patriots Chargers Patriots Washington @ Philadelphia Eagles Redskins Eagles Eagles Eagles
Summary
Looking at the selections of the panelists, here is who the collective "We" think will win each game:
Sunday –
Atlanta @ Jacksonville – Jaguars 23-0
Buffalo @ Pittsburgh – Steelers 22-1
Cincinnati @ Cleveland – Bengals 23-0
Green Bay @ NY Giants – Packers 14-9
Houston @ Carolina – Panthers 21-2
Indianapolis @ Tennessee – Colts 23-0
New Orleans @ Tampa Bay – Saints 22-1
San Francisco @ St. Louis – Rams 20-3
Dallas @ Miami – Cowboys 22-1
Minnesota @ Detroit – Lions 13-10
Seattle @ Arizona – Seahawks 19-4
Kansas City @ Chicago – Bears 23-0
NY Jets @ Baltimore – Ravens 222-1
Oakland @ Denver – Broncos 23-0
San Diego @ New England – Patriots 17-6
Monday Night –
Washington @ Philadelphia – Eagles 21-2
Thanks again for stopping by this site. If you have any questions, comments or ideas for future postings, please e-mail me.