A couple quick notes
Posted on October 20th, 2009 – 5:06 PMBy La Velle
The Rochester Red Wings have announced that Tom Nieto has been named manager of the Class AAA club. Nieto, who managed Class AA New Britain to a 72-69 record this year, replaces Stan Cliburn, who was let go after the season.
Bobby Cuellar will return as pitching coach. Floyd Rayford will take over as hitting coach. Here’s the Red Wing’s release.
The Twins are expected to release all their minor league coaching assignments in the next couple of days.
Meanwhile, if you want to talk Twins, I’m filling in for the flu-ridden Paul Allen tomorrow from 9-Noon on KFAN. Phil Mackey will join me for awhile to talk about the Twins and Vikings. And there will be other treats as well. Tune in!
34 Responses to "A couple quick notes"
La Velle,
Why was Stan let go? It was his fault that the major leagues raided his team constantly, and that the A and AA teams weren’t developing prospects fast enough for him to field a better team?
I was honestly hoping he’d come up here and replace Ulger.
Is there any news on the major league coaching staff? Ulger has to go in my not so humble opinion.
I would also like to know why since Joe Vavra has become the batting coach (no I’m not asking for his removal), that the Twins don’t do any hit and run baseball at all?
What is a AAA manager’s primary objective? I’m sure they would like to win games and create a winning attitude, but beyond that what? Do they run their own program, or does the big club issue directives on what to do and how to do it? Is it to develop talent? Teach fundamentals? Decide who plays, how much and where? I suppose the simple answer is all of the above.
In other words, is there different objectives at the various levels? I’m not trying to be snarky, I honestly don’t know if anyone cares to jump in…thanks.
Anyone want to wager on Jeff Smith becoming the next manager at New Britain?
what’s your deal with ullger? funny stuff.
So this means Stan Cliburn is a failure? Is he through in baseball?
Does he get a retirement package?
And KFAN streams to us online users.
Thanks for the heads-up on your show, La Velle.
hey guys; I thought this article was pretty good on the trade rumors site.
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/10/free-agent-lefty-mashers.html
Scutaro will probably be out of our price range, but I like Felipe Lopez; wonder if the Brewers will re-sign him or not.
The reason he was let go is that he wasn’t doing his job, what his job was exactly is anyone’s guess. I don’t think they’re evaluated solely on wins and losses but I’m sure it’s a factor.
The Twins are obliged to their employees to internalize job performance stuff just like every other company. Even if they weren’t, they don’t owe us an explanation.
Nobody here in Rochester knows exactly why Stan was let go, but we do know 2 things: Stan was not happy that his twin brother Stu was demoted to pitching coach at NB after the 2008 season and no clear reason was ever given AND this years 2009 Red Wing club did not hustle and go all-out as all the previous clubs had in the Twins tenure. Personally, I thought Stan was “going through the motions” this year, but that may have been due to his mother’s death this summer. Looking forward to Tom Nieto.
Rochester Dave
anyone down in AAA that can work with Gomez and/or Casilla with their skills and the language barrier that is present?
Just picked my jaw up off the floor that someone in this organization actually lost their job……first since Dick Such in 02 in my count
La Velle great job on KFAN we need more Twins baseball on there!
“Even if they weren’t, they don’t owe us an explanation.”
Nah.
MLB is a government-allowed monopoly, a community icon, and a local governmentally subsidized enterprise. Legalities aside, the fans deserve some friendly communication from the FO in matters as this.
The article pointed out what a mirage Joe Crede is and why he doesn’t need to be brought back next year. He is terrible batting against left handers and with all the injuries it’s time to say “Thanks Joe” good luck next year with life after baseball.
Rumors that Mike Redmond might be named manager of New Britain next year are floating around. Wonder how much credence there is to it?
MAUER NAMED NEW MIRACLE MANAGER
Smith success leads to promotion to Double-A
FORT MYERS, FL (October 21, 2009) — The Minnesota Twins announced today that Jake Mauer has been named manager of the Fort Myers Miracle. The 30-year old becomes the tenth manager in the team’s 18-year history. He replaces Jeff Smith, who has been promoted to Double-A New Britain.
Mauer joins Smith as the only two individuals to have played and managed the Miracle. Mauer played in 128 career games with Fort Myers (2003, 2005).
The St. Paul, Minnesota native has spent the last two seasons guiding the Gulf Coast League Twins. In 2009, after leading the Twins to a first place finish in the GCL South Division (34-21) he was named GCL Manager of the Year.
“I am very excited for this great opportunity. I am coming over to a great league with an unbelievable facility and a very good staff to work with,” said Mauer.
The former minor league infielder compiled a two-year mark of 69-42 at the helm of the GCL Twins.
Mauer was selected by the Minnesota Twins in the 23rd round (677th overall) of the 2001 Major League Baseball Draft. His younger brother and current Twins catcher, Joe, was selected number one overall in the same draft. The two brothers played together in Fort Myers during the 2003 season.
“It really doesn’t seem that long ago that I played with the Miracle. I remember the great fans and atmosphere and look forward to being back in a Miracle uniform,” said Mauer.
In five seasons in the Twins’ farm system, Mauer compiled a .256 batting average with 82 runs batted in and no home runs. An elbow injury forced him to retire following the 2005 season. He accepted a job as a Minor League coach with the Twins, and in 2008, he was promoted to manager of the GCL Twins.
He was a standout at NCAA Division III University of St. Thomas. As senior in 2001, he set the University of St. Thomas season record for hits with 83, and is the school’s career leader in hits (243), runs (181) and games (187). He was inducted into the St. Thomas Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007.
Mauer makes his off-season home in St. Paul with wife Rachel and daughter Lauren Joann.
Joining Mauer in the dugout will be Pitching Coach Steve Mintz and Hitting Coach Jim Dwyer. Trainer Larry Bennese rounds out the staff for 2010.
Mintz, 40, will return for his second season as the Miracle pitching coach and 7th year overall with the Twins system. The 2009 pitching staff, led by FSL Pitcher of the Year David Bromberg, compiled the league’s second best ERA (3.18). Mintz played 12 years of professional baseball making his major league debut on May 18, 1995. The Leland, North Carolina resident was the pitching coach for GCL Twins 2002-05, Beloit 2007 and New Britain 2008.
Dwyer, 59, will enter his fifth season as the Miracle hitting coach and his 14th year in the Minnesota Twins organization. The Cape Coral resident played 18 years as an outfielder in the major leagues and is ninth on the all-time list among Major Leaguers in pinch-hits (100).
Bennese will return for his 12th season as the Miracle trainer. The Penn State University graduate is a five-time recipient of the Florida State League Trainer of the Year.
The entire staff returns from 2009, with the exception of Smith.
Smith was named the 2009 Florida State League Manager of the Year after leading the Miracle (80-58 overall) to the first and second half South Division titles. The topper to the season was the second straight appearance in the Florida State League Playoffs and third in four years. Smith departs with a 157-117 mark in two years as skipper.
“I want to thank the staff and fans for a great time these last two years. My family and I have enjoyed every moment of it and I will miss the first class operation here in Fort Myers,” said Smith.
The Fort Myers Miracle will open the 2010 season on April 8th.
“We have been very fortunate to have Jeff and his family with us the last two years. What he has done on the field is unquestioned, but he has also been extremely helpful enhancing the Miracle in Southwest Florida. We wish him the best and are excited to welcome Jake back to the Miracle family,” said Miracle General Manager Steve Gliner.
For Additional Information:
Gary Sharp
Media Relations Director
P: 239.768.4210
F: 239.768.4211
Copyright © Miracle Professional Baseball, All right reserved.
Visit us online at http://www.miraclebaseball.com
Miracle….Thank you for the update on what is happening in the minor leagues…. We experts here in Twins Territory do not have a clue of the whole picture, trust me, I know that from all of the expert advice that is spewed on these blogs.
Thanks again…. DocDon.
Well, they did fire Garrett Jones.
In addition…all the Twins have to do is contact Ben… He knows exactly what to do to bring a World Series Title to us.
lol
lol
Hey, LaVelle! I listened to you on the radio today! That was great! With your knowledge of baseball, football, (and those other sports), and your expertise at journalism and now broadcasting, you are the heir apparent to Sid Hartman when he tips over! That is, if you’d want to be.
Why am I upset with Scott Ullger?
The Twins base running is abysmal.
How many times have players run through stop signs, been held up instead of sent?
How many times have the Twins used the hit and run since Ullger was the 3rd base coach and Vavra became the hitting coach? I honestly don’t remember a single one in 2009, and 2 in 2008 (1 of which was probably more of run and hit than a hit and run).
This team has a chance to score more, and cause more problems with a better implementation of the speed the Twins have.
On that note my 2010 wishlist.
1. AN ACE Preferably Brandon Webb or Roy Oswalt
2. Chone Figgans from the Angels to be our backup plan for Valencia at 3rd base, and our starting 2nd baseman.
3. JJ Hardy to be our starting SS
4. If the economy is still tight on the free agents, and even if it’s not, and we can find some veterans in the spring… I want to see major league caliber starting pitchers and relievers competing for roster spots on this team.
5. I want to see Carlos Gomez in AAA, and have someone teach that man how to hit the ball on the ground, and how to work the strike zone.
I NO LONGER WANT CREDE SIGNED.
Thanks, medschoolmatt, for the link on your 8:40 am post.
Time for my 2nd Annual Beltre Push!
Geez, I hope the Twins have the payroll to sign him………..
“Why am I upset with Scott Ullger?
The Twins base running is abysmal.
How many times have players run through stop signs”
I wasn’t aware, that when a player runs through a stop sign, the fault lies with the stop sign.
I plan to use that defense the next time I face a traffic court judge.
I hope he will buy that theory.
the phillies added cliff lee and pedro after they were aleady very good. that’s crazy.
Jerry White is the base running coach, any issues in this area should be directed towards him. However, I also don’t care for Ullger as the third base coach. He becomes way to conservative if a runner gets thrown at home or third, becoming a station to station coach.
“I wasn’t aware, that when a player runs through a stop sign, the fault lies with the stop sign.”
~Silly, the coach is the one who refuses to follow protocol by not painting his palm neon red before each game. duh!
Stop signs? Stop signs? We dont need no stinkin stop signs.
What we need is that when a runner rounds third and heads for home, the on deck hitter holds up a yield sign, meaning smash the catcher and knock the ball loose.
“meaning smash the catcher and knock the ball loose.”
When L’il Nicky smashes into Mike Napoli (6′0″, 215#), the ball will not be knocked loose.
L’il Nicky’s melon, however………
good point sane… then the Puntz would become a real melancholy guy…. his head like a melon, and his face like a collie. 
Instead of a stop sign maybe they should have a suggestion sign.
a) just listen for the crowd roar
b) slide head first
C) keep running into the dugout
d) stay on 2b to be safe
