Though the Twins have offered recently dismissed manager Paul Molitor a new position with a “likely” focus on player development (per The Athletic’s Dan Hayes), USA Today’s Bob Nightengale tweets that Molitor’s preference is to continue coaching or managing at the big league level. The 62-year-old isn’t likely to accept the new role within the Twins organization, per Nightengale, who notes that Molitor is still owed a total of $3.2MM through 2020 as part of last October’s contract extension. There are several other managerial openings around the league — Orioles, Angels, Blue Jays, Reds — for which Molitor could potentially emerge as a candidate if he does indeed rebuff the Twins’ latest offer. He also has experience as a big league hitting coach, and both the D-backs and Pirates have announced they’ll be looking for a new voice in that role.
More from the AL Central…
- The decision to move on from Molitor caught Twins cornerstone Joe Mauer by surprise, writes La Velle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Mauer, like Molitor, is a St. Paul native (the two even attended the same high school — St. Paul’s Cretin-Derham Hall) and spoke about his relationship with the Hall of Famer, who had spent four seasons as the manager in Minnesota. Mauer is mulling retirement after an emotional sendoff from his hometown organization — the only team he’s ever known — and said that Molitor’s dismissal will factor into the calculus. “There are many factors that will go into my decision going forward, and Paul’s absence as our manager is another thing I will be adding to my list of things to consider,” said Mauer. “He’s been an incredible leader and role model and will be greatly missed by all who have played under him.”
- Jose Iglesias bid farewell to the Tigers organization on Instagram today, and Evan Woodbery of MLive.com writes that it’s become increasingly apparent that the Tigers aren’t likely to pursue a reunion. Manager Ron Gardenhire bluntly indicated that the team is “looking for cheaper and inexpensive” as it looks to fill its middle infield voids. A return for Iglesias certainly doesn’t seem impossible — Woodbery notes that trade interest in him has been nonexistent over the past two seasons, which doesn’t bode well for free agency — but it doesn’t sound as if he’ll be an immediate priority for the club. Woodbery adds that Dixon Machado isn’t likely to be in the team’s plans, either; he elected free agency yesterday after being removed from the Tigers’ 40-man roster several months ago.
- The Indians’ final roster spot for the American League Division Series will go to Rajai Davis, manager Terry Francona told reporters today (link via MLB.com’s Jordan Bastian). The decision came down to the veteran Davis versus infielder Erik Gonzalez, but Francona indicated that the potential to utilize Davis as a late-inning baserunning threat ultimately outweighed the desire to have a true backup option at shortstop. The 37-year-old Davis didn’t hit much this season — .224/.278/.281 in 216 plate appearances — but he still managed to swipe 21 bases in a very limited role.
New role in Player development staff? Why not front office like Terry Collins, Pete Mackannin? Would he have said no? Isnt Front office role technically “promotion” despite firing?
Being involved with player development would be considered a front office role — possibly a more involved one than the “special assistant” and “adviser” roles that Collins and Mackanin took, depending on the specifics of the position.
Thanks Steve. Sounded like bench coach, hitting coach etc. I know I was mistaken, but wouldnt have blamed him for declining if that was the case.
“Special assistant” and “advisor” sound a lot more front-office, than “player development” which reminds me of the hitting/pitching coaches.
For whatever it’s worth Molitor had a lot of different ambiguous positions like that with the Twins over the years.
If I was Molitor I would go for the Blue Jays gig. A lot of young players coming up soon that he can work with. Bal seems like a dumpster fire (sorry Orioles fans), Angels have pitching issues and Reds lack several big cogs. Jays seem the closest to contending.
Plus Molitor did play in Toronto for a couple of seasons and was on a World Series winning team too, so it would be a little familiar for him and a good P.R. move for the Jays.
Jays are firmly behind 2 significantly better teams but they have the #1 prospect in baseball and bichette. The rays are right there too. I’d probably look at the Angels as an attractive opening as well. Their system is much improved and you still have trout and Otani. I think the angels easily win more games than Toronto next season. I like the A’s a lot but would it completely surprise me if they regress next year? No, not at all. They’ve gotten a lot out of journeymen starters and if that BP regresses a little bit they could be in some trouble. At least for next season. In 2020 they’ll have luzardo and puk to add to their rotation and hopefully have that sured up.
Agreed Jbigz. I guess your downvote was from an Athletics fan that hasn’t come out of hiding.
Jays won’t contend for the next two years. They will be bad in 2019 and will need 2020 to allow younger guys to develop at the major league level. 2022 seems like an appropriate time for them to get it together. As for Molitor, he may be too strong a voice for Shapiro/Atkins. They want an inexperienced guy or Eric Wedge from the sounds of it.
Of course Twins want Molitor sweeping up the stadium for 3.2 million. Cheapos!
J-Ma stop embarrassing yourself. You are done…..
Hardly embarrassing himself. He could’ve easily been done 5 years ago after what he went through. I’d say he’s a class act and is still an asset to the Twins. Even if it’s far from elite level anymore.
Maybe he wasn’t embarrassing himself but he definitely wasn’t the cornerstone they expected. For a team that doesn’t spend that contract was an albatross.
Check the payroll figures – they spend very respectably for a mid-market team.
Just over 50 million if you take away said albatross and the Volquez deal. Numbers don’t lie. The Twins spend like the Mets, reactive.
Please dont use Evan Woodberry as a source of Tigers information. MLive sports writers are hacks.
If only Iglesias could stay healthy. He’ll find a job easily but may have to sign as a reserve and will take a huge cut. Ultimately once his price is set, the Tigers could re-enter the picture.
How does his defence look?
Better than his offence (sic)
that’s not how you use (sic)…
That’s sick. I couldn’t resist.
This is how you don’t use it in this case (sick)
Hook is right!
Iglesias isn’t going to be a quick sign and may just be one of those guys left with a 1y deal. His agent is Boras.
With Iglesias having that 1 decent offensive season a few years back, think it will be constantly pointed to and his once outstanding range and arm on defense along with his age. Those will hurt his chances of getting a deal done quick and leave him unemployed until possibly ST unfortunately.
Unless the new position comes with additional salary to what he’ll already will be getting (two-years left of manager’s pay), Molitor doesn’t have a lot of incentive to stay with the Twins. If I were him, I’d check to see if the Blue Jays were interested in him as a coach/manager.
Go to Detroit as a bench coach. Gardy is getting up there in age and the Tigers might be decent in two or three years.
Gee it would be a disappointment for Joe Mauer not to come back because of the firing of Molitor. Mauer is so valuable with his 282 average 6 home runs and 48 RBI. Better bring Molitor back or face losing all that production.
come to the Blue Jay’s to manage where you won batting and back to back W.S. titles. you’ll be more than welcome in Toronto.