Twins GM warms up Central Connecticut with hot stove talk

Published on January 22, 2004 under Eastern League (EL1)
New Britain Rock Cats News Release


FARMINGTON -- Minnesota Twins vice president and general manager Terry Ryan was the guest speaker at the second annual Rock Cats hot stove luncheon at the Farmington Marriott on Friday, January 16.

Ryan talked about the Twins' chances of winning their third consecutive American League Central Division Championship. "We are going to try and three-peat and to do that we're going to have a lot of things to come together," Ryan said.

The Twins have had a transitional winter, trading All-Star catcher A.J. Pierzynski and left-handed pitcher Eric Milton and losing LaTroy Hawkins and Eddie Guardado to free agency.

"I can't ever remember making so many moves in a short amount of time like we've done in the past couple of months," Ryan said.

The Twins GM is confident that his club will make noise within the division with the help of some former Rock Cats.

"We are pretty good around the diamond and most of these guys are ex-Rock Cats in Corey Koskie, Cristian Guzman, Luis Rivas, Doug Mientkiewicz, Matt LeCroy and Joe Mauer," Ryan said.

The Rock Cats and Twins have an excellent working relationship.

"We've got a tremendous situation here," Ryan said. "We are in a state-of-the-art facility, we've got a good playing surface, we have great attendance, we have community involvement, promotions and a track record of winning. This relationship has been a tremendous marriage."

Minnesota likes to have its Double-A affiliate in the Eastern League because of the various weather conditions. Twins prospects perform in cold temperatures early in the season and then play in very warm conditions during the summer months. Playing in the northeast gets the farmhands ready for major league cities such as Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, Boston, New York and Baltimore.

Over the past several years, numerous players have graduated from the Rock Cats to the major leagues, including some household names.

"We are starting to build a reputation with this city (New Britain)," Ryan said. "I know we are in the middle of Red Sox and Yankees territory, but I think a lot of people here check the box scores and see what the Minnesota Twins do on a daily basis. We have more and more players that you see that have come through New Britain filtered all around the big leagues, that's a pretty good sign we are doing something right."

The Twins put a strong emphasis on the draft and development instead of signing top priced free agents.

"We've got payroll responsibilities and I'm not going to go out and get a high-profile free agent," Ryan said. "We always rely on the people that come from New Britain. I get an opportunity to travel to New Britain twice per year to make sure I have an idea on what's coming (to Minnesota). I tell our owner not to spend money where we don't need to spend money."

Minnesota has seven of the top 100 picks in the upcoming June draft which means the future looks bright for the Rock Cats.

Although the Twins lost some key players this winter, Minnesota should be favored to win its third straight American League Central Division Championship.

"I've got a job to do and I've always taken a lot of pride in doing it," Ryan said. "I have not been one to make many excuses about money and what the Yankees do and Boston does. They have there own little world and I've got mine but ultimately it all depends on who plays in October and we've done that the last couple of years."

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Eastern League Stories from January 22, 2004


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central