Twins GM eyes Miracle's talent

By David Dorsey
Fort Myers News Press

As the Minnesota Twins continue inching toward a .500 record, the team's general manager, Terry Ryan, has spent the past few days watching part of his organization's future.

Ryan planned a six-day visit to Fort Myers in order to evaluate the Class A, Florida State League Fort Myers Miracle and to monitor the team's minor-league facility as the Twins prepare for the upcoming Major League Baseball Draft.

Ryan's visit concluded with watching the Miracle play host to the Sarasota Reds on Wednesday. He will return to Minnesota today.

Ryan talked to The News-Press about the purpose of his visit, the state of the Twins and the major-league team's future new stadium.

Q: What's the overall purpose of your trip down here?

A: I spend a good amount of time watching the game. I spend a lot of time over at the extended spring training program. Sometimes, I answer some questions from the staff. Sometimes, I give some recommendations to the staff. Sometimes, I just listen. Sometimes, I watch what's going on around me.

Q: Why do you spend so much time with the younger players?

A: That's the most important place, because you put in your foundation with them. If you follow it through at every level, you see a lot more maturity down the road. They're over there at 7:30 in the morning, and they're leaving there right about now (4:30 p.m.). It's very important what they do over there. They do the hitting. They do the weight training. They do the fundamentals. Then, they work on their game.

Q: What about here with the Miracle?

A: It's a lot different over here. Here, you evaluate them. Who's making progress?

Q: Well, who is making progress?

A: I'm not going to answer that. It wouldn't be fair.

Q: The Twins had a rough start this season, entering Tuesday with a 23-27 record, 11-and-a-half games behind the first-place Detroit Tigers. What are your thoughts on the season so far?

A: We're taking two steps forward and two steps back. One thing goes well, and then another thing doesn't. The starting pitching has been our main problem. It's settling down now. We were right there at the bottom of the standings in pitching. That's not our MO (mode of operation). Now, (Francisco) Liriano's doing OK. (Boof) Bonser's doing OK.

Q: Is there still a chance the Twins can turn things around this season?

A: There's time. We're closing in on that .500 mark. As long as we can get there soon, there's still a lot of baseball to be played.

Q: The Tigers have the best record in the big leagues, at 35-16 (through Tuesday). Are you surprised?

A: I'm not shocked that they're having success. That they have the best record in the league, that might surprise me a little bit. But they were about due. As long as they can stay healthy, they're going to show that they're a better ballclub than they have been in the last couple of years.

Q: After years of debate and trying to get approval, the Twins finally have plans to build a new ballpark. When will it be ready?

A: It will be ready in 2010. That would be nice if some of these guys (current Miracle players) could walk out onto that field. This gives them something to look forward to, and that would put them right on schedule.

Q: Will it be a hitter-friendly park or pitcher-friendly?

A: I think every club would want it to be neutral for both sides.

Q: Grass or FieldTurf?

A: It will be natural grass. That's the way the game's meant to be played. On grass.