In a shocking, for me anyway, event, Twins’ General Manager Terry Ryan has decided to step down as the team’s GM at the end of the year.
Ryan, 52, won the “2006 The Sporting News Executive of the Year” and built the team that has won 4 of the last 6 Central Division Titles.
Bill Smith, who has worked hand in hand with Ryan on recent contract negotiations, will take over for Ryan at the end of the year.
Opinion: As a Twin’s fan this comes as a complete shock to me. He’s been the best GM in baseball for the last 10 years. Just looking at some of the trades he’s pulled off show how much ahead of the game he’s been. AJ Pierzynski for Joe Nathan, Boof Bonser, and Fransico Liriano. J.C. Romero for second baseman of the future Alexi Casilla. And his eye for talent was second to none. Johan Santana was let go by 2 organizations before he got to the twins. He as much as Torri Hunter or Kirby Puckett has been the face of the Twins over the last decade. Here’s hoping a lot of his skill has worn off on Smith.
Credit: twinsbaseball.com
