Sports Odd & Ends
The Minnesota Twins are now in Florida for spring training. Carlos Correa is back and so is Tommy Watkins, both of whom were the subject of questions about whether they would be back for 2023.
Correa initially signed a free-agent0 contract over the winter, but complications emerged and he eventually re-signed with the Twins. Watkins was oft-criticized as third-base coach at times during last season, but Baseball Operations President Derek Falvey assured reporters, including the MSR, that the team’s only Black coach would indeed return this season.
“I think he’s gonna have a similar role going forward,” Twins Manager Rocco Baldelli told us after the team’s annual media luncheon last month. He too heard the grumbling from fans and some media about Watkins, who was named third base coach in 2021.
“To be very honest,” continued Baldelli, who was hired in 2018, “if you are coaching third base aggressively and doing it the right way, you’re going to get criticism.”
On Watkins’ job security, “That’s not something that I’m worried about at all,” admitted the manager. “I think he makes very good decisions. He’s a vital member of our staff. I couldn’t be happier with the contribution that I get from Tommy on a daily basis,” said Baldelli.
“He’s a tremendous human being who I think brings a ton to our team in the clubhouse.” Minnesota last season finished 78-84, the second consecutive sub-.500 campaign. The manager got his share of criticism as well.
“We have the ability to win a lot of games,” he said. “I think we have the players and the staff to get us exactly where we need to be.”