But after a records request at the school was fulfilled later in the afternoon, were finding that not to be the case at all. Travis Sawchik is theScore's senior baseball writer. Are you talking about Wes? The problem is not how pitchers are handled its that they dont know how to actually pitch. He could have identified relievers to trade for who he could work with and get the best version out of them. LSU baseball pitching coach Wes Johnson, who was hired Monday evening, has signed his three-year contract worth $1.14 million. The Minnesota Twins entered the offseason with a lot of roster uncertainty. And guys dont go on an off the roster 3 times a week. Seems weird, because its mid-season MLB, and the odd nature of the hire. No worse than a team firing a coach in midseason. But that accelerated this past week, and the aggressive pitch became an offer Thursday. Its actually hire time for NCAA. Related: MLB power rankings 2022: Best MLB teams in New York heading into July, MLB trade rumors: Latest MLB rumors in June, MLB power rankings 2022: Best MLB teams in New York heading into July. I wrote the comment prior to the addition of the pay section in the narrative, but for the college to pay twice as much a pro team for the same title coach is a tad unexpected, although not unheard of. And it's baseball, three. With this in mind, it makes it all the more unusual that Johnson would leave so abruptly The Athletics Dan Hayes reports that the Twins only learned yesterday about Johnsons negotiations with LSU. Hes just really happy for me. Next. EXAMINING LSU BASEBALL'S ROSTER:Examining LSU baseball's 2023 roster: Who is gone? During that same time, the Twins made more than 2x what all of LSU athletics did (football being the cash cow). Then asked seatmate Gio Urshela to read it, too. But Hayes also reported that Johnson never asked for a raise after the Twins tried to convince him to stay. The Twins are letting him out of his contract so theres no reason to believe that other teams would hold it against him in the future. Twins, their players, Correa. It will be interesting to see if this is part of an evolving trend. "You don't ever hear anybody on their deathbed going, 'Man, I wish I'd have stuck it out to see if we'd won 101 and not done what's right for my family.'". The Minnesota Twins were supposed to have a jubilant plane ride to Northeast Ohio. The big issue for us as fans is the position this leaves the Minnesota Twins in. Why do you think Fernando Valenzuela flamed out? An extra 400k a year and less miles pressure. The Twins were reportedly paying $400,000 a year for Johnsons services, a number thats in line with what a lot of college pitching coaches make. Good for him, man. We start talking a few days in advance, we put together a plan and we execute. If this is unethical what would you call pitching in the 1990s and earlier? Every single facet you could think of, he's been the best.". Higher expectations with having top talent. Report: Brewers, Brian Anderson agree to 1-year, $3.5M deal. Johnson, who grew up in Arkansas and lives there in the offseason, its a lot closer to his family then Minnesota is. Minn.; 2 to 6 inches in metro, Mall of America shooting death suspect and his mother arrested, Fire causes significant damage to church in St. Paul, Woman guilty of manslaughter in fall on baby in Brooklyn Center home, Instructor who showed Prophet Muhammad images sues; Hamline says response 'flawed', Game changer: Coaches kept a secret about St. Thomas' big arena plans, Reusse: Gobert deal nears worst-trade territory for Timberwolves, Burger Dive returns to northeast Minneapolis inside another dive bar, Meet the coffee shop owner helping remake a once blighted corner of St. Paul, Family of slain North High football star requests criminal probe of principal over walkout, joined the Twins staff after the 2018 season straight from the University of Arkansas, Lynx to play WNBA's first preseason game in Canada, will face Chicago, AP source: Brewers reach $3.5M deal with ex-Marlin Anderson, Purdy, Lawrence, Jones have memorable NFL playoff debuts, 76ers, Devils owners buy into Ripken, Cooperstown baseball, Live: Follow Twins-Guardians doubleheader Game 1 on Gameview, Trevor Larnach to have surgery, expected to miss six weeks, Five games, four days: Twins, Guardians open crucial stretch, Twins pitching coach Wes Johnson resigns for college job at LSU, Twins agree to terms with 12 international players, In bringing back Correa, Twins went where Giants and Mets wouldn't, 'My heart was here.' Wes Johnson didn't take a pay raise - [quote]I'd much rather LSU pay Wes Johnson a base salary of $380k per year than the $750k per year that was reported. According to his But to go from the major leagues the pinnacle of the sport to college baseball? I went to the College World Series a few years back when LSU was in. But this is hire time for NCAA programs. Just look to Cora/Hinch/Beltran for examples. The Athletic reported on Monday that Johnson was making $400,000 per year with the organization. FAYETTEVILLE -- University of Arkansas pitching coach Wes Johnson is leaving the Razorbacks for professional baseball. That fall ball really helped them last season. #MNTwins found out yesterday about the talks with LSU. Why not? Several pitchers were happy for Johnson's new opportunity, but sad to lose his guidance. Im going to say that Im 100% biased about this decision because I went to LSU, and have lived purple and gold for the past 50 years. What kind of power do you think MLB actually has? Johnson left his position as the Minnesota Twins pitching coach to come to Baton Rouge. He knows how to handle each guy individually. Report: Marlins eyeing Arraez as Twins renew efforts to shop Eppler: Mets' lineup deep despite losing Correa, Report: Marlins among few teams considering Chapman. Baldelli told reporters before Thursday's game that "the pitching guys have been doing a lot of talking together over the last four days. Can be a lot more satisfying. And yes, I get it. LSU poaching Wes Johnson from the Twins highlights how little MLB appears to value coaches. If Johnson was doing that much and making roughly $400,000 per season, as Hayes reports, theres a chance its the high end of what assistant coaches are being paid. Twins starting pitcher Joe Ryan looked at his phone and saw a message on a text thread with his high school and college coach. Shortly after arriving at their downtown hotel, the Twins held a mandatory meeting in the ballroom. He signed a three-year, $1.14-million deal with LSU, but that's before considering any incentive clauses, which can be sizable at the college level. He had spent his entire career in college baseball. Wes Johnson talked to rookie pitcher Jhoan Duran as teammates listened on Opening Day. I wonder what he is making as a pitching coach for the Tigers and how much he turned down to go to UM. Heck, TJ surgery has moved from an epidemic to an acceptable standard practice. Term sheet for new #LSU pitching coach Wes Johnson says he signed a three-year deal paying him $380K per year, plus postseason incentives. @Samuel unethical?? If LSU does not win and dominate pitching he will be on the hot seat. While a Twins source said pay and resources were not an issue in Johnson leaving, a coach leaving the majors for a college gig does put into question how MLB clubs are compensating coaches. Johnson left his position asthe Minnesota Twins pitching coach to come to Baton Rouge. It purely comes down to my family. The Minnesota Twins begin a massive series against the Cleveland Guardians today, and with the team just two games up, Minnesota needs these games. "There is the question of not just listing out things you need to do, it's how you do it, how you talk about it, how a player prefers to be prepared for what he's doing," Baldelli said. Its not like Johnson or the Twins were headed in a bad direction. Sad to say but his coke addiction probably prolonged his career. Beyond the plan, are we executing the plan? However, Aaron Gleeman and Dan Hayes of The Athletic reported Sunday that Johnson will be paid $750,000 per year at LSU after receiving an annual salary of around $350,000 with the Twins. This looks like an aggressive move from a perennially powerful college baseball franchise. Why would he leave a first-place team? Johnson was picking up in the middle of a first-place season and moving to Baton Rouge, La., to be the Tigers' pitching coach. The trades would have provided a viable alternative if the price to trade for Frankie Montas or Luis Castillo surpasses what the Twins are willing to give up. He is taking near similar money, if not less https://t.co/pX7dKdXK7V. I wonder how many professionals can make twice as much money teaching at a college compared to working in the corporate world? DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) June 26, 2022. Yes, LSU is one of the top programs in the nation, and plays in one of the top conferences, but still, it is, prestige-wise, something of a step down. Many on board the flight were still unaware of the news when the team landed in Cleveland at 8:30 p.m. TIGERS HIRE WES JOHNSON:LSU baseball hires Minnesota Twins pitching coach Wes Johnson for same role with Tigers. I dont try to play pitching coach, Baldelli said earlier this month. 2023 www.theadvertiser.com. "He's the best pitching coach I've ever had. Is this a case of the Twins being really cheap? "It's very unfortunate that a better opportunity isn't at the highest level," Smeltzer said. "He'll be around watching my bullpens asking me questions - not as much as Wes, but it's enough to have the transition be pretty smooth.". I expect hell be successful at LSU and continue there or at other elite college programs for as long as he wants. In 2019 at least nine college baseball coaches made more than $1 million annually while eleven MLB managers made less than $1 million. "That's when he told me that he had a great opportunity for himself and his family at LSU," Correa said. June 26, 11:03PM: Johnson will receive a $380K annual salary from LSU, according to the school, a modest increase over the approximately $350K per year that the coach received from the Twins. ET. Bullpen coach Pete Maki is expected to take over the lead pitching coach role from Johnson, but Twins officials have stressed that truly replacing Johnson will be a group effort involving multiple internal staff members. Their final start together was Tuesday, another six-inning outing in which Smeltzer allowed one run on four hits with nine strikeouts. To reverse course and head back to the college ranks for an assistant role is similarly unprecedented, especially given the timing and lack of warning. Johnson was leaving a good team to take the same position at a lower level, albeit at a school in the powerhouse SEC. If you know how to pitch, you dont need to throw everything at 100mph, and you dont blow out your arm. It also explains how colleges provide additional revenue streams aside from the base salary (which Sarris and Buchanan say is $388,000 for LSU) to make the overall package richer than what is publicly reported by the schools. Just my perspective though, but if hes happy, good for him, its the right choice. The Twins were reportedly paying $400,000 a year for Johnsons services, a number thats in line with what a lot of college pitching coaches make. It's unmatched. He said he preferred to go now and not wait. Johnson accepted Sunday. Wes Johnson has been an integral part of our organization over the last three and a half seasons and has helped guide our pitchers at the highest level, Twins president of baseball operations Derek Falvey said in a press release. "I sent (the screenshot) to a couple of the other guys, and other guys had just seen it, and it spread like wildfire," Smeltzer said. The first two posts regarding this did not have salary included. Im sure the cocaine had nothing to do with ruining his career. His former coach responded with a screenshot of a tweet from college baseball reporter Kendall Rogers: Twins pitching coach Wes Johnson was leaving for the same position at LSU. I didnt have tickets to their games but it still seems like half the fans had LSU gear. Guys are taught how to throw harder, not how to pitch. I expect that hes burned any bridge back to MLB by leaving a division-leading team mid-season. "It's the toughest thing I've ever done," Johnson said. The team won the AL Central twice and are currently in first place again. Also from Hayes, talks between the Twins and Johnson were more about what might make [the] job more appealing to Johnson, and he didnt ask the club for more money. Good luck Wes! By Mark Polishuk | June 27, 2022 at 9:25am CDT. In addition to the 100% raise, I have to think that recruiting and retaining prime 18 to 22 year old talent is a factor. I can certainly see why youd think this would burn a bridge; but, also consider the move couldve been mutually acceptable, or he left for personal reasons not discussed in the article, but the organization is aware, therefore it wouldnt have any impact. Certainly not a lateral move. I never learned this being competitive crap as a victory.. it may sell ticket but.. win World series no they cant even win a post season game or series. I give credit to Wes for helping turn a lot of meh Twins pitchers into pretty okay Twins pitchers. This just shows how much he must hate the Twins or Minnesota. Id take a demotion if it meant I was making over double the money. So why would Wes leave? Who is back? And you think he wouldnt have that as a big league pitching coach? Eno Sarris and Zach Buchanan have a story at The Athletic about the move, and what it possibly means for other coaches and other teams going forward. Wes base from LSU is $380G, but that doesnt include incentives or donor contribution supposedly $700G+ per as total package. Its probably a moot point though. ", The move has become more common in the last three years. Hes done that many times over for us.. Or Greg Maddux for that matter. 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