Twins Let GM Bill Smith Go, Replaced with Former GM Terry Ryan

This was bound to happen. When a team loses 99 games one year after winning the division title, someone must be held accountable, and that someone for the Minnesota Twins is apparently GM Bill Smith. On Monday afternoon the Twins fired GM Bill Smith and replaced him on an interim basis with his predecessor Terry Ryan.

Smith was GM for the Twins from October 1, 2007 until November 7, 2011, four years and a month on the job. Smith’s moves did not bring much in return. He traded Cy Young award winner Johan Santana for virtually nothing in return, then All-Star pitcher Matt Garza with little to show for it, before last season he dealt J.J. Hardy who went on to have a big season, and mid-way through the season traded Delmon Young to the division rival Detroit Tigers.

Smith’s moves have obviously not gotten the Twins where they wanted to be. In his tenure as GM, the Twins won two division titles, but never got past the first round of the American League playoffs. The two other seasons under Smith’s reign, the Twins didn't make the postseason, including this past season’s 99-loss fiasco.

Smith was seen as the heir apparent to Terry Ryan, after being his assistant for many years. This obviously wasn't the case now that Smith’s replacement is his old boss Ryan.

Terry Ryan was the general manager of the Twins from 1994 to 2007, when he stepped down. Ryan was loved by fans, and he was known for building up the team’s minor league systems. Ryan turned the team around from its horrible seasons in the mid- to late-90's to the team that is usually always in the division race. In fact, the Twins won the division four times in Ryan’s last five seasons as GM.

The power has shifted back to the old reliable Terry Ryan. Last time he took over the team it took eight years to win a division title. Twins fans hope it doesn't take that long again.