MINNEAPOLIS -- Despite the stereotype that analytically-driven front offices value numbers over the human element, new Twins chief baseball officer Derek Falvey and general manager Thad Levine both said improving clubhouse chemistry is one of their goals heading into next season.
Falvey, in his nine years with the Indians, and Levine, during 11 seasons with the Rangers, both saw firsthand the value of clubhouse leadership. Falvey credited veteran leaders such as Mike Napoli and Rajai Davis for helping Cleveland stay loose on its run to the World Series this year, while Levine mentioned players like Michael Young, Adrian Beltre, Darren Oliver and Colby Lewis as veteran leaders that led Texas to back-to-back World Series appearances in 2010-11.