Bringing back Molitor

Two beat writers, two tweets:

From @LaVelleNeal:  Paul Molitor will return to manage Twins https://t.co/Gjsh1XFHx6 pic.twitter.com/33R54lf6NN

— Star Tribune Sports (@StribSports) October 5, 2017

I'm told Paul Molitor has indeed been invited back for 2018, but source w/direct knowledge says "nothing has been decided or agreed to" yet.

— Mike Berardino (@MikeBerardino) October 5, 2017

The Strib tweet is more defenitive, but the Neal story -- like Berardino's -- notes that there were unresolved details Thursday night.

Managerial agreements have been known to derail over salary, coaching staff and authority, and  the second may be in play here:

Molitor, plus his coaches were at Target Field today. Sense remains that full status quo with everyone back is unlikely. #mntwins

— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) October 5, 2017

If Falvine is demanding a coaching staff change with Molitor resisting, my guess is that the tug-of-war involves pitching coach Neil Allen. Derek Falvey played a particular role in Cleveland in their pitching development process, and he is soon to be free to raid his old organization (the agreement to let him come to Minnesota included a one-year ban on the Twins hiring Cleveland personnel). I would be astounded if he didn't raid that organization for a pitching guru or two or three.

The Twins have created openings in their minor league system by dismissing minor league pitching coordinator Eric Rasmussen, and one report suggests they will split that role into two positions, one for the high minors (Double and Triple A) and one for low minors/rehab. So even if Allen is kept on, there are ways for Falvey to cross pollinate the Twins system with Cleveland's.