New Twins GM Rob Antony, manager Paul Molitor compare notes as trade deadline approaches

DETROIT – Rob Antony and Paul Molitor have something in common: They both were close to Terry Ryan, who was fired Monday and replaced by Antony as the interim general manager.

Now that Antony is in charge, he has to quickly build a working relationship with Molitor. Neither Antony nor Molitor see that as a problem.

Ryan's dismissal took away someone Molitor has known ever since he joined the organization in 1995. Ryan signed Molitor as a free agent, named him a coach and hired him as a manager. Antony, of course, has spent 29 years with the Twins and has learned the game from Ryan. Both are bonds not easily duplicated.

While Antony and Molitor have known each other since Molitor played for the Twins, they nevertheless have been thrust into a situation where they have get on the same page.

"I think communication is important," Antony said. "Make no mistake. Terry and Paul had an unique relationship. I don't know Paul as much. I haven't dealt with him as much. I don't have the history with Paul as Terry did. But I have no problem communicating with him."

Antony and Molitor have had several conversations since Ryan's firing, particularly because the Aug. 1 nonwaiver trade deadline is approaching. Antony has spoken with several teams about potential trades.

"Sometimes multiple times a day," Antony said of their conversations. "Especially now because I let him know if there is something that might be coming around the bend or some players who might be moving so he can be prepared mentally and I can explain to him, 'If we do something with this guy, here's who we would bring up or we would be getting this back.' "

"I'm kind of happy for Rob in a twisted way," Molitor said, "because I know of his friendship with Terry and some of the awkwardness that's brought up by these type of transactions."

The Twins are expected to hire a search firm to assist them in finding a new GM. Korn Ferry, which was used by the Wolves before Tom Thibodeau was hired, is under consideration.

Twins starter Ervin Santana was about to throw a pitch to the Tigers' Victor Martinez in the seventh inning when a fan jumped onto the field, darted between the infield and outfield and juked one security guard to the ground. The fan then stopped in the grass behind second base, where he was sacked by security and taken off the field.

"Good job on the security guard on that tackle," outfielder Max Kepler said.

Santana said he was not distracted by the delay.

Molitor was a little concerned.

"It was a rather long delay," he said. "You can find humor in it, I guess, but I think with everything that goes on these days, my first reaction is to get the heck out of the way. You don't want to take any chances, I think that was confirmed by the tackle."

Righthander Neil Ramirez, who posted a 6.14 ERA in eight appearances, was sent to Class AAA Rochester after he cleared waivers Wednesday. The Twins called up Buddy Boshers from Rochester to take his place on the active roster. Ramirez gave up 15 hits — including five home runs — in 14⅔ innings of work.