Insider Drops First Nuggets on Twins Managerial Search

The Minnesota Twins fired manager Rocco Baldelli on Monday and then held a press conference on Tuesday. Derek Falvey wouldn’t, or maybe more appropriately couldn’t, articulate what he was looking for in a replacement.

Of course it’s the manager that was made the fall guy for the failures of ownership and the front office. While neither directly responsible party is interested in holding themselves accountable, someone else has to take over and lead the clubhouse.

Thus far we have gotten very little in terms of what criteria the Twins are looking for in the form of their next manager. Some logical names have been floated. Now we have a bit more substance than that.

Darren Wolfson reveals notes on next Minnesota Twins manager

There are currently multiple managerial openings across Major League Baseball. Only the Texas Rangers have made a decision in hiring Skip Schumaker. Other teams have begun to interview potential candidates. The Twins are putting together lists, and local insider Darren “Doogie” Wolfson unveiled some substance behind their search.

#MNTwins manager search update: Feelers put out, including 1 w/ prior MLB managing experience. TBD if interview occurs, both sides still weighing. Hear Twins doing homework on at least 1 college coach + others w/ no previous MLB managing experience (KC, Cle. staffs included).

— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) October 5, 2025

Beyond just what he stated on his own, Wolfson fielded a few questions. He noted that his bet would be on someone without previous major league managerial experience. Of course, in true Pohlad fashion, that would come at a discount.

Torii Hunter, George Lombard, Kai Correa, Craig Albernaz, James Rowson, and David Bell are all potential names that have been linked and don’t have previous experience. It’s also not shocking that the Twins would be interested in dipping into the collegiate ranks. Wes Johnson was a highly coveted hire as their pitching coach, and he abruptly left for a more lucrative deal at the college level.

It’s genuinely a stain on the current state of the Minnesota Twins organization that a coach would be welcomed to interview for one of 30 big league managerial jobs and turn it down. Wolfson said one such candidate is still “weighing” options.

Part of the equation is that Minnesota will still owe Baldelli his 2026 salary. The option was exercised earlier this year, and they are now on the hook for that. The Pohlads have not shown any affinity towards spending money. Finding a way to save on the next manager fits their typical process.

MN Twins front office can’t miss on next manager

The Minnesota Twins just finished a 70-92 season and took away nearly 40% of the active roster at the trade deadline. This front office is more responsible for that reality than the manager ever was.

Derek Falvey and Jeremy Zoll, both promoted prior to the season, can’t afford to be wrong on the next hire. Falvey handpicked Baldelli, and he is escaping the same fate that the last leader did following a 90-loss season.

Minnesota could struggle to be competitive next season, but they are going to shuttle a significant amount of top prospects to Target Field. Whoever is leading the clubhouse must get the most out of the previous core, and find a way to integrate more players in the same successful vein as Luke Keaschall.

This may be the last pivotal move that Derek Falvey and those below him get to make. If he gets it wrong, then cleaning house has to be the only outcome.