Twins Insider Names Possible Rocco Baldelli Replacements
The Minnesota Twins were almost guaranteed to fire Rocco Baldelli on Monday. That decision was likely made back in July when the front office, mandated by ownership, sent nearly 40% of the roster packing.
Someone had to take the fall for a 92-loss season. Ownership already decided to halt the sale of the team and instead invite new limited partners to buy down their debt. Derek Falvey was recently promoted to one of the highest ranking front office roles across the sport. Fault wasn’t going to be felt there.
With Baldelli being ousted though, the powers at the top must now find a new name. There have been candidates discussed previously, but we’re now starting to see some floated by local sources.
Bobby Nightengale offers new names for MN Twins manager role
Earlier this summer Buster Olney highlighted some candidates that could be considered to take over a vacancy at manager for the Minnesota Twins. Easy ties are made to former hitting coach James Rowson, and former bench coach Derek Shelton. The Star Tribune’s Bobby Nightengale mentions both of them as well.
The more intriguing names are those that hadn’t been previously considered or stated publicly. Seven of those exist in Nightengale’s mind.
| Name | Position | Franchise |
|---|---|---|
| Brandon Hyde | Former Manager | Baltimore Orioles |
| Skip Schumacher | Senior Adviser | Texas Rangers |
| Craig Albernaz | Associate Manager | Cleveland Guardians |
| Torii Hunter | Special Assistant | Los Angeles Angels |
| David Bell | Assistant General Manager | Toronto Blue Jays |
| Davis Ross | Former Manager | Chicago Cubs |
| George Lombard | Bench Coach | Detroit Tigers |
Of them, there are four former managers. Skip Schumacher seems to be in line for the Texas Rangers job after they parted ways with future Hall of Famer Bruce Bochy. Both Hyde and Ross were out of the dugout and clubhouse this season. Bell formerly managed the Cincinnati Reds, and his brother Mike was the Twins bench coach in 2020 prior to his death.
Albernaz is a name that ESPN has also brought up, along with Kai Correa, as potential matches from the Guardians franchise. Falvey’s connections there continue to run deep, and he could look to poach from the AL Central Division champions.
Lombard was a candidate for the White Sox managerial job last season. Speaking of the White Sox, former Twins catcher Drew Butera was released from their coaching staff on Monday, and could be a candidate as well. So too could current bench coach Jayce Tingler.
Of the names Nightengale mentions though, it’s Torii Hunter that continues to generate some real steam.
Torii Hunter as the Minnesota Twins manager?
Hunter played 19 years at the Major League level. He has yet to manage in any capacity, but has worked in a coaching capacity with both the Twins and the Angels. At 50 years old, he could be the next former player to immediately step into the role.
The Twins Hall of Famer, a five-time All-Star and nine-time Gold Glove winner, has expressed interest in managing. Hunter, 50, was a popular player inside and outside the clubhouse, and he’s worked as a special assistant in the Los Angeles Angels front office for the last two years. Hunter, who works with Twins third baseman Royce Lewis during the offseason, interviewed to be the Angels manager in 2023.
Bobby Nightengale – Star Tribune
Rocco Baldelli was seen as a player’s manager and typically a firing then swings the pendulum the other way. I’d guess Hunter would fall more in line as a player’s manager as well, but shouting and yelling can fall on deaf ears.
The reality is that great managers can carry messages between the front office and roster while effectively communicating in a way both sides are receptive to hearing. Hunter has the experience working with both sides, and he has been an integral part of generating positive clubhouse cultures as well.
Although Hunter does not have previous managerial experience, his fit is one that continues to gain steam.
Torii Hunter or Justin Morneau are the only right answers. https://t.co/YGgtoJfRuT
— Coach Trev (@trevorplouffe) September 29, 2025
torii hunter pic.twitter.com/z8MBuJrHAa
— parker hageman (@HagemanParker) September 30, 2025
The last series against the Angels, Torii Hunter was in the dugout for Los Angeles and comments were made about getting him back involved at the highest level for the Twins.
— Ted (@tlschwerz) September 30, 2025
I don't really care about previous managerial experience, and I'd prefer not to hire a retread.
If…
Going with Hunter would be taking a risk. The Cleveland Guardians did so with a 39-year-old Stephen Vogt last season though, and he won 92 games while finishing first in the division. This season they repeated, and overcame a 12.5 game deficit to chase down the Detroit tigers.
Previous experience shouldn’t be the lone determining factor, and Hunter has been intrigued by different managerial jobs previously. He’s currently engrained in the Angels system, and makes sense as a successor to Ron Washington. Minnesota may be best served to poach him first.
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