Minnesota Twins Manager Fired

The Minnesota Twins finished their 2025 regular season with a 70-92 overall record, their worst since 2016, when Paul Molitor & Co racked up a team record 103 losses.

It didn’t come without midseason consequence either, as the Twins offloaded 40% of their active roster, in none of the greatest trade deadline deconstructions in MLB history.

With Carlos Correa and pretty much all of their bullpen talent now elsewhere, everyone in Twins Territory entered the week wondering who was next on the chopping block. While the Pohlad family did attempt to answer some questions over the weekend, they spoke volumes with the axe that came down Monday afternoon.

Rocco Baldelli Fired

Monday afternoon, via team press release, the Minnesota Twins announced the firing manager, Rocco Baldelli, after seven seasons on the job, in which his Twins went 527-505 in the regular season and 3-8 in the postseason. The 44-year-old Baldelli led the Twins to three playoff appearances, all as AL Central winners.

In their prepared statement, team president Derek Falvey and the Pohlad family thanked Baldelli for his service and lauded his successes as Twins manager.

The Minnesota Twins today announced that Rocco Baldelli will not return as the club’s manager in 2026. pic.twitter.com/IgGgOMfhHI

— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) September 29, 2025

Although Baldelli will not manage the team in 2026, the Pohlads are still on the hook to pay his contract.

The Twins had initially picked up Rocco Baldelli’s club option for 2026 “at some
point going into the year,” team president Derek Falvey confirmed today.

So the Twins will be on the hook for paying that and their new manager’s salary next season.

— Bobby Nightengale (@nightengalejr) September 30, 2025

A STATEMENT FROM THE MINNESOTA TWINS

The Minnesota Twins today announced that Rocco Baldelli will not return as the club’s manager in 2026.

“Over the past seven years Rocco has been much more than our manager. He has been a trusted partner and teammate to me in leading this organization,” said Twins President, Baseball & Business Operations Derek Falvey. “Together we shared a deep care for the Twins, for our players and staff, and for doing everything in our power to put this club in the best position to succeed. Along the way we experienced some meaningful accomplishments, and I will always be proud of those, even as I wish we had ultimately achieved more.

“This is a difficult day because of what Rocco represents to so many people here. He led with honesty, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to our players and staff. He gave himself fully to this role and I have tremendous respect and gratitude for the way he carried himself and the way he showed up every single day.”

“This game is ultimately measured by results, and over the past two seasons we did not reach the goals we set. I take personal responsibility for that. After discussions with ownership, we determined that this is the right moment for a change in voice and direction. This decision is not a reflection of Rocco’s effort or leadership. It reflects where we are as an organization and the belief that a different voice is needed to help us move forward.

“I am deeply grateful to Rocco, Allie, and their family for everything they have contributed to the Twins. His impact extends well beyond wins and losses, and it will remain part of this organization for years to come.”

“After ongoing internal discussions, we believe this is the right time for a change in leadership of our Major League team. These decisions are never easy, particularly given the respect we have for Rocco,” said club Executive Chair Joe Pohlad. “He led with professionalism and care for both his players and our organization, and we are grateful for the way Rocco represented the Twins. Rocco, Allie and their children will always be part of the Twins family, and we wish them the very best moving forward.”

Minnesota Twins Statement on Rocco Baldelli firing

Rocco Baldelli was named the 14th manager in team history on October 25, 2018 and walks away with the third-most wins of any Minnesota Twins manager ever — according to the press release — behind only Tom Kelly (1,140-1,244) and Ron Gardenhire (1,068-1,039).

The Twins also won their first playoff game in over a decade, under Baldelli, and their first series in twice that. Also according to the release, team president Derek Falvey and general manager Jeremy Zoll “will immediately begin their search for a new manager”.

Rocco Baldelli becomes MN Twins fall guy

Obviously, this move is not a surprise. After two-straight failed seasons, fans, media, players, executives and ownership are looking for a scapegoat, and Rocco is the easy target. Fans are celebrating on various social medias, and I don’t blame them. Sometimes, you just need a head to put on that stick.

But personally, this move does nothing for me. I’m not convinced Baldelli was helping the cause at 1 Twins Way, but he was far from that organization’s biggest problem. Unfortunately, the root issue cannot be fixed, being it lies within ownership.

If you are hoping that the next manager will suddenly make the Twins’ product on the field look remarkably different, I’d consider adjusting those expectations. More than likely, Derek Falvey will go out and hire another manager who thinks similarly to those in the Minnesota Twins analytics department, just like Rocco did.