Report: MN Twins Legend in the Mix to be Next Manager

It has now been more than a week since the Minnesota Twins fired manager Rocco Baldelli. Yet as of Tuesday morning, we’ve had very little movement on the what they are even looking for in a new manager, let alone who specifically they might be targeting.

The Texas Rangers have already hired their next manager, in Skip Schumaker. Other possibilities have been making their interview rounds, including and former Twins All-Star catcher, Kurt Suzuki, who recently interviewed with the Giants, for their vacant manager job.

All we know about the MN Twins search, however, is that they’re apparently interested in cheaper candidates (shocker), likely someone without previous MLB managerial experience. But there is one realistic candidate who stands out above the others, especially for an organization that desperately needs to rally its fanbase.

Torii Hunter a candidate for Minnesota Twins manager

Torii Hunter is one of the most popular players to ever wear a Minnesota Twins uniform. Currently, he is working in the Angels organization, but immediately after Baldelli was fired, Star Tribune’s Bobby Nightengale listed Hunter as a potential candidate for the vacant Twins job.

On Monday, though, The Athletic’s Brittany Ghiroli took the Torii Hunter + Twins connection a step further, noting that the 5x All Star and 9x Gold Glove winner is indeed “in the mix” to be the next manager of the team that drafted him No. 20 overall back in 1993 and subsequently played 12 seasons with.

The favorite for the Los Angeles Angels’ job is special assistant Albert Pujols, as reported by The Athletic last week, though special assistants Torii Hunter and Kurt Suzuki are also in the mix. Suzuki also interviewed for the Giants job, while Hunter could be in the mix with the Minnesota Twins to replace Rocco Baldelli.

Brittany Ghiroli – The Athletic

Without the Twins making real steps towards hiring their next manager we have been left to simply connect dots. While it was previously suggested that Torii Hunter could be in play for the Twins, we now we have confirmation of that reality.

Could Hunter to the Twins really happen?

Hunter seemed like a logical candidate for the Los Angeles Angels once that job opened up, but as soon as Albert Pujols was mentioned, a larger name was out there. Pujols returning to the dugout would be interesting.

He is just 45 years old and retired following the 2022 season. Having spent 10 years in Los Angeles, there’s certainly equity established within the organization. Minnesota’s interest in Hunter makes sense. While he doesn’t have a specific or direct tie to Derek Falvey, he certainly is familiar with the Pohlads.

Torii Hunter…nine time Gold Glove winner. pic.twitter.com/K2Z1kEYYhO

— Jeff (@MNTwinsZealot) March 5, 2025

As a first time manager, it would be logical to assume he’d align with the front office and analytics department, for the most part, and certainly fit as the perfect communicator between the from front office and clubhouse. Hunter was a big part of the Minnesota Twins’ strong clubhouse culture, under Paul Molitor during the 2015 season.

Theoretically, that’s something he could bring back. Torii has also worked with Royce Lewis in the offseason, too. Obviously, getting his development back on track will play a big role into the success of whoever does take the Twins manager job.