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.

Rosas Affair?

Multiple reports are being filed tonight, saying that Gersson Rosas was having an affair with someone inside the organization. Here is one paragraph of a scathing piece written by The Athletic tonight. Other outlets, including WCCO and the Star Tribune have reported the same things.

With a handful of days before the start of training camp, people across the NBA were stunned by the Timberwolves parting ways with Rosas. It was clear the heap of issues, from office morale to the lack of success, had decayed the Timberwolves’ front office and sources say those were the driving force behind the move. But why now? In recent days, the organization discovered that Rosas, who is married, had a consensual  intimate relationship with a member of the organization, The Athletic has learned from multiple sources. It made several people within the organization uncomfortable, sources said. While this was not the reason for Rosas’ dismissal, it certainly impacted the timing.

The Athletic

WCCO’s Mike Max says based on conversations, Rosas is out for two reasons: a culture he created that allegedly was toxic, and for an “inappropriate relationship” inside the organization.

WCCO (CBS)

More details needed

Unconfirmed internet rumors name Rosas’ executive assistant as his affair partner. Who knows how long Rosas would have lasted, had his affair not reached Glen Taylor in recent days. There’s little doubt, however, that this was “the final straw” and why the hammer came down today.

We’ll wait for even more details to come out on this situation because there’s a lot to unpack. Even if it’s frowned upon by most, an extra-marital affair isn’t usually your employer’s business. Unless the other person involved is a direct subordinate, which appears to be the rumor here.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

The story was broken by The Athletic and has been corroborated from every other outlet since. Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations, Sachin Gupta, will take over as interim PoBO.

Just in: The Minnesota Timberwolves are parting ways with president of basketball operations Gersson Rosas, sources tell me and @JonKrawczynski.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 22, 2021

Minnesota Timberwolves EVP of Basketball Operations Sachin Gupta is expected to be promoted to the franchise’s interim head of basketball operations, sources tell ESPN. The Timberwolves are planning to conduct a broader search to find a permanent replacement for Gersson Rosas.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 22, 2021

What happened?

We aren’t yet sure what straw broke the camel’s back or what exactly sent Rosas packing. But local insiders on Twitter are unsurprised, apparently. They say the palpable dysfunction within the Minnesota Timberwolves front office was pretty well-known.

Outside of Darren Wolfson (KSTP) reporting on his “The Scoop” podcast that “things aren’t Kumbaya” at Mayo Clinic Square, there was little reported about a dangerous level of friction between Glen Taylor and Gersson Rosas. KAT’s obviously shocked like we are.

Both of us tried to tell folks it wasn’t the Kumbaya family feel so many wanted to believe. Wonder if Gers will even get the $$ left on his deal?!? Oh, so much to unpack!!

— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) September 22, 2021

Whoa, telling us that things aren’t “Kumbaya” isn’t the same as “things are so bad that top heads could be chopped right before training camp, including the POBO”.

— Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) September 22, 2021

There’s dysfunction everywhere. Hard to report some of the specifics in this case without on-the-record. But, and I know you listen, you’ve heard me mention some of the dysfunction.

— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) September 22, 2021

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan