The biggest departure may be 27-year organizational veteran Tommy Watkins, who started with the Twins as a minor league player in the 1990s. He now joins the Atlanta Braves, leaving a base coach opening back in Minnesota.

Grady Sizemore hired as MN Twins first base, outfield and baserunning coach

In response, the Twins are promoting first base coach Ramon Borrego across the diamond to third base coach. Rather than replacing him with someone already in the organization, Falvey is hiring former Twins killer, Grady Sizemore.

On top of his first base coaching duties, Sizemore will serve as Minnesota’s outfield and baserunning coach, as first reported by Bobby Nightengale Jr (Star Tribune).

Grady Sizemore, who once tormented Twins pitchers when he starred for Cleveland, will work on boosting the Twins offense next year. Sizemore…is joining manager Derek Shelton’s coaching staff as an outfield and baserunning coach, a person familiar with the hire told the Minnesota Star Tribune. He will also serve as the first base coach.

Star Tribune

Can confirm the #MNTwins are hiring Grady Sizemore as their outfield/baserunning coach as @nightengalejr first reported.

— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) November 12, 2025

Sizemore was a five-tool talent with the Cleveland Guardians (then Indians), whose playing career was cut short by injuries. The three-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glover played 1002 big league games across 12 seasons.

He finished his career with a .265 batting average, .806 OPS, 150 home runs and 143 stolen bases, before he found his way into coaching, joining the White Sox staff in 2024, where later in the season he was named interim manager, posting a 13-32 record leading one of the worst teams in baseball history.

Lots of shuffling on Twins coaching staff

LaTroy Hawkins was a new addition to the Twins coaching staff, while both Borrego and pitching coach Pete Maki will be back. Sizemore has familiarity with Shelton in that the new manager was his hitting coach as a professional.

It was reported that James Rowson was a candidate to join Shelton’s staff as the bench coach, but that may not work out. The organization still has to replace Jayce Tingler after he landed with the San Francisco Giants.

It also remains to be seen what happens with the hitting coach situation. Matt Borgschulte was hired last season after David Popkins and Derek Shomon were fired. The former took the Blue Jays to the World Series, and the latter was just hired by the White Sox after a solid season as an assistant with the Miami Marlins.

Minnesota Twins hitting coach rounds out his help

Matt Borgschulte spent multiple years in the Twins organization before taking over as the Baltimore Orioles hitting coach. When the franchise decided to fire David Popkins and shake up the hitting staff, a familiar name made plenty of sense. Initially though, only Borgschulte was announced as part of Rocco Baldelli’s staff.

We have announced the following additions to our coaching staff for 2025: pic.twitter.com/LiU7cLhrc9

— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) December 5, 2024

Trevor Amicone comes to Minnesota as Borgschulte’s top assistant. He was previously employed as the New York Yankees Triple-A hitting coach. Amicone has earned sizable promotions early in his career and he blitzed the Yankees system as a notable name.

I have been told by multiple Yankees sources that Amicone is an exceptional mind and a good get for the Twins. That would seem to be reflected in his meteoric rise as a coach. It would be awesome to see him provide a quick impact with Minnesota.

After Borgschulte operated as a co-hitting coach for Baltimore, he’ll have two assistants as the lead man in Minnesota. Rayden Sierra is joining the big league team after working as the minor league assistant hitting coordinator. This is his fifth season with the organization.

Related: Do-It-All Minnesota Twins Prospect Pegged as Possible 2025 ROY Candidate

It remains to be seen how the message will differ from what Popkins preached. Borgschulte is well-respected by plenty of young talent already on the big league roster.

Hank Conger switches roles for Minnesota

Last season it was Hank Conger and Tommy Watkins on the corners as the Twins 1st and 3rd base coaches. The former now moves to the dugout and joins Jayce Tingler as his assistant. Conger, who has 373 games at the big league level playing catcher, will work with Minnesota’s catchers as well.

Twins announced a bunch of coaching hires and role changes.

Matt Borgschulte and assistants Trevor Amicone and Rayden Sierra are the new hitting group.

Ramon Borrego joins after being a longtime manager in the Twins farm system.

Rocco Baldelli's staff for 2025 and their roles: pic.twitter.com/IxNkWlu3s3

— Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) December 5, 2024

Ramon Borrego has spent 21 seasons in the organization and has been a staple. The last four seasons he worked as the manager of Double-A Wichita. He’ll take over at first base and work with the infield as well.

There was some thought that Triple-A manager Toby Gardenhire may be elevated to the big league staff. Instead it’s Borrego who makes the leap from Double-A. Wichita will obviously have a new manager for the 2025 season. Third base coach Tommy Watkins keeps his role and will work with the outfield.

Related: Minnesota Twins Sign New Flamethrowing Reliever

The next step of the offseason for Minnesota is to add talent. They may need to shed salary in order to do so, but roster construction is all on Derek Falvey’s plate.