In reality, however, his fall guy duties were much larger than that. He was taking the blame for organization incompetence that originates from the very top. Rocco Baldelli certainly deserves his fair share of blame, but he was far from the Minnesota Twins’ biggest problem in 2025.

There has been some interest around the league in Baldelli, since he was let go. But Rocco didn’t seem like he was in any big hurry to work again. If that was once the case, it’s not anymore.

The Winter Meetings are taking place down in Orlando, a yearly event that always spurs moves throughout the league. But on Tuesday, the Star Tribune’s Bobby Nightengale reported some rather surprising news.

Los Angeles Dodgers hire Rocco Baldelli

Not only did Rocco Baldelli find a new job, but he found one in LA with the World Series Champion Dodgers. That part isn’t all that shocking. What was more eye-opening was the type of job he is taking. Rocco is NOT joining the Dodgers’ coaching staff. Instead, he is being hired into the front office.

Former Twins manager Rocco Baldelli, two months after his exit from the organization, is joining the two-time defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers.

Baldelli is taking a front office role with the Dodgers, two people familiar with the hire told the Minnesota Star Tribune. Baldelli has a long history with Andrew Friedman, the Dodgers’ president of baseball operations, from their time together with the Tampa Bay Rays.

Star Tribune

Of course, a front office role can often be a springboard to another shot at managing. A local example would be the Minnesota Twins considered former MLB executive turned manager, Scott Servais, for their open skipper position, this offseason, before hiring Derek Shelton.

Imagine going from the Minnesota Twins to LA Dodgers…

Talk about a culture shock, going from the Minnesota Twins organization to that of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Andrew Friedman is one of the most respected executives in baseball, and the ownership group spends like winning is more important than breathing.

Let’s just say a change in thinking like that could take the former manager a little while to get used to, compared to working under Derek Falvey and the Pohlads. Speaking of spending on talent, the Dodgers just signed closer Edwin Diaz today.

Edwin Diaz and the Los Angeles Dodgers are in agreement on a deal, league source tells The Athletic.

— Will Sammon (@WillSammon) December 9, 2025

Maybe the MN Twins are seriously considering themselves offseason “buyers” on the MLB markets once again… but it’s probably safe to assume they were NOT in on Diaz. Of note, the Los Angeles Dodgers play at Target Field against the Minnesota Twins this summer from June 22-24.

A final group of four candidates earned second round interviews. That was after Twins legend Torii Hunter turned down any idea of interest, before things even got off the ground.

When the last crop of names were announced, familiar faces in the form of Derek Shelton and James Rowson stood out as logical choices.

Derek Shelton takes over as next MN Twins manager

When we last saw Derek Shelton he was managing the Pittsburgh Pirates. After being fired earlier this season following a 12-26 start, he makes his way back to the clubhouse where he operated as Baldelli’s bench coach. Shelton becomes the 14th manager in Minnesota Twins history.

Breaking: Derek Shelton is being hired as Twins manager

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) October 29, 2025

Shelton left the Twins after the 2019 season and started in Pittsburgh during the 60-game Covid-19 season. His team went just 19-41 that year. After 61 and 62 win seasons, Shelton pushed the bar and had the Pirates win 76 games in each of the 2023 and 2024 years. Across parts of six seasons, Shelton finished with a 306-440 record (.410%) with Pittsburgh.

Similarly to the Twins, Pittsburgh is a desolate place for a manager to succeed given the kneecapping of a front office by ownership. Of course that is what the Pohlads continue to do in Minnesota, but the extent is a bit less.

Shelton will now return to manage a team that has plenty of familiar faces. That’s probably a positive from a place of rapport, but it remains to be seen what level of impact he will truly have.

An uninspiring managerial choice for the Minnesota Twins

This sort of outcome is about as unfortunate as things can get, at least on paper. It’s entirely possible that Shelton provides a fresh voice and sees immediate success with the Twins. However, he is a retread and returns to the same organization he once was hired to a lesser position by.

When Derek Falvey chose Rocco Baldelli to be his handpicked manager, Shelton very well could have been tabbed as the leader at that point. The front office decided that Falvey was the better choice.

It has also been reported that Minnesota would likely consider finances when picking their next skipper. Baldelli had his contract option for 2026 exercised by the Twins. In what would have been his eighth season for Minnesota, he will unquestionably make more from the team for not coaching them than Shelton will in his place.

At the end of the day, the manager has not been the problem for the Minnesota Twins in recent seasons. The blame starts at the top and trickles down. Now Falvey’s next pick as manager though, Shelton will be the guy that either bails out the front office, or forces ownership to pin blame on someone else and clean house.

Unfortunately, the only benefit for the Minnesota Twins has been the increased excitement watching from their living rooms, like the rest of us. That’s because, for the second-straight season, the local nine failed to make the MLB Postseason, finishing with their worst record (72-90) since 2016.

Reaching their playoff goals isn’t expected to get any easier this offseason, as fans and media brace for another round of cuts to the roster’s payroll for 2026. In other words, things at 1 Twins Way are expected to get even worse, before they get better.

The same thing cannot be said for the man they just fired, however. Since being cut loose over two weeks ago, Rocco Baldelli — who is enjoying a multi-million dollar salary guaranteed by the Twins through 2026 — has been enjoying the unemployed life with family, as he unwinds from his six-year tenure as Minnesota’s skipper.

Rocco Baldelli already swimming in job offers?

Baldelli spoke with Dan Hayes of the Athletic this week, giving him an update on work and personal life, since his dismissal. The biggest stress factor in his life currently, Rocco reiterated multiple times during the interview, is making sure his coaches (who are currently still employed by the Twins) are taken care of.

Because when it comes time to decide on his future, the former Minnesota Twins manager isn’t worried about his prospects. Why? According to Rocco himself, he already has 10 or more job offers currently on the table, though he would not divulge publicly into what they are or which teams have reached out.

As many as 10 teams called Baldelli in the aftermath of his Sept. 29 dismissal from the Twins to express interest in hiring the 2019 American League Manager of the Year for a variety of different roles, though Baldelli didn’t specify any job titles.

In the days after he was let go, Baldelli heard from many in his baseball community, which uplifted his spirits. Potential jobs were discussed and doors for the future were opened, giving him confidence he’ll find a spot for 2026.

Dan Hayes – The Athletic

Of course, we do not know what type of job offers Baldelli is holding. Specifically, it’s not known whether any of the offers are to jump immediately back in as a team’s manager. Rocco Baldelli finished his managerial career in Minnesota with a record just over .500, at 527-505 (.511).

That goes to show how impressive that W/L number was, entering the 2024 season (475-333 | .588), prior to the Pohlads cutting $30 million from player payroll, which handcuffed their former manager and the front office for the next two seasons, eventually leading to Baldelli’s dismissal.

Former Minnesota Twins manager wants new job… just not yet

While Rocco tells Hayes that he loved his time as MN Twins manager, and wants to step back into the managerial role again sooner than later. However, it doesn’t sound like Baldelli plans to jump back into the saddle early enough to land a head job before the 2026 season.

The 44-year-old wants to take some time off, and believes he owes that much to his family. Professionally, though, that help his odds of filling one of the seven currently vacant manager jobs around the league. Most teams in need of a new skipper are already on the hunt to hire him, and they want it done ASAP.

It’s difficult to move on with an offseason to-do list, without a manager in place. That’s why, more than likely, Baldelli will have to settle for some sort of team advisor role next season, before diving back into the managerial coaching pool more aggressively in 2027.

…knowing he wanted to decompress after spending the past seven seasons in the dugout, Baldelli is enjoying a temporary pause. He plans to work again next season, but he isn’t in a rush to figure out his new role.

Still, Baldelli would get back on the managing train if the fit’s right and the timeline aligned… With seven managerial openings aside from the Twins, the potential for a new job exists. But Baldelli is enjoying spending time with his wife and children. “I need to get my family settled in, whether it’s two weeks or two months,” he said — and doesn’t expect teams to wait around for him to make a decision…

Baldelli recognizes the risk he’d run by leaving the industry entirely and therefore plans to work in some capacity next season…But for now, Baldelli is content to take his time. “It’s possible I may not manage this year, but I fully expect to stay active,” he said.

The Athletic

His firing was also very clearly not a reflection of his performance, and he could be scooped up quickly. If he chooses to enter the fray and seek another managerial role this cycle, the demand for his services could surprise fans in Minnesota.

Rocco Baldelli an immediate managerial candidate

There are times when a manager is fired in which they can’t find a place to land. That may be intentional, personal, or a reflection of their results. In the case of Rocco Baldelli, it doesn’t sound like he’ll have difficulty finding work if he wants it. The Athletic’s Brittany Ghiroli suggests it could even happen this offseason.

Baldelli and Brandon Hyde, dismissed from Minnesota and the Baltimore Orioles, respectively, are two well-thought of candidates who have experience and could be willing to immediately dive back in. They have the benefit of selectivity given their contract status. Baldelli’s 2026 option with the Twins was picked up during the season.

Brittany Ghiroli – The Athletic

As Ghiroli mentions, the Twins already are on the hook for Baldelli’s 2026 salary. He doesn’t need a new gig in 2026 in order to make money. However, it’s possible that an opening makes sense and he quickly finds his way back into a clubhouse.

Baldelli certainly had flaws with the Minnesota Twins, but he was hardly the problem. Handed a mixed bag from both ownership and the front office, he was largely making due with what was given to him.

In his first season with the Twins, Baldelli led the team to 101 wins. For his efforts, taking over an 84-loss 2018 team, he was named the American League Manager of the Year. He finished with a 527-505 record (.511%).

It wouldn’t be a shock to see Baldelli join another organization in a capacity below the manager as well. Again, he won’t need the immediate payday, and it could be a springboard for his next leading role.

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.

Of course it’s the manager that was made the fall guy for the failures of ownership and the front office. While neither directly responsible party is interested in holding themselves accountable, someone else has to take over and lead the clubhouse.

Thus far we have gotten very little in terms of what criteria the Twins are looking for in the form of their next manager. Some logical names have been floated. Now we have a bit more substance than that.

Darren Wolfson reveals notes on next Minnesota Twins manager

There are currently multiple managerial openings across Major League Baseball. Only the Texas Rangers have made a decision in hiring Skip Schumaker. Other teams have begun to interview potential candidates. The Twins are putting together lists, and local insider Darren “Doogie” Wolfson unveiled some substance behind their search.

#MNTwins manager search update: Feelers put out, including 1 w/ prior MLB managing experience. TBD if interview occurs, both sides still weighing. Hear Twins doing homework on at least 1 college coach + others w/ no previous MLB managing experience (KC, Cle. staffs included).

— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) October 5, 2025

Beyond just what he stated on his own, Wolfson fielded a few questions. He noted that his bet would be on someone without previous major league managerial experience. Of course, in true Pohlad fashion, that would come at a discount.

Torii Hunter, George Lombard, Kai Correa, Craig Albernaz, James Rowson, and David Bell are all potential names that have been linked and don’t have previous experience. It’s also not shocking that the Twins would be interested in dipping into the collegiate ranks. Wes Johnson was a highly coveted hire as their pitching coach, and he abruptly left for a more lucrative deal at the college level.

It’s genuinely a stain on the current state of the Minnesota Twins organization that a coach would be welcomed to interview for one of 30 big league managerial jobs and turn it down. Wolfson said one such candidate is still “weighing” options.

Part of the equation is that Minnesota will still owe Baldelli his 2026 salary. The option was exercised earlier this year, and they are now on the hook for that. The Pohlads have not shown any affinity towards spending money. Finding a way to save on the next manager fits their typical process.

MN Twins front office can’t miss on next manager

The Minnesota Twins just finished a 70-92 season and took away nearly 40% of the active roster at the trade deadline. This front office is more responsible for that reality than the manager ever was.

Derek Falvey and Jeremy Zoll, both promoted prior to the season, can’t afford to be wrong on the next hire. Falvey handpicked Baldelli, and he is escaping the same fate that the last leader did following a 90-loss season.

Minnesota could struggle to be competitive next season, but they are going to shuttle a significant amount of top prospects to Target Field. Whoever is leading the clubhouse must get the most out of the previous core, and find a way to integrate more players in the same successful vein as Luke Keaschall.

This may be the last pivotal move that Derek Falvey and those below him get to make. If he gets it wrong, then cleaning house has to be the only outcome.

It would be easy to categorize Baldelli as a player’s manager, and traditionally after a firing, clubs go in the opposite direction with their next leader. It isn’t going to be that cut and dry for the Twins though, as they reportedly have identified the goal for their next skipper.

Player development is a must for MN Twins new manager

A few years ago, moving from a manager like Rocco Baldelli to someone like Doug Mientkiewicz might make sense. The former Twins first basemen has a reputation as a “red ass”, but the current regime chose not to keep him as a manager in the minors. Even though he won games, his style didn’t align with their philosophy. That same approach isn’t what they’re aiming for at the major league level, either.

One of the intended goals of bringing on a new manager is to hire someone well-versed in player development, Falvey said.

“I don’t think there is a one-size-fits-all to this,” Falvey said. “We have to be very open-minded. … If you look around baseball, and you look at the postseason right now, there are all kinds of different managers. There are lots of very successful managers that have come from different backgrounds, different playing experiences, different coaching experiences, even just non-coaching experiences in and outside of the game.”

The Athletic

A strong background in player development, though, could hold importance. The Twins didn’t see many of their young hitters take a step forward this year. Royce Lewis and Matt Wallner didn’t hit as well as they did in past seasons. Brooks Lee has yet to establish himself. Edouard Julien and Jose Miranda seemingly fell out of the team’s plans.

“If you’re in a market like ours and you’re going to bring up players, you’re going to bring up guys that aren’t quite there yet,” Falvey said. “They need to be given runway, need to be given development and need to grow at this level.”

Star Tribune

Both Dan Hayes of The Athletic and Bobby Nightengale of the Star Tribune suggest that the Twins are looking for someone adept in player development. This is interesting because that doesn’t typically fall on the shoulders of a manager.

Managers are typically a reflection of the coaches around them from a performance standpoint. They are tasked with pulling levers, but they aren’t traditionally going to be directly credited for results.

It seems as the Twins want someone who has accomplished those feats previously before installing them as the leader of their clubhouse. If that is the case, someone like Torii Hunter could certainly be cast aside due to a lack of previous coaching experience.

If this is the channel for the Twins, then previous managers or high-level coaches all fit the bill. That goes back to the group of previously connected names like Derek Shelton, James Rowson, and Brandon Hyde.

New Twins manager will need to overhaul staff

While Rocco Baldelli was the name publicly announced as having been let go on Monday, the coaching staff is likely to take the fall as well. That could mean Tommy Watkins, Hank Conger, Jayce Tingler, and plenty of others are on the outs.

Whether any of them are ultimately retained remains to be seen. The reality for a newly identified manager is that they have to get the support staff right too.

Minnesota has looked to both the professional and college ranks when filling out the leaders of their clubhouse. That should be expected to remain the case going forward. The collective must be aligned on the direction and decisions for the future though.

No matter who is leading the charge, 2026 doesn’t look entirely promising. The more impact the next group of leaders can have on that, the better.

It’s now solely on team president Derek Falvey, a position he was promoted to as among the most powerful in the sport, to dictate the future of the club. When he was installed as the head of the front office in 2017, it was after a very poor 59-103 season under Terry Ryan, however, Falvey didn’t see the same fate after his 90-loss debacle, this year.

Now the sitting president will need to pick a new manager, and embark on a direction that makes this season a footnote, and not the norm. Unfortunately the confidence throughout Minnesota that he can accomplish that, has waned significantly.

Manager decision reeks of desperation for the MN Twins

It was possible that Rocco Baldelli was going to be on the hot seat this season. He witnessed his team suffer a ridiculous collapse to end last year, and the expectations were another playoff run even after the payroll was dialed back. He survived early-season struggles though, coached a 13-game winning streak, and the front office responded by picking up his 2026 option.

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

President Derek Falvey suggested to the Star Tribune’s Bobby Nightengale that their decision to fire the manager was reflective of the past two seasons, not the last two months. That seems wildly inconsistent with a decision to exercise an option, and put a stingy ownership group on the hook for payroll that isn’t actively working for them.

“This was a decision that was organizationally made, obviously with ownership, around what’s the right direction and new direction for this club. Yes, we knew some of those trades and where those were going were going to put a strained position on that. I made it clear to ownership in different discussions that we had that we should evaluate the second half of the season very differently than just the outcomes on the field.”

Derek Falvey – Star Tribune

With the understanding that results will be subjective after the front office, mandated by ownership, stripped the team of nearly 40% of the roster, the ultimate decision seems odd. Prior to the trade deadline Falvey felt comfortable enough with his manager to extend him.

Fast forward to poor results with the team gutted, and Baldelli becomes the fall guy for a front office and ownership group he has been the only one to accept responsibility for.

Accountability isn’t in Falvey’s wheelhouse

The best news the Minnesota Twins have provided in the past 12 months was that the team was for sale. The worst was that they were taken off the market after the Pohlads found a pair of limited investors to swallow their debt. The Athletic asked fans to place blame on involved parties earlier this month, and the results were as expected.

One of Aaron Gleeman’s questions was, “Where do you assign the most blame for the Twins’ struggles?” Among 5,021 responses, 78.7% chose ownership, with 11.1% choosing the front office, and just 2.5% pointing at the manager.

“We’ve collectively arrived at this being the right time for a new voice in a new direction. It’s not about Rocco. This is a collective underperformance from our group and it starts with me.”

Derek Falvey – Star Tribune

The line that things start with Falvey rings hollow. He said that to Lavelle E. Neal with a straight face, despite being the steward of ownership and responsible for the roster he provided to the manager. Of course he’s not going to fire himself, but it’s clear self-awareness isn’t a strong suit either.

“I felt like this roster had a lot of talent on it that could go perform. And we didn’t collectively perform to that talent level.”

Derek Falvey – Star Tribune

“We didn’t perform. And I feel like I’ve let down the staff, the coaches, the fans and everybody in here when that happens. And if I don’t take that personal responsibility, then I feel like I’m not doing my job. And that’s what’s going to keep motivating our group to continue to work, to try and put the team in a better position to be successful.”

Derek Falvey – The Athletic

Going back to that two year assessment, Falvey comes up hollow here too. He watched a team he constructed fall apart down the stretch last season. The only changes he made to the roster were signing Harrison Bader, Danny Coulombe, and Ty France.

Why would a team that finished 9-18 during the final month of 2024, had one of the slowest and least athletic rosters, and went virtually unchanged into the next year, be believed to perform at a higher level? That’s either hubris or complete malpractice from Falvey when it comes to assessing what’s in front of him.

The again, as Gleeman points out, why would Falvey remove the shield from himself.

Changes were needed after back-to-back ugly seasons and Falvey made the biggest, easiest change he could while protecting himself and top lieutenant Jeremy Zoll…Self-preservation is expected in these types of situations…But it’s also increasingly clear Falvey is insulated from blame.

Aaron Gleeman – The Athletic

Minnesota Twins will have less resources going forward

You don’t tear down a roster in a monumental way only to go out and spend over the offseason. It’s more likely that Joe Ryan and Pablo Lopez are both traded due to their contracts than it is they are extended. Falvey has no indication of where payroll discussions will fall for 2026. That’s problematic with new investors involved, and the expectation is that the number will be further diminished.

“[To] shoot you super straight. I don’t have that direction yet. That’s a conversation that we’ll continue to have, certainly with the Pohlads and whatever conversation they would like me to have with the limited partners.”

Derek Falvey – Star Tribune

“There will be some limited partners that are coming in and involved in some of the discussions around how we operate going forward. Those have not yet happened. Those are likely to happen in, hopefully, the weeks to come.”

Derek Falvey – Star Tribune

Minnesota already laid off nearly their entire advanced scouting department earlier this summer. The have cut the payroll commitments going forward. The front office business staff should be uncertain about their futures as well.

As Neal succinctly put it, “Rocco looks like he’s getting out at a good time.” Unfortunately for fans, we’re still tied to the existence of the Pohlads and Falvey steering their ship.

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.

Ownership made things worse by botching the sale of the team, and that presents more questions than answers moving forward. When looking back on the year that was though, there’s no way to sugar coat just how bad this team has been.

“F” isn’t bad enough for MN Twins

There are just a few games left in the 2025 regular season. The Minnesota Twins head to Philadelphia for a three-game series. It won’t matter how they fare, and the season can’t come to an end soon enough. ESPN’s David Schoenfield assigned grades to every team for their regular season, and it seems he was kind to Minnesota.

This is the kind of season that can set an organization back five years, where it kind of feels like the whole organization has given up. Ownership/management punted at the trade deadline, dealing away 10 players. The Twins reportedly just recently fired four of their five scouts in the pro scouting department as well. Following the deadline, the team completely tanked on the field, with only the Rockies owning a worse record in the final two months. All this after payroll was cut following the 2023 playoff season and after last year’s late-season collapse. As always, the Pohlads never disappoint in their willingness to pinch pennies.

David Schoenfield – ESPN

Minnesota joined Atlanta and Washington as the only teams to earn an “F” grade. The Colorado Rockies were hit with an “F-.” It’s hard to fathom why the Twins didn’t achieve the worst mark of any team.

This collection was expected to compete and they haven’t. Derek Falvey largely ran back the same roster that colossally fell apart down the stretch last season. Then the front office blew everything up at the trade deadline. They have been directed by ownership in a terrible way, and production on the field has continued to sag.

Rocco Baldelli is likely the one who will take the fall for all of this, but the reality is that Minnesota fell over themselves at every juncture all season long. The Nationals and Rockies were expected to be bad, the Twins were not.

How Minnesota moves forward is the key here, and that’s something that won’t start to reveal itself until the offseason. There should be no expectation that payroll increases for 2026, but decision making absolutely has to change.

The Twins flopped in a very ugly and public way this season. Figuring out a better path forward is a must.