The Minnesota Twins communicated Monday that they have relieved skipper Rocco Baldelli of his duties after an underachieving campaign highlighted by a mid-season roster shakeup and failing to reach the postseason.
The organization shared the determination through an official announcement by baseball operations president Derek Falvey.
“Success in this sport is ultimately determined by outcomes, and in the previous two years we didn’t achieve the objectives we established,” the announcement stated. “I accept responsibility for that personally. After discussions with the ownership group, we agreed that this is the ideal time to implement a new perspective and strategic vision.”
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Baldelli, a former MLB player with the Rays, became the Twins’ manager in 2019, marking his first MLB managerial role. He served in that capacity for seven seasons. In his inaugural season, the Twins achieved 101 wins and secured the first of three AL Central championships with him leading the team.
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During Baldelli’s tenure, the Twins never progressed beyond the ALDS. Moreover, they did not make the playoffs in either of the past two years, finishing fourth in their division.
Rocco Baldelli is no longer the manager of the Minnesota Twins.
(Stephen Maturen via Getty Images)
There was anticipation in Minnesota for a resurgence and a return to the playoffs this year, especially after missing the postseason in 2024. However, the Twins concluded with a 70-92 record and were out of playoff contention well before Sunday’s final game of the regular season.
The Twins essentially gave up on the season near the trade deadline with a significant roster change, after being on the fence about whether to buy or sell at the deadline.
Baldelli’s departure comes shortly after the Twins announced that the Pohlad family, specifically brothers Jim, Bill, and Bob Pohlad, would continue to maintain majority ownership of the team.
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The Twins have initiated the search for a new manager immediately. Falvey, along with general manager Jeremy Zoll, and the eventual new manager will collaborate to assemble the team’s upcoming coaching staff.
