Twins Part Ways with Manager Rocco Baldelli After Seven Seasons
In a significant shake-up following a disappointing season, the Minnesota Twins have decided to move on from manager Rocco Baldelli after seven years at the helm. The decision comes after the Twins, who were expected to contend for the division title, finished with a dismal 70-92 record. Twins president Derek Falvey described the decision as difficult, praising Baldelli’s leadership style: “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.” Despite the disappointing end to his tenure, Baldelli’s impact on the organization was substantial, having guided the team to three American League Central titles during his time in Minnesota.
The 2024 season represented a dramatic shift in the team’s trajectory, as the organization pivoted from contender to seller at the trade deadline. In a series of moves that signaled a rebuilding phase, the Twins traded away ten players, including stars like Carlos Correa and closer Jhoan Duran, while cutting $26 million in payroll. These drastic changes took a visible toll on the team’s performance, as they stumbled to a 19-35 record after the trade deadline—their worst finish since 2016—and ended the season with the fourth-worst record in Major League Baseball. This dramatic downturn likely influenced the decision to seek new leadership in the dugout, despite Baldelli’s previous success with the organization.
Baldelli’s tenure with the Twins began impressively, as he won the American League Manager of the Year award in his rookie season as skipper in 2019. Perhaps his most significant achievement came in 2023 when he led the Twins to their first playoff series victory since 2002, breaking an 18-game postseason losing streak that had haunted the franchise for years. Over his seven seasons with Minnesota, Baldelli compiled a winning record of 527-505, demonstrating his ability to develop talent and compete in a division that has seen significant fluctuations in team strength over that period. At just 44 years old, the former outfielder and two-time Manager of the Year finalist likely has many more opportunities ahead in his baseball career.
The Twins’ challenges extend beyond the playing field, as the organization faces significant business hurdles that parallel their on-field struggles. Attendance at Target Field dropped to its lowest non-pandemic level since 2000, with just over 1.7 million tickets sold throughout the season. This decline reflects growing fan frustration with ownership decisions, particularly the Pohlad family’s cost-cutting measures that began after a promising 2023 campaign. The ownership situation has been particularly unstable, with the Pohlads putting the franchise up for sale last year before reversing course in August, deciding instead to maintain majority control while seeking new investors to help address the team’s debt situation. This financial uncertainty has created an additional layer of complexity for the organization as it now searches for a new manager.
Falvey’s statement regarding Baldelli’s departure highlighted the close working relationship the two had developed: “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. 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.” This sentiment suggests the decision was not made lightly and acknowledges Baldelli’s significant contributions to the organization beyond just his win-loss record. For many in the organization, Baldelli represented stability during a period that saw considerable roster turnover and strategic shifts in team building.
As the Twins organization now looks to the future, they face the challenge of identifying a manager who can navigate both a potential rebuild and the expectations of a fanbase eager to return to consistent contention. The next manager will inherit a team in transition, with promising young talent but also significant questions about the direction of the franchise and its financial commitment to winning. Meanwhile, Baldelli leaves with a respectable legacy, having overcome a historically bad playoff drought and delivering multiple division championships during his tenure. While his time with the Twins ended in disappointment, his overall impact on the organization was undoubtedly positive, and his reputation as a player-friendly manager with strong communication skills will likely make him an attractive candidate for future managerial openings across baseball.
