The Minnesota Twins have fired manager Rocco Baldelli following a disappointing 2025 MLB season. The team failed to come close to qualifying for the postseason and lost 90+ games for the first time since 2016. With the offseason approaching after the conclusion of the World Series, Minnesota appears to be closing in on a new manager.
According to The Athletic’s Dan Hayes and Brittany Ghiroli, the Twins are considering a group of four candidates for the managerial position. The names reportedly still in the running are Derek Shelton, James Rowson, Scott Servais, and Ryan Flaherty. Notably, candidates such as Vance Wilson, Nick Punto, and Ramon Vasquez are no longer under consideration.
Among the four finalists, Shelton and Servais bring previous managerial experience to the table. Derek Shelton most recently managed the Pittsburgh Pirates. He was hired in November 2019 but was dismissed in May 2024 as the Pirates struggled near the bottom of the league standings.
Scott Servais, on the other hand, is the former manager of the Seattle Mariners. He took over after the 2016 season and led Seattle to its first postseason appearance since 2003 by securing a Wild Card spot in 2021. However, Servais was fired in August 2024 after the Mariners’ disappointing season collapse.
Ryan Flaherty has some managerial experience on an interim basis. In June 2022, he served as the acting manager for the San Diego Padres when Bob Melvin was sidelined by COVID-19 protocols. Flaherty currently works as the bench coach for the Chicago Cubs.
James Rowson is the only candidate without managerial experience, but he has prior ties to the Twins organization. He served as Minnesota’s hitting coach from 2017 to 2019. Derek Shelton also shares a connection to the Twins, having been Minnesota’s bench coach before his Pittsburgh hiring.
After a rough season, the Twins are eager to turn things around, starting with hiring the best manager for the job. It appears Minnesota is close to making a decision, and it will be interesting to see who ultimately wins the race for this managerial vacancy.
https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/minnesota-twins/twins-rumors-4-names-managerial-vacancy