Twins part ways with manager Baldelli

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Twins have dismissed manager Rocco Baldelli after seven seasons, the club announced Monday.

The move follows a second straight disappointing season for Minnesota, which finished 70-92 after entering the season with postseason aspirations. The Twins were 34-27 on June 4, but they lost 15 of 18 games in June, which led to a Trade Deadline sell-off, and the remaining roster struggled to the finish line.

The Twins finished with the second-fewest wins in the American League and the fourth fewest in baseball, after beginning the year as a consensus favorite to win the AL Central. A year earlier, they were in strong position to make the postseason before a 12-27 finish knocked them out of contention.

“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,” Twins president of baseball and business operations Derek Falvey said in a statement issued by the club. “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.”

Under Baldelli, Minnesota made the postseason three times, but only once in the past five years. He finishes his tenure with a 527-505 record. His win total is the third highest in Twins history, behind only Tom Kelly and Ron Gardenhire. He presided over the Wild Card Series win over the Blue Jays in 2023, the organization’s first postseason series win since 2002. He also led the 2019 team to 101 wins, the most wins for a Twins team since 1965.

But fortunes turned in recent years, and it became difficult to overlook the struggles of the 2025 team, both before and after the stunning series of moves at the Deadline. Even after the moves, however, the Twins continued to play hard, and sentiment within the clubhouse remained largely positive toward the manager.

“This is a difficult day because of what Rocco represents to so many people here,” Falvey said. “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."

The Twins reportedly exercised Baldelli’s 2026 contract option in June, but neither he nor the club ever confirmed or denied that report. Baldelli deflected speculation about his future in recent days, even as questions grew toward the end of the season.

“We know what our record is and we know that we didn’t hit the expectations that we were looking for,” he said following Sunday’s season-ending loss to the Phillies, “but we were able to watch our guys work their tails off from beginning to end. We treated this game like it was any other very important game that we’re getting ready for.

"You couldn’t tell the difference and that’s not necessarily always the case in every season, whether the season goes great or not. The guys really put it out there from beginning to end, and I think this last road trip shows what these guys are all about, what this locker room is all about and guys handled it the right way."

The Twins will immediately begin their search for a new manager. The club’s 2026 coaching staff will be determined by the new manager in collaboration with Falvey and executive vice president/general manager Jeremy Zoll.