As one manager job fills, Twins press on with search
MINNEAPOLIS -- Two more names have surfaced in the Twins’ search for a manager, and one reported candidate is off the board.
A source confirmed a report that former Mariners manager Scott Servais is a candidate, while another source told MLB.com that longtime Twins star Torii Hunter has had “informal conversations” with the Twins regarding the job.
Additionally, former Twins catcher Kurt Suzuki, who had been reported as a potential candidate, was hired as the new manager of the Angels. Suzuki is not known to have interviewed with Minnesota, but it is believed there was at least some interest.
Servais, 58, played in the Major Leagues for 11 seasons and has a wide range of experience in his post-playing career. He served in the front office for both the Rangers and Angels, including as director of player development for Texas, before managing the Mariners from 2016-24. He guided Seattle to five winning records and one playoff appearance in his eight complete seasons on the job.
Hunter is a name well-known to Twins fans, as he spent 12 seasons of his decorated Major League career in Minnesota. With the Twins, he made two All-Star Games, won the first seven of his nine total Gold Gloves and made the postseason four times. Hunter is a member of the club’s Hall of Fame. He has served as a special assistant with both the Twins and Angels but has no professional coaching or managing experience.
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The list of known candidates includes Servais, Yankees hitting coach James Rowson, Red Sox bench coach Ramón Vázquez, Royals third-base coach Vance Wilson, former Twins infielder Nick Punto and former Pirates manager Derek Shelton.
Interviews began last week and are ongoing. Some follow-up interviews have begun to be scheduled.
The club has not divulged a time frame for a hire. However, the World Series starts Friday, which could provide some insight. Major League Baseball strongly dissuades clubs from announcing major news during the World Series, though travel days can sometimes be an exception. The Twins announced the hiring of Rocco Baldelli on the travel day between Games 2 and 3 of the 2018 World Series.