More candidates emerge in Twins managerial search (sources)

The search is under way for the next Twins manager.

Interviews for the job began this week, and at this point, five candidates are known.

Sources told MLB.com on Friday that Yankees hitting coach James Rowson, Red Sox bench coach Ramón Vázquez and most recently, Royals third base coach Vance Wilson are among the names who will be or have been interviewed. The club has not confirmed these developments.

Additionally, the Athletic reported Wednesday that former Twins infielder Nick Punto and former Twins coach and Pirates manager Derek Shelton are also on the list to be interviewed.

More candidates are sure to follow in the coming days.

The Twins have not divulged a timeline for announcing the successor to Rocco Baldelli, who managed the team for the past seven seasons. Baldelli’s hire was announced on Oct. 24, 2018, on the off-day between Games 2 and 3 of the World Series.

Rowson, 49, was the hitting coach for the Twins from 2017-19, presiding over some of the most productive offenses in the franchise’s recent history – most notably the 2019 “Bomba Squad” that led the American League in home runs. He’s been with the Yankees for the past two years, overseeing the AL’s top-scoring offense both times.

Vázquez, also 49, has served on the Boston coaching staff for the past eight seasons. He also managed in the Puerto Rican Winter League.

Shelton, 55, managed the Pirates from 2020-25. Before that, he was the bench coach for the 2018 and '19 Twins. Punto, 47, played for the Twins from 2004-10, the longest stint with one club in his 14-year Major League career. He has limited Major League coaching or managing experience, but he was on the Padres’ staff in 2025.

Wilson, 51, caught in the Major Leagues from 1999-2006 and managed in the Minor Leagues from 2011-17. He has been on the Royals’ coaching staff since 2018.