Yesterday’s announcement about the change in leadership with the Twins makes it clear executive chair and part owner Tom Pohlad is decisive and in charge of the organization’s future going forward. On Friday Pohlad and President Derek Falvey announced the two were parting ways.
But why?
Falvey had been leading the baseball operation since late 2016 and in 2025 added the responsibility of directing the business side of the franchise which has been owned by the Pohlad family going back to 1984. Tom succeeded his younger brother Joe as executive chair last December, and it appears he may not be long on patience.
The Twins were 70-92 last season. Many baseball gurus don’t see Minnesota doing much better in 2026. The fallout between Tom Pohlad and Falvey may have been driven by disagreement on how quickly the Twins could win with limited spending on payroll. Pohlad has been quoted as saying the club “will be competitive” in 2026.
The Twins are expected to have a payroll in the low $100 million range. That’s the most minimal payroll Falvey would have ever had to work with. Falvey had to know his task of contending for a championship in 2026 was going to be a mega challenge.
In a statement yesterday Pohlad said “our commitment to building a championship caliber organization requires decisiveness and urgency.”
There may have been personality differences between the two men that factored into the decision but what’s most plausible in driving the decision was likely a difference in vision as to what is realistic for the team and how soon success can happen. Falvey has felt the limitations of ownership’s lack of payroll commitment in the past, including last summer when the Twins had a fire sale, trading 10 players for prospects or players with limited MLB success.
Falvey may have been on board with that salary dump, viewing it as a chance to restructure the roster and build for the future. Ownership, led by Joe Pohlad, eased the bank balance of a franchise that reportedly was carrying $500 million in debt.
It’s believed Falvey wasn’t so on board with the firing of manager Rocco Baldelli after last season. Baldelli had been hired by Falvey in 2018, and he later managed three division winning teams. The two worked effectively together including with the enhanced use of analytics.
Joe Pohlad succeeded his uncle Jim as Twins executive chair in December of 2023. The club nosedived in performance and popularity during his leadership.
Why did he receive his appointment? Because his last name was Pohlad and he had about 15 years of experience working for the organization in various departments.
Tom is much more the outsider and is generally off to a favorable start with the fans and media. He’s come across as articulate and optimistic, although critics will see him as naïve in his expectations for 2026. Sports Headliners is told he is also willing to spend money in building the franchise.
The club is not without any talent on the roster. The starting pitching rotation could be among the better ones in the American League led by Joe Ryan, Pablo Lopez, Bailey Ober and Simeon Woods Richardson. The Twins have two of the more underrated players in baseball in catcher Ryan Jeffers and right fielder Matt Wallner. Center fielder Byron Buxton is a superstar when healthy. Young position players Luke Keaschall and Brooks Lee showed promise last year. Royce Lewis remains an enigma, tantalizing at times with his potential.
It’s also predicted that much hyped minor league prospects like Walker Jenkins will play for the club in 2026. The Twins are regarded as having one of the better minor league organizations in baseball.
A difference in expectations about what this cast can do and how soon may have driven the split between Pohlad and Falvey. Certainly, the silly theories advanced don’t cut it including the notion that Falvey was let go to save money. His compensation is unknown but almost for sure was in seven figures.
To run the baseball side the Twins are promoting general manager Jeremy Zoll to lead the show. He has admirers and it’s also believed the organization has a “deep bench” of talented administrators, coaches and scouts.
Pohlad has said he’s not searching for someone to replace Zoll or be his boss. He is searching for a new president of the business operations. Sports Headliners predicts there will be internal and external candidates.
Former President and CEO Dave St. Peter, now a strategic advisor, will not return to his old position. He announced in late 2024 he was transitioning from his role of 22 years leading the franchise and led to Falvey’s new business side responsibilities.
There was no public mudslinging in the Falvey departure. Both Falvey and Pohlad were cordial in their words spoken to the media. They admitted their conversations led to a parting, as surprising as it was to almost everyone.
In the past the Twins have fielded calls about Falvey’s availability. It’s likely he will have baseball offers now that will keep him in the industry.