If the Pohlad family finds a buyer for the Minnesota Twins franchise in the next six months (no guarantees), that new individual or group will decide the fate of employees including club president Derek Falvey and manager Rocco Baldelli.
Fans rightfully expect new ownership to be passionate and knowledgeable enough to make informed decisions about their MLB acquisition. Keeping the status quo, of course, will require the least work, including retention of Falvey the leader of baseball personnel decisions since October of 2016 and Baldelli, the field boss dating back to the 2019 season when he was chosen American League Manager of the Year.
That combo’s highlights include the Twins division titles in 2019, 2020 and 2023. Falvey’s 2017 team was also a Wild Card entrant in the playoffs. During his entire regime the Twins have won a single playoff series in the postseason.
Over the years much of the fan base has soured on Falvey and Baldelli. A team last season that looked like a cinch to make the playoffs went through a late season collapse including losing 25 of 37 games. The Twins finished 82-80 and Falvey and ownership received criticism for not making mid-season moves to strengthen the roster.
This summer personnel moves by Falvey gutted 40 percent of the team’s roster, moving 11 players in what was an unprecedented 96-hour stretch in club history. The team moved on from key contributors, particularly in the bullpen, in return for a clubhouse full of prospects.
New ownership will have to decide if Falvey and Baldelli, and those who work for them, measure up to whatever standard they set for performance. Ownership must discern in the highly competitive marketplace of Major League Baseball, how good are the two at what they do?
Falvey and Baldelli backers can argue they have done okay or better with the limited payroll the Pohlads have dictated. And certainly, this summer’s result of saving a reported $30 million from the payroll wasn’t a move that ownership didn’t have its hands involved with.
The Twins have a serious product and image challenge with the public including present and past season ticket holders. Apathy and disgruntlement have been building for years and is not likely to change until there is new ownership.
The reconstructed Twins could sweep away some gloom among the more loyal fans if they vastly exceed low expectations from now through the rest of the season. On the positive side, this bargain basement roster of unknowns, journeymen and holdovers has won five of its last eight games.
If the Twins were somehow able to play over .500 baseball the rest of the way that would be an achievement worth noting on the resumes of Falvey and Baldelli. That could quiet some of the speculation that the Twins are three years or more from being a division and post season contender.
If the club collapses in August and September, the move on from Falvey and Baldelli voices will grow louder. And if new ownership wants to make the proverbial “clean sweep” of its front office and manager/coaches, that’s the quickest way to create a new image and ease the anger among Twins fans.
Retention of those presently in authority will require courage and explaining by new ownership.
Niko Medved Talks Keeping Best Hoops Talent Home
For most of this millennium the men’s Gopher basketball program has been unable to bring the best players in the state to Dinkytown. From Tyus Jones to Chet Holmgren, the elites have gone elsewhere.
That has contributed to dismal results at Minnesota. In the past 20 seasons the Gophers have one winning season in Big Ten games. Twice during that stretch, they have won an NCAA Tournament game.
In the class of 2026 the top two prep players in the state, according to 247Sports, are Faribault center Ryan Kreager and Wayzata shooting guard Christian Wiggins. They’re committed to Loyola Chicago and Iowa State respectively. Wayzata small forward Nolen Anderson is ranked No. 3 and verbally committed to the Gophers.
New head coach Niko Medved was asked by Sports Headliners what it will take to reverse the longstanding trend at Minnesota of not convincing the most elite players to choose the program. Medved said there’s “a lot to sell here” and at his previous job (Colorado State) there was a track record of winning and helping players reach full potential.
“Playing in a system that they love playing in, that is conducive to them growing and developing as a player,” Medved said. “I think we have a great culture that guys want to be a part of and it’s just continuing to sell that. …We have really made an effort to do that and try to get the best guys, but they gotta be the best fit for us.
“…I look at what P.J. (Fleck) has done right across the way (for football). It didn’t necessarily happen for him right away but, man, he just kept chopping wood, chopping wood, and selling and selling, and now look at it. All these guys from around the area want to come and play for the Gophers. And we are going to get there too.”
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