The Twins announced this afternoon that Rocco Baldelli will not return as the club’s manager in 2026.
The move is a surprise after the Twins in June reportedly extended the option on Baldelli’s contract for 2026. The Pohlad family owned franchise is known for its loyalty to employees, including those in management.
Baldelli, however, just finished his seventh season with a team that compiled a 70-92 record. It was the second consecutive disappointing season. Only once in the last five seasons has his team made the playoffs.
Fans were critical during his tenure of how he handled pitchers and made out his batting order. Critics also didn’t think he managed with enough fire.
The termination will appease a lot of fans and perhaps be one of the dominoes that will fall during the offseason, with team leaders hoping to revive interest in the club and improve performance on the field. The fanbase has become both apathetic and angry toward the team which has been spiraling downward in popularity since almost two years ago when ownership and upper management didn’t seize on the momentum of building even a better club than the 2023 group that made the American League playoffs.
Baldelli was hired by front office boss Derek Falvey who is still leading the Twins. Falvey led the franchise more into the world of baseball analytics and Baldelli was seemingly comfortable with that approach. The Twins job was his first as a manager at any level. Some will see his firing as being a scapegoat for the failures of others in the organization.
Baldelli was only 37 years old when hired. He was viewed at least for a time as a players manager, particularly when winning three division titles.
Jayce Tingler, the Twins bench coach and former manager of the Padres, could be one of the candidates to take over for Baldelli. The new hire will be huge for Falvey since he is already under fire for his perceived role in the team’s decline.
Named the 14th manager in club history on October 25, 2018, Baldelli leaves with the third-most wins in Twins history with a 527–505 (.511). He trails only Twins Hall of Famers Tom Kelly (1,140-1,244) and Ron Gardenhire (1,068-1,039). He managed Minnesota to three American League Central Division titles (2019, 2020, and 2023), including a 101-win season in 2019 when he was named American League Manager of the Year.
“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,” said Falvey (President, Baseball & Business Operations) in a prepared statement by the organization. “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.
“This is a difficult day because of what Rocco represents to so many people here. 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. …”