The Minnesota Twins announced on September 29, 2025, that they have fired manager Rocco Baldelli following a dismal 70-92 season. This move brings to a close Baldelli’s seven-year run as skipper, a tenure that included both highs and growing pains.
Twins president Derek Falvey framed the decision as one driven by performance: “This is a difficult day … 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.”
The 2025 Freefall
Minnesota entered 2025 with some optimism. By early June, the team held a solid 34-27 record. But that promise didn’t last. The club faltered, and the second half became a collapse. They traded away key contributors–including All-Star shortstop Carlos Correa and closer Jhoan Duran, and slashed payroll. After the All-Star break, the Twins went just 23–43 to close out the season.
The 70 wins mark the team’s worst finish in nearly a decade. The collapse was dramatic: after a competitive start, the Twins lost 10 of 12 in early June and never regained footing. With that kind of slide, front office patience snapped.
Even though the team had earlier picked up Baldelli’s club option for 2026, that move couldn’t save his job. The organization clearly wanted to shift course before another disappointing campaign.
Success, Struggles & the Middle Ground
Baldelli did deliver success in Minnesota. He guided the Twins to three AL Central division titles (2019, 2020, 2023). In his first season (2019), he earned AL Manager of the Year honors following a dominant 101-61 campaign. Those early successes made him a rising young coach and gave fans hope for sustained contention.
Over his tenure, Baldelli posted a 527-505 record–making him the third winningest manager in Twins history. His record places him behind only legendary names in franchise lore.
Yet the ending arc of his tenure was defined by inconsistency. In his final two seasons, the Twins failed to contend and slipped behind rivals. The club’s strategic pivot–selling off key players midseason–signaled a shift from chasing contention to cost control.
Despite early playoff appearances, Baldelli never produced a deep postseason run. The team’s postseason success remained fleeting, and much of his later years were defined by expectations unmet.
The Organizational Imperative
The timing of Baldelli’s dismissal was no accident. The front office opted to move decisively after a season of decline, not wait for a losing streak to repeat itself. Falvey’s statement that “a different voice is needed” suggests that organizational philosophy or culture, not just talent, is under review.
Moreover, shedding moving parts midseason–trading away core contributors–was likely both symptom and cause of the collapse. That kind of roster instability makes a manager’s job precarious. The Twins’ aggressive sell-off sent a message that they were ready to reset.
According to Sports Illustrated, here are some potential candidates who could replace Baldelli:
- Skip Schumaker
- Brad Ausmus
- David Ross
- Manny Acta
- Don Mattingly
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