Rocco Baldelli, Derek Falvey Will Return in Their Roles with Twins in 2025

[Eric Blonigen]

On the final day of the 2024 season, President of Baseball Operations Derek Falvey confirmed that Manager Rocco Baldelli will return for the 2025 season--and ownership, in turn, confirmed Falvey will do so.

Image courtesy of © Eric Canha-Imagn Images

Minutes before team executive chairman Joe Pohlad confirmed that Derek Falvey will return as the Twins' chief baseball decision-maker next season, Falvey affirmed that manager Rocco Baldelli had the same job security.

Baldelli was hired as a 37-year-old first-time manager after the 2018 season. In his first year, he led the Bomba Squad to a 101-win season, the largest year-over-year improvement in the American League, and a new baseball record for home runs hit, at 307. Following the season, he won Manager of the Year, and spoke to the value of creating relationships, clubhouse vibes, rest, and communication.

Those priorities have largely worked. Over his six seasons managing the Twins, Baldelli has a .526 winning percentage—best of any Twins Manager over the past 50 years. Over that span, he has led the Twins to the AL Central title three times, in 2019, 2020, and 2023. That last squad broke the Twins’ playoff curse, advancing to the ALDS where they lost to the Houston Astros.

Because of the Twins' late-season collapse, fans have questioned which prominent figures might take the blame. Most of the time, someone takes the fall when expectations go unmet in such dramatic fashion. Often, this starts with members of the coaching staff. The manager goes next, and eventually the front office. The Twins have demonstrated this process in the last decade during the “Total System Failure” years.

The Twins are typically tight-lipped about the contract status of non-player personnel. This led to recent deliberation around whether wholesale changes could be coming to the front office, as there was uncertainty around whether Derek Falvey and Thad Levine were still under contract beyond 2024. That said, we do know that Baldelli is under contract through at least the 2025 season, and the implication has been that the team at least holds an option for his services in 2026.

Based on this alone, given the Twins payroll situation, it was always unlikely the front office would choose to pay two managers for a season. That said, there are two reasons that Baldelli may have been let go following the disappointing finish to the season.

First, the manager is the most visible target when things break down. He gives the postgame interviews, is theoretically responsible for energizing the team, and makes the lineup decisions. When a team loses consistently, it’s possible it’s on the manager. It was, and remains, uncertain how the front office viewed the reasons for the collapse, and more broadly, how they have felt about the job Baldelli has been doing overall.

Second, a portion of the fanbase believes that Baldelli only manages by spreadsheet and doesn’t understand the game. Over the past six weeks, there has been speculation that Baldelli has lost the clubhouse, and that that’s why the team has faltered. During recent games, fans led chants of “fire Rocco”.

However, a number of players (including Carlos Correa, Bailey Ober, Pablo Lopez, and Kyle Farmer) have placed the blame for poor play squarely on themselves. That reflects at least some measure of veteran support for the skipper within the clubhouse.

For now, it’s entirely possible we will see the most likely outcome of some changes on the coaching staff, and it may be necessary. It just won't extend as far up the leadership ladder as some fans might have wanted or expected.

“This will bother me forever, there will be no way around that," Baldelli said after the team was eliminated Friday night. "I will think about it a lot and I will use it to motivate myself in a lot of different ways going forward, because I never want to experience that again.”

With today’s news, Baldelli will have at least one more chance to prove it, by once again leading the team to the postseason. Meanwhile, his boss will undertake the work of remaking the roster with a bit better depth and durability.

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[Hubie29]

I'm out. I think i am going to puke. Excuse me

[dberthia]

Unserious organization.

[CRF]

I'm sure you all know the definition of insanity. 

[Dave Borton]

I thought the headline was a satire article right out of the Onion. 

Wow, what an insult to fans.

[LastOnePicked]

Well, there you go.

I mean, I don't expect much at this point, but I thought they might want to let the dust settle for a week or two, at least give the illusion that this collapse was serious enough (the second epic late-season collapse in three years, for those who may have forgotten) to warrant consideration of making a change.

Nope. Same old, same old. If you were running an organization in which winning was a priority, you would never manage personnel like this. Never.

By all accounts, Rocco is a fundamentally decent human being. He takes his work seriously and he conducts himself admirably. I'm glad they don't denigrate him, toss him under the bus or speak ill of him. But he is not a leader of men. His players too often struggle to live up to potential. His teams are prone to collapse and complete mental lapses on the field and on the bases.

We have had plenty of time now to fully and fairly evaluate Rocco Baldelli as a manager. He's cycled through numerous rosters, been gifted payrolls and prospects far beyond anything his predecessors ever had. And he has failed to get the most of his teams, failed to get this organization to the next level. Over and over again, failure.

Rocco has failed, but he will be back. Fans who would like to see a title in Minnesota probably won't be.

 

[rv78]

LOL! This proves winning is NOT a priority. Accountability means nothing here.

They really don't give a crap about the fans.

[HarmonK03]

I am really disappointed in the timing of this announcement.  They really needed to take some time and let the emotion of the collapse subside and conduct a thorough review of the organization.  But then I read a quote from Joe Pohlad, where he said he talks to Falvey daily.  He is too involved in the details to make an objective review of the organization and he needs to hire someone and give them the overview of his expectations and get out of the way.  Having regular contact is one thing, but daily means he is involved and who is then overseeing him and giving him constructive criticism and direction that should be going to Falvey.

[Winston Smith]

Why make changes when things are going this well? Eight years one wild card series win, can't really get much better than that can it?

[BH67]

5 minutes ago, karcherd said:

I am really disappointed in the timing of this announcement.  They really needed to take some time and let the emotion of the collapse subside and conduct a thorough review of the organization.  But then I read a quote from Joe Pohlad, where he said he talks to Falvey daily.  He is too involved in the details to make an objective review of the organization and he needs to hire someone and give them the overview of his expectations and get out of the way.  Having regular contact is one thing, but daily means he is involved and who is then overseeing him and giving him constructive criticism and direction that should be going to Falvey.

On the contrary per timing. Now we know what the Pohlads prefer with absolute clarity. And I know how I will respond, unequivocally.

[hitterscount]

Truly inspiring, so another season of data driven, fundamentally flawed baseball.... The owner is tone deaf. The players listed voicing support weren't the issue... Leaders sometime need to make uncomfortable decisions based on what's best for the organization, Big Joe took the easiest path. 

[tarheeltwinsfan]

Those two decisions to keep Rocco and Derek Falvey are good decisions. They have become like family to me. We're all disappointed that the Twins did not win the World Series. It has been an interesting season. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.  The owners, FO, management, players and total organization are "the men in the arena". (Now is a good time to read Theodore Roosevelt's great quote about those who strive in the arena, those whom strive for unattainable perfection, but keep striving. Whether it is in the classroom, a sales job, a courtroom, a hospital, politics or a baseball field.) I  appreciate the Twins organizational efforts to entertain us Twins fans. I will continue to be the biggest Twins fan in North Carolina. I will continue to  be positive and to "wait til next year". My wife and I will be at Ft. Myers in March again for a week of optimism, sunshine, the smell of freshly cut grass, the pop of baseballs hitting gloves and the sounds of bats squarely hitting baseballs... and springtime.  We will talk of the trip we will take from North Carolina to Minneapolis for the playoffs in October, 2025. I'll continue to watch the games on tv with announcers and others who love the Twins. I enjoy my Twins Daily family, writers, contributors and friends. We will win some. We will lose some. Some will be rained out. We'll do it together. Without these types of seasons, there could be no 1987 and no 1991.  It is worth it.  I'm used to it. I'm a 79 year old Senators/Twins fan.

[Squirrel]

4 minutes ago, tarheeltwinsfan said:

My wife and I will be at Ft. Myers in March again for a week of optimism, sunshine, the smell of freshly cut grass, the pop of baseballs hitting gloves and the sounds of bats squarely hitting baseballs... and springtime

As will I. Probably my favorite time in baseball season. A new beginning. However, I do hope for other things, too. I am only human, after all.

[D.C Twins]

 

Don't you wish your job cared less about leadership and results so  that you would 'never have to worry about job security?"

Pictured below is Rocco feeling satisfied that when he hyper focuses on one data point at the expense of all other logic....he can be a VERY happy man!

 

[D.C Twins]

With the understanding that neither the Twins nor TD need me in the least bit....

I'll always be a Twins fan, but I'm taking a hiatus until Rocco is unceremoniously fired one day. 

Good luck to all and see you on the flip side!

[Danchat]

It's confirmation that Baldelli is doing what the front office wants him to, unless the salary of a new manager would be that prohibitive. Despite the multiple collapses, questionable bullpen decisions, and consistent lack of fundamentals, he is their guy. Which points to the root issue - the Falvine regime. Would a new manager of theirs really change things so drastically? Nothing will change until the root issue is addressed.

[Aggies7]

And the team responded with a solid effort today to close out the year 

[Squirrel]

3 minutes ago, Danchat said:

Nothing will change until the root issue is addressed.

This has been my stance since forever. Since the beginning of the 2000s, through the end of the Ryan years. We changed Ryan, and here we are again. For me, the root isn’t even in the FO.

[HarmonK03]

So what do you want ownership to do differently whether it is current or a new ownership group.  Falvey has set the analytics driven model that is not working.  What can ownership do differently, and if it is a higher budget, how much should it be.

[Galen]

In a land far away,  a long time ago (when David Ortiz was a young player), the Twins were punch hitters, played good defense, hit behind runners, and played good defense.

Now, defense is lousy, nobody hits behind the runner, strikes out, pops up, can't run the bases, and swings for the fences every at bat.

A little middle ground please.

[BillyBallLives]

 

1 hour ago, dberthia said:

Unserious organization.

OR:

"Serious disorganization"

[LastOnePicked]

29 minutes ago, tarheeltwinsfan said:

Without these types of seasons, there could be no 1987 and no 1991.  It is worth it.  I'm used to it. I'm a 79 year old Senators/Twins fan.

Hey, this is lovely. Seriously. But those of us who are upset about this announcement would like to see loyalty like yours rewarded with a few more championship runs to cherish. And the next Twins manager and FO staff could be like family too, you know. :) We need to open that door at some point.

This organization really should do better to honor fans like you.

[dberthia]

Given that the "brain trust" isn't being held accountable, they damn well better make a major roster overhaul.

[BillyBallLives]

Joe says he doesn't judge on 6 crappy weeks.

Falvey regime has been in place for what 8 years now? 

Guess he needs 6 months of crap in 2025.

Which is when Rocco's contract expires.

How convenient.

It's just about the money. 

 

[Dave Borton]

36 minutes ago, Squirrel said:

As will I. Probably my favorite time in baseball season. . . 

I will be in Florida (rather than Arizona) during Winter for the first time in 6 years. Rather than MLB, I attend college spring training and look forward to modestly priced, excellent college ball.

 

[Squirrel]

18 minutes ago, Dave Borton said:

I will be in Florida (rather than Arizona) during Winter for the first time in 6 years. Rather than MLB, I attend college spring training and look forward to modestly priced, excellent college ball.

 

I spend time on the backfields checking out minor leaguers … that has a modest price tag of free. I also spend time watching the activity before actual games start and that also has a free price tag. And the DQ is nearby. (But so is Sun Harvest for most excellent soft serve.)

[TheLeviathan]

35 minutes ago, karcherd said:

So what do you want ownership to do differently whether it is current or a new ownership group.  Falvey has set the analytics driven model that is not working.  What can ownership do differently, and if it is a higher budget, how much should it be.

Well, for one, it'd be nice if we didn't cut our spending.  So maybe just return to where we were last year?  That's a sizable amount of room to add depth and talent to this team.

Since it looks like Falvey and Baldelli are staying - I hope they take a fresh look at their models.  Implementation looks like it could be improved and altered from what was done this year.  (On speed/running and pinch hitting especially)

[ashbury]

5 minutes ago, Squirrel said:

I spend time on the backfields checking out minor leaguers … that has a modest price tag of free.

Not entirely without a cost: depending on the year you might run into me.

[Dave Borton]

6 minutes ago, ashbury said:

Not entirely without a cost: depending on the year you might run into me.

So who is buying this next Spring?

[Brandon27]

Well that rocco is back will the other coaches be back I hope they get rid of  the other coaches and start over