Grading the 2024 Minnesota Twins: Coaches and Executives

[Nick Nelson]

From the players to the coaches to the front office to ownership, we're assigning letter grades to the performance of everyone who played a role in the 2024 Twins season. Today we wrap up the three-part series with a more subjective look at coaches and execs.

Image courtesy of Matt Blewett-USA TODAY Sports

Because so many people, on and off the field, contributed to the rise and fall of these 2024 Twins, I wanted to expand the scope of this review beyond just players, grading out the performances of coaches and executives as well. Needless to say, much of this analysis is unscientific and in some cases mainly vibes-based. (For more objective, evidence-based grading of players, check out the hitters and pitchers installments.)

Rocco Baldelli: D
For the most part I felt criticism of Baldelli's decision-making was overblown, often coming in hindsight and misdirected from player failure. But it's hard to let a manager off the hook for getting bitten as many times as he did, while adhering too tightly to stubborn tendencies. Team morale also went into the tank under Baldelli's watch in September, for which he bears some blame. At the same time, he does get a measure of credit for overseeing a great deal of winning up until the bottom fell out.

Derek Falvey: C-
Falvey serves as figurehead for the front office as a whole in this exercise. I'm a little split on how to grade them. On the one hand, they built a team that was capable of being one of the best in the league, and was for a prolonged period. Falvey's pitching pipeline, in particular, paid off nicely with arrivals from David Festa and Zebby Matthews, who threw some decent innings at times. On the other hand, the front office's abject failures in the bullpen, both during the offseason and at the trade deadline, played a pivotal role in kneecapping the team. Given the ownership-imposed payroll constraints Falvey and front office had pressed upon them, I'll land at "below average."

Pete Maki: D
The pitching coach wasn't given much to work with in a season where the front office did nothing to offset their losses in the rotation or bullpen. The solid work from some young starting pitchers, as well as a relief breakthrough from Cole Sands, were among his accomplishments. But overall, Twins pitching was not good, and the offseason acquisitions – who Maki presumably had a role in picking – all flopped. The number of absolute blow-up meltdowns that took place from both starters and relievers doesn't reflect well on coaching or planning.

Joe Pohlad: F
Front man for the most maligned ownership group this side of Oakland. Show up or sell the team.

David Popkins: D
Much like with Maki, you don't have to look too hard to find positives within the work done by Minnesota's hitting instructor group, led by Popkins. This was one of the most potent offenses in the league for a good stretch of the season, ranking third in wRC+ from May through July. But the entire lineup felt into a collective, inescapable slump for the final six weeks and no one on the coaching staff could seem to do a thing to help any of them solve it. The Twins announced on Tuesday that Popkins won't return as hitting coach in 2025.

Dave St. Peter: F
As team president, St. Peter is the head man in charge of the Minnesota Twins brand, and their relationship with their customers. Hard to imagine how the brand could have been mangled worse over the course of the year, from tone-deaf messaging to a monumentally botched TV situation.

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[LambchoP]

Rocco needs to learn to read the flow of the game a little better and not just always stick to his by the numbers plan no matter how the game is going. At least he won't be able to pinch hit Margot anymore :)

[Vanimal46]

You’re being too kind to Derek Falvey IMO. He did a poor job allocating the budget. When the margins are razor thin, you can’t keep a $10 million RF when there were MLB ready options in the minors. When the margins are razor thin, you’ve got to hit on marginal FAs. Jay Jackson $3 million utter failure. DeSclafini $4 million didn’t throw a single pitch for us. Margot $4 million failure. Trevor “Wild Pitch” Richards at the trade deadline. 

[CRF]

What's below "F" ? 

[Craig Arko]

There’s already enough active war zones on the planet.

[DJL44]

Maki got an All-Star caliber season out of Griffin Jax and turned Woods-Richardson into an effective 4th starter. I'd give him a C.

[Twins GFP]

I am not as down on Rocco as many seem to be.  While I understand he is ultimately responsible for the on-field product, a lot went wrong that he wasn't able to directly effect: injuries, actual player performance, younger players vastly stinking, zero support from ownership.  I would put him in the C-C+ range.  People are screaming for him to be fired, but I am not so sure that whoever ownership brings in will be any better off.

Now his coaches are another story.  You forgot to give Tommy Watkins an F as well, possibly the most deserved F outside of ownership.

Maki may get another year, but I have a hard time seeing how he keeps his job.  There is zero growth coming from the staff, with some guys regressing.

St. Peter's F was well earned this year too.   Unfortunately there is no light at the end of this tunnel until the team negotiates a national vs. regional tv contract, and they hire someone with even the smallest modicum of marketing skills.

I would give Pohlad a B,  because I am sure the Twins made money this year and that is all he cares about.  (hint: this is sarcasm)

[adjacent]

30 minutes ago, CRF said:

What's below "F" ? 

P for Pohlad

[Spiritualized]

There needs to be a new scale. Giving Joe Pohlad only an F seems far too high. What an absolute and utter failure in all regards, from pre-season until the end. 

[Road trip]

28 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

Maki got an All-Star caliber season out of Griffin Jax and turned Woods-Richardson into an effective 4th starter. I'd give him a C.

I tend to agree on Maki.  Twins pitching ranked in the bottom 3rd in ERA, but was ranked 7th in MLB in FIP.  That's a massive gap. It isn't the fault of the pitchers or pitching coach that the Twins defense was appallingly awful, nor that their catchers struggled to throw out base stealers.

Now, I'm not saying that Maki worked miracles.  The bullpen was legitimately bad.  However Ryan and Ober have improved under his watch, and SWR certainly exceeded expectations.

[DJL44]

2 minutes ago, Road trip said:

It isn't the fault of the pitchers or pitching coach that the Twins defense was appallingly awful, nor that their catchers struggled to throw out base stealers.

It's a little the fault of the pitchers. They're really bad at holding runners.

[Cory Engelhardt]

Just curious why Falvey is getting grades for player moves? I thought that would fall under Thad Levine, who you didn't list here?

[Cory Engelhardt]

2 minutes ago, Bigfork Twins Guy said:

I hope you are going to do one of these posts for the Bally and WCCO announcers Nick.  That would be fun.

Maybe Twins Daily writers and posters as well? :)

[Dave Borton]

42 minutes ago, Fire Dan Gladden said:

While I understand he is ultimately responsible for the on-field product, a lot went wrong that he wasn't able to directly effect: injuries, actual player performance, younger players vastly stinking, zero support from ownership. 

I am harder on Baldelli as those same factors could be applied to Detroit. Very different result w/Hinch managing an injury decimated, youthful squad.

David St Peter: F

Couldn't agree more. St Peter should have retired years ago and gravitated back to North Dakota.

[USAFChief]

47 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

It's a little the fault of the pitchers. They're really bad at holding runners.

The complete disregard for opponents' running game is an organizational philosophy. 

They've said so. 

They prioritize the hitter. Pay attention to the hitter.  Don't use a slide step. Not one pitch out, ever. Catchers on one knee even with runners on. Position fielders for the hitter, even if it takes them away from holding runners or taking a throw, particularly at 3rd. 

 

Rightly or wrongly, as an organization, they don't believe controlling the running game is important. 

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

9 minutes ago, USAFChief said:

The complete disregard for opponents' running game is an organizational philosophy. 

They've said so. 

They prioritize the hitter. Pay attention to the hitter.  Don't use a slide step. Not one pitch out, ever. Catchers on one knee even with runners on. Position fielders for the hitter, even if it takes them away from holding runners or taking a throw, particularly at 3rd. 

 

Rightly or wrongly, as an organization, they don't believe controlling the running game is important. 

Agree wholeheartedly, but it's not just the Twins. I think it's endemic to all of the mediocre teams competing for that 5th and 6th wildcard. 

Example. Can't remember the situation, I think it was the Miami series, but I do remember Trevor Larnach not being held at first base and being allowed to just trot down to second base late in a game in a not insignificant moment. Even on his bad hamstring. 

I may be wrong here again, but I would like to see the stats on 1st & 2nd, no outs, or even 2nd & 3rd, and not scoring. It seems like this has been a huge problem for a lot of teams, not just the Twins. Batters just don't change their approaces. Swing your swing and see what happens. Well I will tell you what happens: strikeouts happen. Or popups. At least against the better pitchers.  ...Rant over.

 

 

[S Bart]

 Joe Pohlad F-

He was named the CEO of the Polhlad's radio stations in 2016 after it was purchased.   It collapsed and was sold for a big loss in 2020. Note that his academic qualifications consist of a communications degree from small private liberal arts Stonehill College back east.  Two years ago, he was put in charge of the Twins. His biggest plan was to put forth a modeling show of the Twins new uniforms at the Mall of America. He helped design the new uniforms. Pohlad speaks of his concern for taking care of the family business, but he has no successful experience in that area nor does the 42-year-old have any academic background to show that he has knowledge on how to do it.

Interesting to note that fellow AL Central rivals, KC, Detroit, and Cleveland are BENEFITING financially at the moment by way of being in the playoffs. It was something that was predicted for the Twins up to a month ago. 

[S Bart]

One point of interest is the hitting and pitching coaches. I agree with the prior posting connected to Maki. He probably deserves a C grade. He was working with three rookie starting pitchers and others (Ober/Ryan) who have progressed under his supervision. I just found it mindboggling to see the number of Twins pitchers moving on and off of the roster the last couple of months. One minute Alcala is on the roster, then out, then back on. There were new contracts picked up for other team cast-offs (e,g. Richards) then let go. I would be curious to see a full list of those moves. It must be extensive.  I don't know that this is on Maki's shoulders as I believe Rocco was involved. Regardless, it should be noted that both Popkin and Maki never held those roles at an MLB level prior to being with the Twins. I also very much question Watkins remaining, although he is a good buddy of Rocco's. Watkins cost the Twins multiple games by not holding players at 3rd base. The ball waited for the runner at home plate and ended up in a hot box scenario. 

[S Bart]

1 hour ago, Bigfork Twins Guy said:

I hope you are going to do one of these posts for the Bally and WCCO announcers Nick.  That would be fun.

YES,,please do it. 

[gregens]

So Rocco gets a "D" which seems like a fair assessment.  I could easily be talked into a D- though.  I really wonder what grade ownership and the front office gives Rocco this year?   Obviously they are the one's that matter going into 2025.

[Greggory Masterson]

2 hours ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

Maybe Twins Daily writers and posters as well? :)

I'm out.

[Woof Bronzer]

Scary thing about all this is that I suspect Joe Pohlad views this as a successful season.  He was so excited about his goals for the season - to cut costs and squeeze some extra profit out of the team - that he couldn't wait a week after the 2023 season was over to announce it.  And he held firm on it all season.  They didn't reinvest their tv money, they didn't invest at the deadline.  Mission accomplished.  The only regret I'd guess they have is their idea to actively tank the tv situation so that fans will be forced to go to the stadium and spend big bucks didn't seem to work out as planned.  

[matt]

Missing a lot of important folks in here. Thad Levine? Base coaches Tommy Watkins and Hank Conger? Bench coach Jayce Tingler? Everyone's favorite new(ish) trainer Nick Paparesta?

[TheLeviathan]

1 hour ago, Hosken Bombo Disco said:

Agree wholeheartedly, but it's not just the Twins. I think it's endemic to all of the mediocre teams competing for that 5th and 6th wildcard. 

Example. Can't remember the situation, I think it was the Miami series, but I do remember Trevor Larnach not being held at first base and being allowed to just trot down to second base late in a game in a not insignificant moment. Even on his bad hamstring. 

I may be wrong here again, but I would like to see the stats on 1st & 2nd, no outs, or even 2nd & 3rd, and not scoring. It seems like this has been a huge problem for a lot of teams, not just the Twins. Batters just don't change their approaces. Swing your swing and see what happens. Well I will tell you what happens: strikeouts happen. Or popups. At least against the better pitchers.  ...Rant over.

 

 

I find it even more strange because baseball is trying to create more of a running game with rule changes.  It's likely that trend continues.

Why wouldn't we want to be ahead of that curve?  Look at the difference it has made for Cleveland, Cincy, and Milwaukee.  Those teams (well, not so much Cincy) don't have a ton of punch in their lineups put plate a lot of extra runs just by utilizing speed.  We were dead last in steals

Speed is an asset in the field and makes avoiding long run-scoring droughts less likely.  It is my number one thing I want this organization to rethink.  

[TheLeviathan]

Maki had a bunch of scrap heap dudes, rookies, and scrubs and they pitched behind a largely weak defense.

The man deserves better.

[Nick Nelson]

3 hours ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

Just curious why Falvey is getting grades for player moves? I thought that would fall under Thad Levine, who you didn't list here?

Like I said, I lumped the whole front office under Falvey. But FWIW I think he has more influence on personnel moves than Levine. At the very least, he has final say. 

[mikelink45]

3 hours ago, Fire Dan Gladden said:

I am not as down on Rocco as many seem to be.  While I understand he is ultimately responsible for the on-field product, a lot went wrong that he wasn't able to directly effect: injuries, actual player performance, younger players vastly stinking, zero support from ownership.  I would put him in the C-C+ range.  People are screaming for him to be fired, but I am not so sure that whoever ownership brings in will be any better off.

Now his coaches are another story.  You forgot to give Tommy Watkins an F as well, possibly the most deserved F outside of ownership.

Maki may get another year, but I have a hard time seeing how he keeps his job.  There is zero growth coming from the staff, with some guys regressing.

St. Peter's F was well earned this year too.   Unfortunately there is no light at the end of this tunnel until the team negotiates a national vs. regional tv contract, and they hire someone with even the smallest modicum of marketing skills.

I wouldn't give Pohlad a B,  because I am sure the Twins made money this year and that is all he cares about.  (hint: this is sarcasm)

Margot,0 - 30. Rocco gets an F. 

[Twins_Fan_in_NJ]

I was pretty high on Maki based on how Ober and Ryan finished 2023, and the development of Sands and Jax. But...oofda! I think he's safe for 2025. SWR took a big step forward and I think Festa has some upside as well, but even with that, Maki is on the hot seat.

[Twins_Fan_in_NJ]

During the peak of those Piranha teams, I used to think the media love for the Twins' playing fundamental baseball was kind of a backhanded compliment to mask the fact that they lacked top-end talent. However, after watching 2024, I miss the days when the Twins didn't consistently beat themselves. Way too many baserunning mistakes, fielding mistakes, etc.. 

[PatPfund]

I'd probably put ownership at a D, and the Falvines at F. The Front Office was given a clear number (and one $30 million higher than in Cleveland) early and they were coming off a year where building Starting Pitching depth just won them a division and playoff series. Instead of adding one or two #3-type SPs (well within budget as the market shook out), they spent on crappy veteran bats, and washed up/injured pitching. Even Santana was at best a neutral move (at an offensive position, he had one stellar OPS+ month in June, one worthy of a backup 1B in September, and 4 months where he hit at a backup utility IF rate aka horribly).

I see a clearer path for the FO to improve (they've clearly made good moves before) than possibly Rocco whatever their respective grades. (Lewis's comments about things falling on the youngest players, and the comment about 'we're not the White Sox' after being pushed to 2B in the middle of a playoff chase smacks of the manager losing the clubhouse. Something easier lost than regained.)