BREAKING: Twins Dismiss Manager Rocco Baldelli

[Nashvilletwin]

Just now, nicksaviking said:

Yes, he most definitely is. Gardenhire was specifically chosen to replace Kelly because he was the teacher on Tom Kelly's staff and the young players responded to him. Before becoming a manager Paul Molitor freely went to spring training for decades after retiring as a player to teach and instruct the young players. It is not a coincidence that they got way more out of their young players that Baldelli ever has out of his. 

Developing and getting the most out of young emerging talent is really the only way a small/mid-market team can hope to be continuously competitive.  This was never Rocco’s forte - and it needs to be for whoever may be his replacement.  

[Mike Sixel]

3 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

Yes, he most definitely is. Gardenhire was specifically chosen to replace Kelly because he was the teacher on Tom Kelly's staff and the young players responded to him. Before becoming a manager Paul Molitor freely went to spring training for decades after retiring as a player to teach and instruct the young players. It is not a coincidence that they got way more out of their young players than Baldelli ever has out of his. 

If only Molitor did a few other things differently.....

[DuluthDuke]

Rocco always struck me as a nice guy but I'd sure like someone with some experience managing (majors or minors) in 2026. Don't need 3 in a row with no managing experience. Coaching just isn't the same as being the head guy.

My concern is they'll continue/finish the fire sale and it'll be 1982 all over again. I don't really want to wait until 2030 for a chance at at .500 record.

[Rosterman]

I predict the beginning of the Toby Gardenhire era!

[CoachDW]

Rocco's out as manager for 2026. FINALLY! 

[Aggies7]

13 minutes ago, farmerguychris said:

Definition of a Scapegoat.  

Baldelli didn't select the players he had on the roster to put on the field.

Baldelli isn't responsible for player development, nor did he select the assistant coaches who were responsible for said development.

But facts are - the FO isn't going to fire itself. 

Additionally, we haven't figured out how to fire the owners yet - the true root of the problem.

I sincerely do not believe any manager could have won with this team, and this ownership group any more than Rocco did.

I expect he'll be on another team's dugout, or Front Office in 2026.

The manager isn’t responsible for developing players…at all? I think some posters think managers are just there to take up a spot in the dugout and can’t contribute in any meaningful way to the success or failure of a team.

[nicksaviking]

56 minutes ago, Nashvilletwin said:

Developing and getting the most out of young emerging talent is really the only way a small/mid-market team can hope to be continuously competitive.  This was never Rocco’s forte - and it needs to be for whoever may be his replacement.  

The fact that Baldelli made it seem revelatory that giving them free reign to steal bases as they saw fit, after SEVEN years on the job, says all there is that needs to be said about his development ideas.

If every decision every player makes on the field has to first go through Baldelli, these guys were never going to develop proper baseball instincts.

[MNBearCat]

I like Rocco, I think he is a solid manager, but it is the right move. 

[The Great Hambino]

The more I think about this, the more I'm shocked that he wasn't fired at the trade deadline.

It would be insane to let the post-deadline results have an effect on the decision one way or another, so it must've been decided that he wasn't going to be returning for 2026 at that time.  They have a bench coach with MLB manager experience in Tingler.  Why not use the final two months to test him out?  To me, the fact they didn't means they don't see him as a candidate.

Or maybe Rocco's foray into the land of aggressive baserunning was his first journey off Falvey's script and it cost him his job.  But that isn't what happened.  I'm about 95% sure of it

[AugieOjedaFanboy]

I agree with everyone saying this is a scapegoat and that not much is likely to change with the current folks in charge. Which is why I think they need to hire someone who will at least change the clubhouse vibe. And the right guy is theoretically available: Torii Hunter.

We know he wants to manage and he would set a very different tone in the clubhouse. It's just a shame it seems he doesn't have the best relationship with the Twins these days, just recently left the Twins for the Angels, and might get an opportunity to manage the Angels soon.

If they do manage to hire Hunter, though, it would be the first positive PR decision they've made in a long time.

[howeda7]

Of course Falvey should go too, but he won't. So this was the bare minimum that needed to happen. I hope the new hire will be from outside the organization and given the freedom to skip the 2 PM spreadsheet meeting when he sees fit. 

[Danchat]

Huh, well by golly they actually did it. It's hard to argue he didn't have this coming given how often this team has underachieved in 4 out of the past 5 seasons, but this does feel a bit scapegoat-y. Still, what was he contributing to the team? Even though the root of the issue is still at large (Falvey and the organization), they may as well try to improve the manager. I suspect we get a slightly different version of Rocco as the new manager, but I'd love to be wrong. 

[howeda7]

30 minutes ago, C-Gangster said:

Ill ask this again how is this Rocco's fault and not the Pholads

There's plenty of blame for the Pohlad's and Falvey, but Rocco still had the highest payroll in the division and bombed. 

[farmerguychris]

6 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

Yes, he most definitely is. Gardenhire was specifically chosen to replace Kelly because he was the teacher on Tom Kelly's staff and the young players responded to him. Before becoming a manager Paul Molitor freely went to spring training for decades after retiring as a player to teach and instruct the young players. It is not a coincidence that they got way more out of their young players than Baldelli ever has out of his. 

You think Rocco is in the bullpen teaching pitchers a new pitch?

You think he's in the batting cage, going over film on how to help Julien get out of his slump?  

Maybe Kelly did 35 years ago - but in today's baseball world - thats what assistant coaches are for.

Today - the managers are like the GM of a business.  They are ultimately responsible for the efforts of the team, and IMO, get too much credit, and too much blame when things to great or poorly.  But it is the assistant and position coaches who are responsible for player development.  In Rocco's case - he didn't even get to select who his position coaches were.  In fact - I don't even believe the coaches the FO selected were given the ability to coach the way they thought was best for the team.  Instead - I really think the FO selected the coaches, and then told them how to coach.  Just look at the success of Popkins before and after leaving the Twins.  

So sure - back in the day, Kelly was out there in his Zubas teaching the fundamentals to the 3rd baseman - I just don't think thats how it works in 2025.  The Manager.... manages (what this FO will let him manage).  The hitting coaches develop (or don't develop) the hitters, and the pitching coaches develop (or don't develop) the pitchers.

If we have poor player development (we do) I believe this is on the FO because they are the ones selecting who develops the players.

I feel very confident saying that nothing will change with a new manager - as long as the FO is selecting the position coaches, and possibly telling them how to coach - nothing will change.

[RpR]

4 minutes ago, MNBearCat said:

I like Rocco, I think he is a solid manager, but it is the right move. 

Hmm, a manager who has a team that does not know basic baseball tactics and does NOTHING about it for year.

Stupidity has just rewards.

[farmerguychris]

5 minutes ago, Aggies7 said:

The manager isn’t responsible for developing players…at all? I think some posters think managers are just there to take up a spot in the dugout and can’t contribute in any meaningful way to the success or failure of a team.

A manager can help develop players.  BUT - that responsibility falls primarily to the position coaches in 2025.  However, Rocco never got to pick his own position coaches.  

[shimrod]

Designating Buxton as player-manager would not shock me. Provided, of course, Byron doesn't expect a raise along with the additional responsibility.

[LewFordLives]

9 minutes ago, Rigby said:

Wouldn't surprise to go through the dog and pony and land on Shelton. 

Was thinking the exact same thing. Interesting though...I have relatives who are Pirates fans and their complaints about Shelton were similar to complaints about Rocco.....poor feel for the game....head scratching game decisions.... etc..

[RpR]

1 minute ago, farmerguychris said:

You think Rocco is in the bullpen teaching pitchers a new pitch?

You think he's in the batting cage, going over film on how to help Julien get out of his slump?  

Maybe Kelly did 35 years ago - but in today's baseball world - thats what assistant coaches are for.

Today - the managers are like the GM of a business.  They are ultimately responsible for the efforts of the team, and IMO, get too much credit, and too much blame when things to great or poorly.  But it is the assistant and position coaches who are responsible for player development.  In Rocco's case - he didn't even get to select who his position coaches were.  In fact - I don't even believe the coaches the FO selected were given the ability to coach the way they thought was best for the team.  Instead - I really think the FO selected the coaches, and then told them how to coach.  Just look at the success of Popkins before and after leaving the Twins.  

So sure - back in the day, Kelly was out there in his Zubas teaching the fundamentals to the 3rd baseman - I just don't think thats how it works in 2025.  The Manager.... manages (what this FO will let him manage).  The hitting coaches develop (or don't develop) the hitters, and the pitching coaches develop (or don't develop) the pitchers.

If we have poor player development (we do) I believe this is on the FO because they are the ones selecting who develops the players.

I feel very confident saying that nothing will change with a new manager - as long as the FO is selecting the position coaches, and possibly telling them how to coach - nothing will change.

That is rationalizing his failure, 

HE was the HEAD coach , he is responsible for ALL that HIS coaches do, no excuses.

[Chris Spencer]

35 minutes ago, C-Gangster said:

Ill ask this again how is this Rocco's fault and not the Pholads

He had a decent team to work with before the fire sale. If he was doing a good job the fire sale was probably not necessary, Not defending the ownership, they need to go as well, 

[FlyingFinn]

17 minutes ago, CRF said:

I'm thinking they promote Toby Gardenhire to the big chair now. He'll be cheap, and he knows the players. 

Same line of thought but I much prefer Brian Dinkleman, and he has been great at developing players.

[farmerguychris]

1 minute ago, RpR said:

That is rationalizing his failure, 

HE was the HEAD coach , he is responsible for ALL that HIS coaches do, no excuses.

Agreed he was responsible.  Problem with that is - he didn't even get to pick the coaches he would be responsible for.  Those were people picked by the F.O.

[Woof Bronzer]

2 minutes ago, farmerguychris said:

 However, Rocco never got to pick his own position coaches.  

Source?  I'm no Rocco defender but this would be quite strange.

 

[Riverbrian]

I don't know anything about the inner workings of the decision making process at 1 Twins way to be happy or sad over this so I'll carry on with my day. 

If Rocco is part of the development bottleneck. OK... Let's get this thing cleared. If it's because they think that Rocco isn't the best choice for development... OK... Let's get this thing cleared. 

I don't know the thoughts, preferences, manager style of any potential candidates so I won't even try to recommend anyone. 

The only manager that I know that will do things the way I'd like to see them done is me. I'll wait for my phone to ring. 

[howeda7]

5 minutes ago, Woof Bronzer said:

Source?  I'm no Rocco defender but this would be quite strange.

 

I'm sure it was a "collaborative effort" to pick the coaches but I sort of doubt he got to pick whoever he wanted. 

[CoachDW]

Post trade deadline, it was reported that Jace Tingler told Rocco to unleash the running game, it apparently wasn't Rocco's idea. I imagine Tingler will be gone with Rocco, but having the Twins take chances on the bases and run at every opportunity was fun. I can only hope that the new manager keeps this style of baseball, and does away with the "always do the contact play" no matter what runner is on third base, and the "play the infield in in the first or second inning" insanity that led to multiple opponent's crooked numbers on the scoreboard numerous times over the past few years. Please, give up the run early in the game for a chance to turn two and avoid the big inning once in a while! If this changes, then we will know that the new manager is turning the team in a different direction, and if it doesn't, then we know that the manager is just doing what the front office commands off of the spreadsheet, which is what I think Rocco has been doing since taking over for Paul Molitor. Rocco was never going to change, maybe somebody new will make Twins baseball exciting again. We can only hope...

[SteveLV]

Seems like a nice, thoughtful guy.

But like it or not, I don't think there is ANY evidence that he elevated the play of his team or any particular players during his tenure.

Time to try someone else.

[Jacksson]

” I take personal responsibility for that”
BUT
Baldelli:
Insisted on waiting for the long ball.
Was totally in love with platooning.
Pretty much never employed the bunt.
Pretty much never had players steal bases.
(Both improved as the season wore on).
Baserunning skills were virtually non-existent.
Pitchers were woeful at fielding their position and then making an ACCURATE throw to 1B.
Never seemed “in sinc” with the Bullpen Coach when it came down to who to have warm up and who to bring in to pitch.
Players with performance issues DID NOT IMPROVE those under performing skill areas as the season wore on.

Did he provide enough of and the right kind of feedback to the PBO and the GM?
Did he provide enough of and the right kind of feedback to his coaching staff?
BESIDES:,
Flavey needed a SCAPEGOAT to blame the team’s failure on to save his own job. (FOR THE MOMENT – He could be next)

[Old Twins Hat]

Face it:  the Twins were not a fundamentally sound baseball team, and they haven't been for quite some time.  

Running the bases?  Most years, just terrible.

Holding runners?  Terrible.

Hitting with runners on base?  Terrible.

Defense?  Mediocre.

Desire to win?  Nope.

I know the players are ultimately responsible for sound baseball plays, but the manager can and should dictate what is acceptable and what isn't when he fills out the lineup card.

Great guy, very articulate, cared for his players.  

But, the Twins just did not play like a well-coached team.  

For that, look to Milwaukee.

 

[TheLeviathan]

There is nothing more on-brand for the 2025 Twins than for the team to have handed Rocco an extension, talked up their long-term partnership.....and then fire him two months later.

I'm fine moving on.  I'm a bit shocked the owners are about to pay two managers at the same time and/or eat the buyout.  That's "Sailors on Shore Leave" kind of wild spending from the misers in charge......but I hope they find someone who can help this team shape an identity and mold the young players into a contender.

I'm not sure if Rocco was that guy or if he was being held back by the organization and their system-wide failures.  I guess we'll find out what the new guy can do and how much it deviates.