6 Candidates to Be the Next Manager of the Minnesota Twins

[Brandon]

Mientkiewicz!!!!!!

I like all 6 of the choices above.  But bring in Douggie Baseball!!⚾️ 

It’s a good time for Baldelli to be let go with so many openings.  He could latch on somewhere and keep going.

In all seriousness they do need to bring in someone with fire.  Someone who can push the emotional side of the game.  

[Chris Spencer]

I would love to see Cruz get the job. His energy is what drove the Bomba squad. Hunter would be good too. Needs to be a baseball guy and not a total analytics need. Would also like to see some fire, Rocco was to nice. 

[cjvirnig]

Skip Schumaker very likely wouldn't even take an interview if one were requested. He voluntarily quit the Marlins gig because he was fed up working for an inept organization. My guess is he replaces Bochy as Rangers manager. Or possibly goes to San Francisco. He's out of the Twins' league. 

[T.O.]

So many people talk about Falvey dictating what Baldelli did? 
What do we really know? I know nothing. Did Falvey make Baldelli pinch hit Margot 30 times? does he call and have him pull a pitcher after 5 even though pitch count is low and he's doing OK? 
Is the obsession with analytics coming just from Falvey?

I wish I knew.

Does anyone really know how involved the owners are beyond "Save me money" ? 
Do owners even care about selling tickets, etc? Is their potential financial gain tied to future revenue sharing or something like that?

There's a lot I don't know. Does anyone have actual inside information?

[The Great Hambino]

15 minutes ago, T.O. said:

So many people talk about Falvey dictating what Baldelli did? 
What do we really know? I know nothing. Did Falvey make Baldelli pinch hit Margot 30 times? does he call and have him pull a pitcher after 5 even though pitch count is low and he's doing OK? 
Is the obsession with analytics coming just from Falvey?

I wish I knew.

Does anyone really know how involved the owners are beyond "Save me money" ? 
Do owners even care about selling tickets, etc? Is their potential financial gain tied to future revenue sharing or something like that?

There's a lot I don't know. Does anyone have actual inside information?

I don't think anyone knows what the owners are going to do because I'm not sure if the owners know what the owners are going to do.  Nothing they have done over the past two years has shown any indication of an actual cohesive plan.  Would they be in a position to run a billion dollar operation if their last name wasn't Pohlad?  I have my doubts

[JD-TWINS]

12 hours ago, mike8791 said:

No way should a former Twins player or current coach be named.  And forget a Gardenhire.  Toby has underperformed at AAA with developing players and winning teams, with the added obstacle of the acorn not dropping far from the tree adage(look at Ron's record in playoffs).

This team needs a strong, independent voice, one who Falvey/Pohlad could not control and one who brings fan enthusiasm back.  Who better than TK?  An outside proven manager(Schumacher, Hinch, Vogt) would be possible, except for their availability and the cost to bring them in.  Assuming he's still up for the job at 75, Kelly checks all the boxes needed in a new manager.  Yes, this would be a longshot but who else could bring the leadership, insistence on fundamentals and independence to quash poor advice from Falvey, et. al.?

Put the pipe down…….3 guys that are essentially all committed AND too expensive OR a guy that quit Managing 2 decades ago. How about Harvey the imaginary rabbit?

[Blyleven2011]

3 hours ago, sweetmusicviola16 said:

This mess is Falvey and Rocco together. I hold Falvey more responsible but Rocco fell on Falvey's sword for him. I honestly could care less right now 6who is the new manager as long as Falvey heads the FO. Yeah terrible attitude. But this is the attitude that Pohlad and Falvey have fostered.

What would you think of Mike Redmond as a manager and tori hunter as the bench coach ????

[JD-TWINS]

59 minutes ago, cjvirnig said:

Skip Schumaker very likely wouldn't even take an interview if one were requested. He voluntarily quit the Marlins gig because he was fed up working for an inept organization. My guess is he replaces Bochy as Rangers manager. Or possibly goes to San Francisco. He's out of the Twins' league. 

He was brought in to Texas a year ago as a special advisor a year after bailing on the inept Marlins……….can’t see him going anywhere but Texas…….he’s the best candidate brought up here for sure.

[RedLeg44]

I would like them to consider Michael Cuddyer for the job. He has done some coaching with team USA and has a good baseball pedigree. He was a good solid player and a twins HOF’er. Plus all his work with the youngster as of late means he should be able relate and connect with the younger players.

[JD-TWINS]

9 hours ago, mickster said:

disagree on that.   Torii Hunter would generate more fan applause

It’s not a popularity contest……WINNING gets people energized not a big smile nor what Twin City neighborhood someone is from …… WINS! ……fundamentals, effort, class, more hard work & Wins.

[Blyleven2011]

I want a manager that has the guts to win in extra innings ....

A manager has to manage not just the club house and lineup card but all aspects of the game   ... 

I want coaches that know baseball and players strength and weaknesses and hone those skills , I dont want 3rd base coaches like Watkins  ...

[JD-TWINS]

11 hours ago, Greglw3 said:

Joe Maddon would be the best on field tactician and run a game by far better than Rocco. Must add hitting but Madden is in a small group of 3 living managers who would instantly solve the myriad quirky ways Baldelli managed games including his lineups. Terry Francona (not available), Jim Leyland (too old??) and Joe Maddon. For me, he way he managed the Rays was flat out intimidating as his opponent. Excellence to the core.

Joe Madden may be the Pioneer of analytics so be careful what you wish for……..he’s 71 and living life in retirement. He does a 10 minute segment once a week with Brian Kenney on MLB Network and fishes.

Jimmy Leland is 80.

These two aren’t practical candidates and Tito isn’t going to a new job …….. particularly one that has a more screwed up ownership group than here in Cincinnati! His buddy that’s assisting him in Red’s dugout won’t leave Terry’s side.

I can’t imagine hiring anyone out of the group that worked there under Rocco. Gardenhire hasn’t shown any real skills other than personality, that I know of at a distance.

There has to be an assistant in Boston or Houston or Detroit or San Diego or Philly, etc. that fits the bill. It really depends upon the wish list Falvey has for his ideal candidate.

[JADBP]

12 hours ago, Rod Carews Birthday said:

One of the main problems with any of the candidates who are a part of the current system is that the biggest complaints involve development and training parts of the job.  We need better fundamentals!  So hire a guy who is already there and didn’t do it from that seat (or in AAA like Toby G)?  Our players can’t make the transition to the majors! So hire people who have already failed in that endeavor?  Hunter or Cruz!  Does straightening out this mess seem like an entry level job to you?  If offered the job, they would be wise to turn it down. 

For nostalgic and loyalty reasons it is easy to get excited about people already or formerly here.  However, if forward progress is going to be made, we need someone with experience from the outside — and yes, it might cost some money.  I would also hope that conversations would be had with the Twins’ four or so most established good players — Buxton, Lopez, Ryan, and Jeffers — to get some player level input.  I don’t know the right name, but experience is critical if we hope to compete any time soon.  

And also get input from TK about coaches that will teach fundamentals and hood players accountable.  Rocco was horrible inept at both.  
 

BYW, I don’t buy the excuse that all of Rocco’s sub-coaches are supposed to do these jobs while Rocco sets the path, the tone, the culture.  That’s pure BS. Rocco is still responsible for the job getting done. He’s still accountable for how his coaches failed him, the team, the fans and the owners.   He’s not a scapegoat.  He was in charge and failed miserably. 

[JADBP]

12 hours ago, Greglw3 said:

Joe Maddon would be the best on field tactician and run a game by far better than Rocco. Must add hitting but Madden is in a small group of 3 living managers who would instantly solve the myriad quirky ways Baldelli managed games including his lineups. Terry Francona (not available), Jim Leyland (too old??) and Joe Maddon. For me, he way he managed the Rays was flat out intimidating as his opponent. Excellence to the core.

Yeah. Like TRY NOT TO SUCK!  I take a slightly more uplifting approach which is to live up to your god-given talents, but Joe is saying the same thing and holding them accountable at the same time.  
 

Wallner, you are far more talented than you play.  Try not to suck!

Royce, you were a 1-1 because you have so damn much talent.  Try not to suck!

Lee, come on, Try not to suck!

Miranda, what happened?  Try not to suck!  
 

etc…

[JADBP]

10 hours ago, nicksaviking said:

Even if the manager doesn't allocate his time that way, he can allocate OTHER people's time that way. 

And both Molitor and Gardenhire DID allocate their time that way. Kelly did too until he delegated that assignment to Gardenhire.

But for the record, I care way more about the young guys consistently hitting the ball than I do anything else.

Tell me… what’s so bad about a manager chewing out a player for screwing up on the fundamentals…like runn in ng the bases?  Or spending some time with the troops hitting fungo’s once in a while????

maybe if Rocco looked up from his spreadsheets for a few minutes and actually got out there with the players, and held them accountable, he might still have a job???

I realize this is a big organization with lots of moving parts.  But management books abound with CEOs who would walk the production line and visit with the workers.  Not every day, but that presence is huge.

Rocco was just not present.  How many times I saw a shot of the dugout and the players are never talking with him.  Maybe Buxton or Correa but it just seemed like the culture was don’t talk to me unless I call your name.  Just disrespectful!  
 

Please find a manager who is present, who respects and teaches every player from the rookie to the vet.  And that respect includes calling out a player now and then, in whatever way helps them learn, grow, excel, and be the best MLB player they can possibly be and the best man that can be.  

[dxpavelka]

Add Jayce Tingler and Derek Shelton to the last and for the love of god take Torii & Cruz off.

[DocBauer]

I DON'T want the Twins to suddenly turn in to a "small ball" team. I still want them to focus on power. Power always plays. On the team now, or debuting sometime in 2026...more than likely...Buxton, Wallner, Lewis, Jeffers, Jenkins, Rodriguez, and possibly Gonzalez all have 20+ HR capabilities. Keaschall, Culpepper, and Lee all have double digit HR power.

But there's also a mix of HIT ability mixed in there as well, and more speed than we've had in some time. And speed can produce some SB, as well as the ability to take an extra base. It can also assist defensively.

So I want a manager who will assemble a solid staff thst will work on defense and the fundamentals. You have coaches on your staff to work with players, not just have a title. And without repetition, sometimes players csn grow lax.

With no offense intended to anyone, I don't want a 70yo manager who's near the end of his career. I want someone young enough to embrace the game as it's played today, and has the ability to connect with his players. Some of the guys I'm interested in have already been mentioned.

SKIP SCHUMAKER would be a great hire, but he's probably got his pick of jobs.

What about 43yo RICKIE WEEKS JR from the very well run Brewers? He was in the player development office 2022, and moved to bench coach in 2023.

CRAIG ALBERNAZ, 42yo, from the Guardians, who came up through the Rays system initially. SANDY ALOMAR JR, 59yo, is very well respected but has only had a shot at managing one time, for a couple weeks, at the end of the 2012 season as an interim. Still not sure why he's never received a shot at the main job.

Possibly 39yo RYAN FLAHERTY from the Cubs, who is their current bench coach, and has served in that capacity for the Padres from 2022-23.

All of these guys provide something a bit different in regard to playing and coaching experience, and are currently bench coaches for successful teams. All might be good fits as someone who fits the knowledge and experience and relative youth idea and might be ready to skipper a team.

But I do really like the idea of 50yo GEORGE LOMBARD from Detroit, as presented by Tom Froeming. He's been in the game as a player and coach since he was 18yo! And he's still young enough to connect with today's players, have good energy, and the ability to embrace the concepts and analytical side and today's game.

That's some of the options that I think fit the Twins: experienced, solid resume, young or relatively young, and all working for currently successful teams with solid managers running said teams. 

 

[sweetmusicviola16]

3 hours ago, Blyleven2011 said:

What would you think of Mike Redmond as a manager and tori hunter as the bench coach ????

I think I could support that.

[the_brute_squad]

Questions #1 for the managerial candidate and if they fail this one they don't need to continue the interview.

Do you believe lineup consistency is important?

[old nurse]

19 hours ago, Brandon27 said:

If you want fans back in the seats only name would that is Joe mauer 

Incorrect. Molitor is the only one who ever got people out to watch a sub par team. At 69 i doubt he wants to manage 

[old nurse]

Yup Maddon is the man for the job. Look at how welll he turned around the Angels. 

Yup they need a manager who can teach fundamentals. After T-ball, little league, high school, maybe college, 5 possible minor leagues plus instructional leagues, winter leagues and summer leagues for college the player still hasn’t learned much defense the major leagues manager is going to fix that overnight 

[Bodie]

21 hours ago, DJL44 said:

The biggest problem they need the new manager to fix is their poor defensive fundamentals. A team with Byron Buxton in CF shouldn't end up with the worst rated defense in the league.

True-ish.

But any team routinely putting the cast iron Canadian in the field isn't ever going to be good defensively. 

Not to mention the Incredible Bulk in RF, everyone (sans Bader) in LF, and of course every "anyone can play 1B" option after France's trade.

Bottom of the barrel D from half your position players will result in bottom of the barrel defense. Buxton or not.

[John Stamos Have Mercy Guy]

If they don't at least interview Mark Derosa, then this wasn't a real search.  

If it's me, I want someone as far away from this organization as possible to come in and shake some trees. 

Give me a guy who has had some success as a player who centers his approach around a genuine feel for the game who trusts his guys to do the job. 

Rocco seemed like he spent more time babysitting & micromanaging than instilling confidence. 

I also wouldn't be completely surprised if they take a look at Jace Tingler - he is the man responsible behind 'the Oprah Winfrey approach to base stealing.' You get a stolen base, you get a stolen base, YOU get a stolen base.' And he had some fun times running things in San Diego until he didn't. 

I think regardless of who they bring in, it's gonna be tough to get to 75 wins. Not only that, but it's a foregone conclusion that we're getting a work stoppage in 2027 - so does it really even matter?  (Of course it does,)

[Doctor Wu]

There are certainly many more worthwhile names to consider, including Albernaz, Weeks, Shelton, Tingler, Lombard, and others. Another wild card I'll throw out there is Ron Washington. He was just let go by the Angels yesterday. Okay, he was already the oldest manager in the league at 74, but he seems to have made a full recovery from his heart issues, and says that he wants to coach or manage again. If you talk the players he has managed or coached over the past 20  years, it's hard to find a more respected or loved guy than Wash. But would he be a good fit for the Twins? My hunch says no, but I respect the guy a lot and would love to see him get the job. 

[USAFChief]

1 hour ago, old nurse said:

 

Yup they need a manager who can teach fundamentals. After T-ball, little league, high school, maybe college, 5 possible minor leagues plus instructional leagues, winter leagues and summer leagues for college the player still hasn’t learned much defense the major leagues manager is going to fix that overnight 

Overnight? No.

Over time? Yes, that's one of his major responsibilities.

Nice strawman though.

[Russ]

New blood please.  Less platoon players and relievers who can go 2+ innings

[Whitey333]

If , as many people say, that the manager makes little difference in wins and losses then why hire one?  Let the great Falvey do it from his suite.  IMO an internal candidate like Toby Gardenhire would be a terrible choice.  

[old nurse]

26 minutes ago, USAFChief said:

Overnight? No.

Over time? Yes, that's one of his major responsibilities.

Nice strawman though.

You miss the obvious, not unusual 

[srlarson]

First Question you have to ask yourself..is who would want the job?  until ownership gets out of the way (new ones in town) they are destined to be bottom feeders.......they need to focus on player development....back to being a triple A team that plays against major leaguers......at least we aren't the White Sox!!  

[HrbieFan]

22 hours ago, bunsen82 said:

I am surprised Derek Shelton wasn't brought up.  Ties to Falvey.  Was in a more dysfunctional organization than the Twins.  Likely would have a better overall roster than he did with the Pirates.  Is currently available.  I really don't think the quality is going to be great to choose from.  He does have MLB managerial experience.  Not a great performance record,  but wasn't given quality rosters either.  

2nd option  would be Gardenhire.  

Biggest part with either, they would be cheap hires and that is the #1  criteria for the Pohlads