Twins Manager Search Heats Up as Angels Hire Familiar Name

[Cody Christie]

The Minnesota Twins’ managerial search continues to unfold after the club parted ways with Rocco Baldelli following two straight disappointing seasons. While the Twins evaluate potential replacements, other teams around baseball are finalizing their own hires, narrowing the field of possible candidates.

Angels Find Their Man
The Los Angeles Angels have officially named Kurt Suzuki as their next manager, ending weeks of speculation about the team’s direction. Suzuki, a former MLB catcher and 2022 retiree, had been working as a special assistant in the Angels’ front office before landing the top job.

The move came after a whirlwind few days that saw Albert Pujols emerge as the early favorite. However, according to multiple reports, Pujols and the Angels could not reach an agreement on contract terms or coaching staff decisions. That opened the door for Suzuki, who had also interviewed with the San Francisco Giants earlier this month.

While Suzuki has no prior coaching or managerial experience, the Angels believe his leadership qualities and familiarity with the organization make him an ideal fit. Interestingly, former Twins skipper Baldelli was also linked to the opening before Suzuki was officially hired. Baldelli’s availability could make him an appealing option for another team looking to fill a managerial vacancy. 

Torii Hunter Steps Aside
Twins legend Torii Hunter has reportedly withdrawn his name from consideration for Minnesota’s managerial job. According to SKOR North’s Declan Goff, Hunter "did have a conversation with Twins brass about the position," but Hunter "told the Twins he wasn't interested in managing the team." Goff went on to say he isn't sure Hunter's conversation with the Twins was a formal interview, and that he's assuming the talks happened before the Angels hired Suzuki. 

Hunter, who spent 12 of his 19 big league seasons in Minnesota, remains one of the most beloved players in franchise history. His mix of charisma, defensive brilliance, and leadership made him a fan favorite during his two stints with the Twins. While his name generated buzz among fans hoping for a reunion in the dugout, Hunter prefers a different position at this time.

Hunter also interviewed for the Angels’ vacancy before Suzuki was hired, suggesting that teams see his leadership potential even if he isn’t quite ready to make the leap into managing. For the Twins, his decision to step aside means their search will focus elsewhere, potentially toward more experienced or analytically inclined candidates.

Scott Servais Enters the Conversation
One name that has emerged as a serious possibility is former Seattle Mariners manager Scott Servais. According to La Velle E. Neal III of the Star Tribune, Servais is expected to interview for the Twins’ managerial opening. He represents the most experienced candidate linked to Minnesota’s search so far.

Servais managed the Mariners for eight full seasons, guiding the team to its first playoff appearance in over 20 years in 2022. His tenure included several competitive seasons, though Seattle’s inconsistent performance and offensive struggles ultimately led to his dismissal in 2024, with the club sitting at a .500 win-loss record. After parting ways with the Mariners, Servais joined the San Diego Padres’ front office as a special assistant.

Given his track record of stabilizing a mid-market club and developing young talent, Servais could be a natural fit for the Twins. Minnesota has a strong foundation of young players like Brooks Lee, Luke Keaschall, and (eventually) Walker Jenkins, so the front office may prefer a veteran leader who has managed through similar roster transitions.

What Comes Next
The Twins’ search for their next manager appears to be narrowing, though the timeline remains uncertain. With Suzuki off the board and Hunter stepping aside, Minnesota’s front office will likely focus on experienced candidates like Servais or other options around the league.

Whoever takes over will inherit a team with postseason aspirations but plenty of questions. The next manager must find a way to spark a talented but inconsistent roster and guide the Twins back to the top of the AL Central.

What do you make of the latest news and notes surrounding the team’s managerial opening? Leave a comment below and join the discussion.

 

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[nicksaviking]

I'm not saying he won't work but:

"Given his track record of stabilizing a mid-market club and developing young talent, Servais could be a natural fit for the Twins."

Did he develop young talent? I thought that's exactly why he got fired. Under Servais the Mariners did well as far as the rotation goes, but offensively they sputtered every single year with most young hitters never showing a level of consistency needed to be an actual contender. Sounds pretty familiar.

[sampleSizeOfOne]

Congratulations, Mr. Suzuki, on your new position!

 

May you win more often than expected!

[Mike Sixel]

5 minutes ago, sampleSizeOfOne said:

Congratulations, Mr. Suzuki, on your new position!

 

May you win more often than expected!

They have so much confidence in him they gave him a 1 year deal......

[Hubie29]

I would like some experience with the new hire. But how much experience will Falvey allow? Experience usually comes with new ideas and plans. Falvey has his own ideas and plans. Servais would be an ok hire if that's the only guy with experience. I just don't want to go down the Baldelli route again for the next five years. 

[The Great Hambino]

30 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

They have so much confidence in him they gave him a 1 year deal......

I can't imagine why the contract talks with Pujols broke down

[Sjoski]

54 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

They have so much confidence in him they gave him a 1 year deal......

It's just common sense,  if the Twins have any they would do the same.

The one-year deal for Suzuki lines up perfectly with the one year left on the GM’s contract.

The Angels' decision to offer manager Kurt Suzuki a one-year contract, suggesting that both the manager and GM's tenures are being evaluated together.

[Rod Carews Birthday]

I personally am glad that Torii Hunter took his name out of the mix.  The expectations that would come with a former star player on his own team would likely be impossible to live up to, and he has no track record to suggest that he could do that.  It would have the potential to be a bad situation for both the Twins and for Torii, and it would also likely tarnish Torii's good name/reputation/legacy with the team.  

[mickster]

20 minutes ago, Sjoski said:

It's just common sense,  if the Twins have any they would do the same.

The one-year deal for Suzuki lines up perfectly with the one year left on the GM’s contract.

The Angels' decision to offer manager Kurt Suzuki a one-year contract, suggesting that both the manager and GM's tenures are being evaluated together.

And a lockout in 2026 where they don't have to pay a manager if they don't have one

[mickster]

Just now, mickster said:

And a lockout in 2026 where they don't have to pay a manager if they don't have one

after 2026

[nicksaviking]

3 minutes ago, mickster said:

And a lockout in 2026 where they don't have to pay a manager if they don't have one

Yeah, that makes more sense.

That seems like a precedent the Twins owners would pounce on as well.

[Sjoski]

2 hours ago, mickster said:

after 2026

You can edit your postings...look for ••• on upper right

Tap it...then "edit"

[Blyleven2011]

Nobody knows the trouble I've seen ...

That trouble is out the door now and looking for another job ....

Cody says baldelli was linked to the angels , did he get an actual interview , has he interviewed with any team yet  ???

Cody says other teams will take advantage of baldelli's availability and hire him ( i sure hope other teams realize Rocco and Falvey's plan was not winning baseball )

A choice with experience that would give the twins players a spark would be mike Redmond , ex catcher for the twins managed in Miami with a crummy team , how do you gauge that  ???

Redmond also was a bench coach in Colorado   , Redmond was a well liked player  , great comical clubhouse guy  ...

Hes got the qualifications at least for an interview  with the twins  ...

I think he could ignite this team and he would work with the player's and strengthen their talent ...

Cover all the bases falvey ...

[mikelink45]

6 hours ago, Mike Sixel said:

They have so much confidence in him they gave him a 1 year deal......

this is the Angels - if there is any team that can make the Twins brass look like Einstein it is this Angel mess!

[UpstateNewYorker]

17 hours ago, Rod Carews Birthday said:

I personally am glad that Torii Hunter took his name out of the mix.  The expectations that would come with a former star player on his own team would likely be impossible to live up to, and he has no track record to suggest that he could do that.  It would have the potential to be a bad situation for both the Twins and for Torii, and it would also likely tarnish Torii's good name/reputation/legacy with the team.  

Great point. When a team hires a popular ex-player as the manager, at some point the club will have to fire that guy, which generally creates bad feelings all around.  

[Doctor Wu]

17 hours ago, Sjoski said:

The one-year deal for Suzuki lines up perfectly with the one year left on the GM’s contract.

The Angels' decision to offer manager Kurt Suzuki a one-year contract, suggesting that both the manager and GM's tenures are being evaluated together

Well, that does make sense on one level, but still ... it's a bit of an insult, or lack of confidence, to sign your new manager to only a 1-year deal. Sure, this will be Suzuki's first manager job, but yikes, one year with a team like the Angels isn't much of a trial. I can't think of any other team giving their new  manager such a short contract in recent memory. 

[dxpavelka]

18 hours ago, Hubie29 said:

I would like some experience with the new hire. But how much experience will Falvey allow? Experience usually comes with new ideas and plans. Falvey has his own ideas and plans. Servais would be an ok hire if that's the only guy with experience. I just don't want to go down the Baldelli route again for the next five years. 

The last time the Twins hired a manager with big league experience was when they hired Gene Mauch in 1976.  And he was most famous for managing an epic collapse a decade previous.  Don't hold your breath.

[Conman]

If I was the twins I would hire AJ piersinsky.. I hope I spelled his name right..

[sampleSizeOfOne]

20 hours ago, Mike Sixel said:

They have so much confidence in him they gave him a 1 year deal......

Is the skill of getting your foot in the door distinct from that of blocking the plate?

I cannot tell...

[Western SD Fan]

18 hours ago, Rod Carews Birthday said:

I personally am glad that Torii Hunter took his name out of the mix.  The expectations that would come with a former star player on his own team would likely be impossible to live up to, and he has no track record to suggest that he could do that.  It would have the potential to be a bad situation for both the Twins and for Torii, and it would also likely tarnish Torii's good name/reputation/legacy with the team.  

I'm not sure that Torii as a manager would tarnish his legacy with the team or at least with the fans.  The most recent example would be Paul Molitor as it appears that his legacy or reputation has not been tarnished by his managerial foray with the Twins.  IMHO, most of us believe that the Twins are a work in progress to put it nicely so I'm not sure Torii would be blamed if the team didn't succeed as manager.  The fact that Torii is not interested in the job says a lot about Torii as he doesn't want to give up his best life for what looks to be a dumpster fire.  I think this also says a lot about Falvey and/or ownership that Torii declined to even be formally interviewed for the job.

[Brock Beauchamp]

25 minutes ago, Conman said:

If I was the twins I would hire AJ piersinsky.. I hope I spelled his name right..

You didn't, but welcome to Twins Daily anyway! 😄

[P Meyer]

It's so funny how most of the league indicates that baseball managers are incredibly unimportant.

[C-Gangster]

1 hour ago, Conman said:

If I was the twins I would hire AJ piersinsky.. I hope I spelled his name right..

first of all Welcome to Twins Daily! Second of all I despise Aj Perzynski. But that is a great perspective

[BillyBallLives]

3 hours ago, UpstateNewYorker said:

Great point. When a team hires a popular ex-player as the manager, at some point the club will have to fire that guy, which generally creates bad feelings all around.  

The Twins have hired 4 x-Twins.  So 3/4  fit your case. High chance of bad feelings. 

1. Billy Martin... fired
2. Frank Quilici...fired
2. Tom Kelly...he retired on his terms
3. Paul Molitor... fired

[BillyBallLives]

4 hours ago, Doctor Wu said:

Well, that does make sense on one level, but still ... it's a bit of an insult, or lack of confidence, to sign your new manager to only a 1-year deal. Sure, this will be Suzuki's first manager job, but yikes, one year with a team like the Angels isn't much of a trial. I can't think of any other team giving their new  manager such a short contract in recent memory. 

I don’t see it as an insult at all. The one-year deal just keeps things aligned with Minasian’s contract. If the front office changes, the new GM shouldn’t be handcuffed to a manager he didn’t hire. It’s smart, not disrespectful.

[chpettit19]

8 minutes ago, BillyBallLives said:

I don’t see it as an insult at all. The one-year deal just keeps things aligned with Minasian’s contract. If the front office changes, the new GM shouldn’t be handcuffed to a manager he didn’t hire. It’s smart, not disrespectful.

Is it going to be considered smart if he does a great job and then goes to another team after the year and they have to go find a new manager? That's one of the many reasons why teams very rarely ever have a lame duck manager.

Not to mention how much respect he can demand in the clubhouse as a first-time manager who the players aren't even sure will be around beyond that year because the org didn't trust their hire enough to give him more than 1 year.

[Mike Sixel]

14 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

Is it going to be considered smart if he does a great job and then goes to another team after the year and they have to go find a new manager? That's one of the many reasons why teams very rarely ever have a lame duck manager.

Not to mention how much respect he can demand in the clubhouse as a first-time manager who the players aren't even sure will be around beyond that year because the org didn't trust their hire enough to give him more than 1 year.

Especially since we know they wanted pujols first, but he wouldn't take a one year deal....

[bean5302]

Hunter declining to continue the discussion is a huge red flag against Falvey. No ifs ands or buts. Hunter interviewed with the Angels and he's clearly interested in managing, even for a team in a perpetual mess situation like the Angels.

Hunter's just not interested in working for Falvey. The only way you turn down an opportunity even before you can get an offer is when the hiring manager presents a a basket-load of "absolute nope" during the initial discussions.

[The Great Hambino]

49 minutes ago, bean5302 said:

Hunter declining to continue the discussion is a huge red flag against Falvey. No ifs ands or buts. Hunter interviewed with the Angels and he's clearly interested in managing, even for a team in a perpetual mess situation like the Angels.

Hunter's just not interested in working for Falvey. The only way you turn down an opportunity even before you can get an offer is when the hiring manager presents a a basket-load of "absolute nope" during the initial discussions.

Hunter declining to interview is a red flag, but I'm not sure it's against Falvey. 

It's just a rumor, but this article suggests that ownershp is the real red flag:

"From more than one source, I personally have been told that candidates have expressed interest in the Twins roster and front office, that Derek Falvey can make things work. However, ownership being a “mess” has become a recurring hurdle throughout the process, so far."

I know, a blog rumor wouldn't exactly hold up as evidence in a court of law.  Maybe the "multiple sources" are Falvey and Zoll, for all I know.  But there's a decent chance there's at least some truth to it.  I'm not saying it isn't against Falvey, but it could just as easily be about ownership (all of the above is certainly also on the table).

[bean5302]

4 hours ago, The Great Hambino said:

Hunter declining to interview is a red flag, but I'm not sure it's against Falvey. 

It's just a rumor, but this article suggests that ownershp is the real red flag:

"From more than one source, I personally have been told that candidates have expressed interest in the Twins roster and front office, that Derek Falvey can make things work. However, ownership being a “mess” has become a recurring hurdle throughout the process, so far."

I know, a blog rumor wouldn't exactly hold up as evidence in a court of law.  Maybe the "multiple sources" are Falvey and Zoll, for all I know.  But there's a decent chance there's at least some truth to it.  I'm not saying it isn't against Falvey, but it could just as easily be about ownership (all of the above is certainly also on the table).

The fact Falvey wasn't able to quell concerns about ownership is a problem. Managers shouldn't be reporting to owners.