Down to Four Managerial Finalists; What Each Could Bring to the Twins

[Cody Christie]

Image courtesy of Top Row L to R: Ryan Flaherty (© Matt Marton-Imagn Images), Derek Shelton (© Sam Navarro-Imagn Images), Bottom Row L to R: Scott Servais (© Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images), James Rowson (John Meore/The Journal News / USA TODAY NETWORK)

The Twins are entering a moment of reset. With the front office evaluating roster construction and a clubhouse that needs a clearer voice, the managerial decision feels like more than a change on paper. This is a hire that will shape how young players are used, how veterans are managed, and how the team approaches both development and competition in the years ahead. That context helps explain why Minnesota is weighing both familiarity and a fresh perspective.

Rocco Baldelli was the face of the Twins for seven seasons, a manager who delivered division titles and an AL Manager of the Year award but who also closed his tenure with two disappointing seasons in a row. The front office moved on after a 2025 campaign that ended with the club losing 92 games, and the organization signaled it wants a different voice in the dugout going forward.

Multiple reports indicate the Twins have whittled the search down to four candidates: Derek Shelton, James Rowson, Ryan Flaherty, and Scott Servais. The names tell you a lot about what Minnesota is considering: experience with the current front office and a mix of proven managers and high-level coaches who know today’s players. 

Derek Shelton
Why He is Here: Shelton is the most Minnesota familiar name on the list. He served as the Twins' bench coach during the club’s transition to the Baldelli era and was a finalist in the 2018 search that ultimately brought Baldelli to Minnesota. That prior relationship with Derek Falvey and members of the front office seems to matter a great deal to the club as it seeks a steady hand who understands the organization's culture and roster construction philosophy. 

The Managerial Résumé and Caveats: Shelton’s big-league managerial track record comes from his five-plus seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates, where he struggled to win consistently with a club that lacked top-tier talent because the ownership group didn’t invest in the team (sound familiar?). The Pirates fired him after a rough start to a recent season, and his overall record as a big-league manager is well below a five-hundred winning percentage. That history means hiring him is a bet that familiarity and clubhouse fit will trump results elsewhere.

James Rowson
Why He is Here: Rowson is an offensive teacher with deep ties to the Twins organization. He was the Twins' hitting coach during the 2019 season when Minnesota’s offense put up historic totals, and he interviewed for the manager position in that earlier 2018 cycle. After stints in Miami, Detroit, and with the Yankees, he has continued to build a reputation as a developer of hitters and a steady clubhouse presence. For a team looking to have young bats take steps forward, Rowson offers credibility with hitters and experience running a major league staff.

The Managerial Résumé and Caveats: Rowson is not a proven big-league manager, but he is a familiar voice whom the Twins have already evaluated closely. According to the report from The Athletic, he was also very impressive during his interview with the Twins. If Minnesota wants an emphasis on offense, player development, and continuity with players who already respect the organization, Rowson checks many boxes. The main question is whether the front office wants someone who can be a strong in-game strategist beyond hitting instruction.

Ryan Flaherty
Why He is Here: Flaherty has been rising through the big-league coaching ranks quickly. A former utility man with eight seasons of major league playing time, he began coaching in San Diego and later served as the Cubs' bench coach under Craig Counsell. He has been in the conversation for multiple managerial openings, and his candidacy here suggests Minnesota is evaluating a younger coach who has experience in modern clubhouse management and analytics-friendly staffs. He fits a mold similar to Baldelli's when the Twins hired him. 

The Managerial Résumé and Caveats: Flaherty is attractive because he blends recent playing experience with rapid coaching growth, and he is considered a good communicator. He would represent a cleaner break from the Baldelli era than rehiring someone from that staff while still being connected to front offices and managers who have had success. The risk is that he is a first-time manager candidate at the big-league level, and Minnesota would have to decide whether it wants a developmental coach or a tested leader.

Scott Servais
Why He is Here: Servais brings the most established managerial résumé of the group. He spent nine seasons managing the Seattle Mariners, posting a winning percentage above .500 and producing several high-win seasons, including multiple campaigns with at least 86 wins. He is viewed as an experienced leader who has navigated playoff expectations and long-term roster building. After Seattle moved on from him, he worked as a special assistant for the Padres, keeping him close to the game and on other teams’ radars. 

The Managerial Résumé and Caveats: Servais is appealing if the Twins want a tested manager who has been in high-stakes season-long battles and who can manage a clubhouse of veterans and prospects alike. The counterpoint is that Servais has not been part of the Twins culture recently, so he is more of an outside hire, and the club would have to weigh that against the value of continuity. Reports also suggest that other teams have eyed him, which could complicate the Twins' timeline.

This shortlist reads like a front office that values familiarity and development but is not closed to outside experience. Shelton and Rowson have the inside track and direct ties to the Twins' way of doing things. Flaherty and Servais offer fresh energy and proven managerial methods, respectively. Whichever direction Minnesota chooses will tell us more about whether the club wants to double down on internal continuity or pivot toward a new voice for the clubhouse and a new approach for the roster.

Which of the final four candidates makes the most sense? Leave a comment and start the discussion.

View full article

[Blyleven2011]

The twins did Rocco a favor and fired him with a winning record  ...

Seriously  , Had he been allowed to stay another season he would have ended a below five hundred manager ,...

If he ever gets elected to the twins hall of fame , I'll hang up my cleats and root for another team  ...

I hope our future  manager is not quite the puppet our past manager was and manage a team the way a major league manager should  ...

In conclusion I'd rather see a manager do it his way of managing and get fired , than doing it Falvey's way and getting fired ...

[TL]

That’s a pretty varied list in terms of experience and familiarity. I lean toward Servais with this young team and need for a guy who has built credibility and experience outside of this organization. 

[the_brute_squad]

Servais or Rowston. Neither of them seem like Falvey "yes men". 

[Reptevia]

Out of this group I would say Servais, but given the payroll issues here, he will get a better offer. The other three sound like Rocco 2.0. 

[mikelink45]

Give me Rowson - fresh start with someone who has been with a variety of teams and knows hitting which is our current weakest attribute.

[beckmt]

my guess is with the lockout looming at the end of next year the Twins will go with the cheapest option available.  And finish the rebuild hopefully after the lockout. Next year Twins will need a great communicator because it will almost certainly be a trial by fire and a lot of moving parts at the major league level. 

[terrydactyls]

No mention anywhere of attention to fundamentals or defense.

[LA Vikes Fan]

Rowson with Ron Washington as his bench coach. Rowson develops hitters and sets culture of accountability. Wash teaches infielders and helps with in game strategy. Good blend and helps Twins their two weakest areas, hitting development and infield defense improvement. 

[Old Crow]

What was the weakest Twins area (aside from game day management)?  My vote would be for James Rowson no question.  

[Kevin Sheehan]

From Cody's post.. "Shelton and Rowson have the inside track and direct ties to the Twins' way of doing things."

Nothing against any of the 4 candidates and certainly not Cody but why would they hire someone tied to the "Twins way of doing things"? Does that mean more of the following?

Swinging for the fences with 2 strikes..

No oppo field hitting..

Missing cutoffs..

Bringing the infield in when a double play gets out of an inning..

Different lineups everyday..

Pitchers who can't field...

Fielders who can't pitch.. 

Please!! Let's find a better "Way" than the current "Twins Way"

 

[kenneth frank]

If it's not Servais, then my vote is for T Gardenhire. Not that my vote would count for anything, but just saying....

[Otaknam]

I agree with Mr. Sheehan post about the “Twins way.”

Swinging for the fences with 2 strikes..

No oppo field hitting..

Missing cutoffs..

Bringing the infield in when a double play gets out of an inning..

Different lineups everyday..

Pitchers who can't field...

Fielders who can't pitch.. Please!! Let's find a better "Way" than the current "Twins Way"

I would add a manager who :

Will utilize the speed they have, instead of doing an Earl Weaver and just waiting for three run homers that don’t come.

Who isn’t totally welded to analytics and making every decision based on a computer algorithm, especially with pitching.

Who will utilize his intuition periodically when making in game decisions, and is not afraid to communicate that to Falvey.

Show some trust in your starting pitchers to give you an extra inning or even two when they are doing well. What starter wants to be yanked after five innings when things are going well because the algorithm dictated it? I think that’s part of the reason Sonny Gray left. Also that helps to save the bullpen from overuse.
 

[the_brute_squad]

Can't help but tip my hat to the Dodgers Yamamoto. Two complete games in a row. In the NLCS and WS nonetheless! Our former manager and front office wouldn't / won't allow a pitcher to throw 18 innings in a month!

[Whitey333]

Im not and haven't been a Baldelli fan .  However IMO they would have been better off to keep him than to just hire a Baldelli 2.0. If i had to make a choice of those 4 it be Rowson.  I find it interesting that Toby Gardenhire isn't mentioned more.  But he definitely is not my choice and doesn't belong in the conversation.  But as their AAA manager not being considered us kind of slap in the face thing.  Just goes to show that the organization doesn't think a whole lot of him either.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

11 minutes ago, Otaknam said:

I agree with Mr. Sheehan post about the “Twins way.”

Swinging for the fences with 2 strikes..

No oppo field hitting..

Missing cutoffs..

Bringing the infield in when a double play gets out of an inning..

Different lineups everyday..

Pitchers who can't field...

Fielders who can't pitch.. Please!! Let's find a better "Way" than the current "Twins Way"

I would add a manager who :

Will utilize the speed they have, instead of doing an Earl Weaver and just waiting for three run homers that don’t come.

Who isn’t totally welded to analytics and making every decision based on a computer algorithm, especially with pitching.

Who will utilize his intuition periodically when making in game decisions, and is not afraid to communicate that to Falvey.

 

 

Show some trust in your starting pitchers to give you an extra inning or even two when they are doing well. What starter wants to be yanked after five innings because the algorithm dictated it? I think that’s part of the reason Sonny Gray left. Also that helps to save the bullpen from overuse.
 

I’m ok with Fielders who can’t pitch. I hate watching the looping 50 mph batting practice.

while I’m glad the Twins moved on, I think Rocco wanted to run more. Part of this is an FO and organization that doesn’t acquire and develop fundamentally sound baseball players. 
 

I don’t see that changing anytime soon.

[rv78]

Totally agree with Kevin Sheehan post. If we get Shelton or Rowson we get Rocco 2.0 with Falvey still in control. If we get Servais or Flaherty we might get change, and I say might because Falvey will still try to impose his will into their decision making. I just feel Servais and Flaherty would be more likely to push back against Falvey.

[TNtwins85]

I would love it to be either Rowson or Flaherty. I like both as they are outside hires with proven teams. Rowson has connections but he’s been with a few other teams since his stay in Minnesota. My question is why not have 2? Either of Flaherty or Rowson but have Shelton or Servais as bench coach. Haven’t heard their names floated around and they’re good baseball guys. My guess is that Rowson gets the job. At that point maybe ask Shelton or Servais to be bench coach. Hell, I’d even be up for having Punto as a bench coach as well. Really build it out and create a culture with the guys on the coaching staff. Get Falvey and Zoll out of there and let the coaches coach.

[TNtwins85]

19 minutes ago, Whitey333 said:

Im not and haven't been a Baldelli fan .  However IMO they would have been better off to keep him than to just hire a Baldelli 2.0. If i had to make a choice of those 4 it be Rowson.  I find it interesting that Toby Gardenhire isn't mentioned more.  But he definitely is not my choice and doesn't belong in the conversation.  But as their AAA manager not being considered us kind of slap in the face thing.  Just goes to show that the organization doesn't think a whole lot of him either.

I would love for Toby to be in the coaching staff! If he’s even anything like his dad he’s exactly the type of coach this team needs. 

[saviking]

The two on the left look like pussys. We need a real man walking to the pitcher to take the ball. 😉

[Patzky]

2 hours ago, LA Vikes Fan said:

Rowson with Ron Washington as his bench coach. Rowson develops hitters and sets culture of accountability. Wash teaches infielders and helps with in game strategy. Good blend and helps Twins their two weakest areas, hitting development and infield defense improvement. 

Is Washington even going to or be able to return to baseball in 2026? Hope he can just heal himself. 

[ashbury]

If they hire Rowson I suggest they give Pete Maki a raise and guarantee his contract for the length of Rowson's.  I'm thinking the pitching coach and the bench coach (whoever that turns out to be) will be pretty key in making sure Rowson's handling of the pitching staff is as good as possible - unless Rowson has some track record with pitchers that I'm unaware of.  I trust he'll be a good learner in that dimension.

[ashbury]

4 hours ago, Blyleven2011 said:

The twins did Rocco a favor and fired him with a winning record  ...

Seriously  , Had he been allowed to stay another season he would have ended a below five hundred manager ,...

... and instead now stands as the holder of the highest winning percentage of the Pohlad era.

[dxpavelka]

4 hours ago, the_brute_squad said:

Servais or Rowston. Neither of them seem like Falvey "yes men". 

anyone who gets the job and gets paid by the team will be whatever Falvey wants them to be.  Kind of how stuff works.

[Doctor Gast]

IMO, Falvey assessed that Shelton & Rowson were the easiest to hire so from the beginning their names were out there. So, when they hire one of them, he'd say they were their top & best choice for the position from the beginning. None of these made my top 8 & their 4 is a big drop off from my 8, IMO.

I'd be OK with Rowson if they have a terrific bench coach (Ron Washington would be a good choice if he'd be open). Someone who'd be focused on baseball smarts like fundamentals & gut feelings, not the MN way of 100% Falvey's analytics. IMO, I don't see any of these guys will bring in some valuable coaching with them. I'm not excited about the managerial selection because Falvey will be running the show.

[Nshore]

Ryan Flaherty.  Erin Go Bragh!

[Dave Borton]

5 hours ago, Reptevia said:

Out of this group I would say Servais, but given the payroll issues here, he will get a better offer. The other three sound like Rocco 2.0. 

Unsure about Rowson's temperament but Shelton seems to be his own man.

Good article in the Strib. years ago about Shelton's work ethic, work structure, and all the preparation he put in daily in Spring training. Article left me with the impression that he was a baseball man first and "an employee" quite secondarily.

I think we have 4 good candidates if all the wire services have it correctly.

[Dave Borton]

5 hours ago, LA Vikes Fan said:

Rowson with Ron Washington as his bench coach...

With his health scare last season, I think Wash's spikes are hung up.

[tarheeltwinsfan]

5 hours ago, Otaknam said:

I agree with Mr. Sheehan post about the “Twins way.”

 Also that helps to save the bullpen from overuse.
 

What bullpen?

[jaimedude]

6 hours ago, Old Crow said:

What was the weakest Twins area (aside from game day management)?  My vote would be for James Rowson no question.  

Agreed I want Rowson as the next Twins manager. This and I think Rowson will put together a really good coaching staff. A lot of positives in hiring Rowson.