The 5 Most Telling Quotes from Derek Shelton's Introductory Presser

[rv78]

1 hour ago, the_brute_squad said:

The still frame of youtube with Falvey, Shelton, and Zoll makes them look like they're more likely to play a game of 'Dungeons and Dragons" than it does a baseball brain trust. I've just become much less confident this team can turn things around quickly.

The image of Shelton and Tingler at the top of this article looks like they're either looking at a supermodel walking by in a bikini or they know they are the 2 luckiest guys that don't have a clue as to what they are doing, knowing that they have fooled Falvey into giving them jobs that pay hundreds of thousands of dollars.

[mikelink45]

What can he say?  I signed with the Twins because I was fired by one of the few teams worse than them with an owner who might make the Pohlads look semi-palatable.  I came here because Falvey is looking for someone that will not give him grief and continues to keep things smooth until he fires me in a few years.  And yes we have prospects - so does everyone else, we even had them with the Pirates!  Its off-season, time for optimism and inaction.  So let's dream on.

Good luck Shelton. 

[Twins_Fan_in_NJ]

The amount of word salad that comes from this organization...

[The Great Hambino]

To be honest, I'm not exactly sure what some were expecting from him, especially with Falvey staring at him from like 18 inches away as he answered every question.  Were we really expecting rogue honesty?  That's not very realistic. 

Though it was funny that most of the questions were clearly questions for Falvey/ownership.  I'm pretty sure Shelton isn't the one dictating payroll level and deciding which starting pitchers to trade.  

There was one interesting point he made buried within all the scripted Falvey-approved gobbledygook.  When talking about player development, he talked about how elite high school prospects are being funneled more and more into these showcase-type events where the emphasis is on talent and skills and not on in-game fundamentals like proper baserunning, defensive rotations, etc.  It's something that has been going on for some time in basketball with the proliferation of AAU and all-star competitions, but I hadn't thought about how much it's happening in baseball now too.  Paraphrasing here, he said when a player comes up to the majors now, you can't assume they know those things.  If there's any positive to be taken from the press conference, I think it was that passage.

Plus, we (or at least I) got confirmation that Jeremy Zoll is a real live person and not just Falvey's imaginary friend

[Jeff K]

14 hours ago, tony&rodney said:

Hard work and honesty are not an asset in our current world. Who do you know and how can you benefit personally in every transaction? From friends to spouses to children and onward, the prevailing or controlling element today is transactional. People are trying to change that dynamic but power prevails for now. Anyone who expected honesty is not paying attention. If Derek Shelton had answered questions in a direct substantive manner he would have been fired. Things can and do change; people change, hope for change.

Very well stated.  After all the rhetoric, this is the exact point.

[Woof Bronzer]

5 minutes ago, The Great Hambino said:

There was one interesting point he made buried within all the scripted Falvey-approved gobbledygook.  When talking about player development, he talked about how elite high school prospects are being funneled more and more into these showcase-type events where the emphasis is on talent and skills and not on in-game fundamentals like proper baserunning, defensive rotations, etc.  It's something that has been going on for some time in basketball with the proliferation of AAU and all-star competitions, but I hadn't thought about how much it's happening in baseball now too.  Paraphrasing here, he said when a player comes up to the majors now, you can't assume they know those things.  If there's any positive to be taken from the press conference, I think it was that passage.

Plus, we (or at least I) got confirmation that Jeremy Zoll is a real live person and not just Falvey's imaginary friend

Did Zoll actually say anything?  Really curious as to his role in all this. 

The fundamentals thing is interesting, I've always been fascinated by how the best athletes in the world can dedicate their lives to baseball, work their butt off to make it to the best baseball league in the world and somehow not understand how to run the bases or lay down a bunt.  My theory is all these guys were always the best player on their teams growing up so they were never taught these things in the first place.  The high school showcase thing makes sense and would seem to support that.  

Maybe 30 years ago the conventional wisdom was that development happens in the minors,,,but something has clearly changed.  

[ArraezChicken]

Leadership wanted a company man who will walk the company line and they got one. Dark days ahead, I'm afraid.

[Heiny]

Just watched the Shelton presser.  And I thought that Shelton seemed very comfortable with his answers and seemed more genuine than I got from Rocco but ultimately came away with the feeling of having smoke being blown up my arse.  Best of luck to Shelton.  He has his work cut out for him.

[jmlease1]

1 hour ago, The Great Hambino said:

To be honest, I'm not exactly sure what some were expecting from him, especially with Falvey staring at him from like 18 inches away as he answered every question.  Were we really expecting rogue honesty?  That's not very realistic. 

Though it was funny that most of the questions were clearly questions for Falvey/ownership.  I'm pretty sure Shelton isn't the one dictating payroll level and deciding which starting pitchers to trade.  

There was one interesting point he made buried within all the scripted Falvey-approved gobbledygook.  When talking about player development, he talked about how elite high school prospects are being funneled more and more into these showcase-type events where the emphasis is on talent and skills and not on in-game fundamentals like proper baserunning, defensive rotations, etc.  It's something that has been going on for some time in basketball with the proliferation of AAU and all-star competitions, but I hadn't thought about how much it's happening in baseball now too.  Paraphrasing here, he said when a player comes up to the majors now, you can't assume they know those things.  If there's any positive to be taken from the press conference, I think it was that passage.

Plus, we (or at least I) got confirmation that Jeremy Zoll is a real live person and not just Falvey's imaginary friend

I think this is right. I suspect some people were hoping to see him immediately go rogue with his contract safely signed, or do some performative blustery BS to distance him further stylistically from Rocco and/or stick a knife into Falvey. But that was never realistic for well...anyone? 

Manager press conferences like this are pretty meaningless. I'll be more interested in seeing how much changeover there is on the rest of the on-field staff, and then seeing what happens with the roster. Next marker for Shelton will really come in Spring Training, when there's an opportunity to see what he has the team doing differently.

I can tell Nick is out on Shelton already, though. But that seems to be more of a side-effect of him being out on Falvey and ownership than anything really to do with Derek Shelton. Which is fair: can't really blame anyone for having a "prove me wrong" attitude about the Twins right now. (while I don't have the same utter contempt for Falvey that some around here do, I would have moved on from him in the offseason and started this rebuild with a) someone else, and 2) a clean slate. Of course, I was also begging for new ownership. We don't get what we want, sadly...)

[Twinsrtheworst]

Soooo if I got this correct.  We are upset and concerned about what he did not say.  While also being outraged by what he did say.  Maybe pick a lane?  Or just be angry at everything…. I guess it adds to clicks, comments and the bottom line.  Wait are we not also outraged about the Pohlands adding to the bottom line?  

[Nick Nelson]

54 minutes ago, jmlease1 said:

I think this is right. I suspect some people were hoping to see him immediately go rogue with his contract safely signed, or do some performative blustery BS to distance him further stylistically from Rocco and/or stick a knife into Falvey. But that was never realistic for well...anyone? 

To be clear my expectation was never that he would "go rogue." I just hoped that he and the front office might have orchestrated or prepared some more compelling answers to these questions they knew were coming.

All I'm asking is for anyone involved with the team to give me a reason to believe or feel inspired. I'm not seeing it. "We're going to play competitive fundamental baseball" is an empty platitude that is completely contradicted by Shelton's track record over the past 6 years. And that is apparently all they got.

[JBK]

He's already got two strikes against him:  1. An owner that won't spend money, 2. An inept front office that stocks the roster with Mickey Gasper and Ed Julien types.

[Rhyno006]

I still can't help but think with a lock out looming in 2027 the Twins really just hired a place holder for the upcoming year anyway. I feel like that pending lockout is going to absolutely kill MLB to a certain degree and the Twins are simply biding their time until another more prosperous opportunity to sell the team emerges. 

Also, still waiting on who the new minority owners are and how they're going to be brought into the fold... or did I miss something? 

[Mike Sixel]

4 hours ago, Twins_Fan_in_NJ said:

The amount of word salad that comes from this organization...

What do you expect people to say in things like this?

[Mike Sixel]

1 hour ago, Nick Nelson said:

To be clear my expectation was never that he would "go rogue." I just hoped that he and the front office might have orchestrated or prepared some more compelling answers to these questions they knew were coming.

All I'm asking is for anyone involved with the team to give me a reason to believe or feel inspired. I'm not seeing it. "We're going to play competitive fundamental baseball" is an empty platitude that is completely contradicted by Shelton's track record over the past 6 years. And that is apparently all they got.

I really don't know what he could say, realistically, that would matter at all. 

I agree with that last part, btw....

[old nurse]

1 hour ago, Nick Nelson said:

To be clear my expectation was never that he would "go rogue." I just hoped that he and the front office might have orchestrated or prepared some more compelling answers to these questions they knew were coming.

All I'm asking is for anyone involved with the team to give me a reason to believe or feel inspired. I'm not seeing it. "We're going to play competitive fundamental baseball" is an empty platitude that is completely contradicted by Shelton's track record over the past 6 years. And that is apparently all they got.

3 days on the job and you expect him to know how he can play with the players he has never worked with except for Buxton. His goal of sound fundamental baseball out of a team that very few were at or near their ceiling is a lofty goal. 

[USAFChief]

I would expect an organization with a ~$1.5B worth to be prepared for a press conference announcing a major change in leadership. This is a big deal. Treat it like such.

I'd think a pro sports team trying to invigorate the 90% of the fan base that actively dislikes them at present to see this as an opportunity to begin turning the ship around, rather than yet another bland and energy-free snooze fest dulled even further by corporate word salad spiced with meaningless platitudes. 

I'd expect ownership to take this opportunity to reassure the fan base they have a plan to provide resources going forward. 

 

Silly me, I guess. 

[Riverbrian]

21 hours ago, tony&rodney said:

Hard work and honesty are not an asset in our current world. Who do you know and how can you benefit personally in every transaction? From friends to spouses to children and onward, the prevailing or controlling element today is transactional. People are trying to change that dynamic but power prevails for now. Anyone who expected honesty is not paying attention. If Derek Shelton had answered questions in a direct substantive manner he would have been fired. Things can and do change; people change, hope for change.

I'm thinking for running for a Senate seat. I want to try being honest and transparent. Here's my speech below. Will it work? 

I stand in front of the fine people of this fine state asking for your vote. I will be proud to represent your interests in Washington although I'm sure you understand that the special interests that finance the overwhelming majority of my campaign will be expecting me to act in their interests before I can even consider any issues that may make the lives better for the every day Americans like all of you, the fine people, who will be sending me to Washington on thier behalf. You all know that financial support isn't free and I will need that financial support to be elected in the future so I must act in their special interest. 

The majority of voters, will not call, will not ask questions, will never know how the legislation that I create benefits the people with the money to finance my future. The majority of voters collectively don't contribute enough money to sufficiently finance the campaign that I need to run just to to manipulate all of you into voting for me. Manipulation on this scale requires a consistent message repeated over and over again and that take ad buys, expensive public relation professionals... it take money... lots and lots of money.

I will not work across the aisle because what's the point. Party lines are drawn and I must vote what my party needs me to vote so the party can hold the majority for better service with less roadblocks for the major contributors to the party. There is nothing that I can do to end the gridlock in Washington so I will promise that I will contribute to this endless gridlock. 

I know the thought of more of the same may frustrate all of you but it's OK... it's alright. We will tell you how to feel. We have a big budget to get our message across... we have entire entertainment news channels that will tell you how to feel. You will choose who you believe and who you hate based upon on who you choose to listen to.

When something doesn't work out, we will blame the other side even if it is a direct result of policies that I support. You will agree with who to blame because the entertainment opinion news, not actual news, will tell you how to feel about it. We will use social media, to repeat the message over and over again, if you click on the message, social media will repeat it over and over again until you repeat it to everybody you meet in the street, until Thanksgiving with family is nothing but a political discussion repeating that message over and over again and it will spill over to word of mouth... until the message becomes intertwined with your soul. 

I'm saying please elect me... send me to Washington and don't worry about it because there is nothing you can do about it. Nothing is going to change if you elect me but I stand here asking for your vote anyway. It's OK... It's alright... I promise... you will not the know the difference because this is what you require just to get your vote in the first place. You require that we lie to you to get elected. You require that we say the words that you want to hear even if I will not lift a single finger to accomplish what I say. We know the words that resonate with you. We have researched them. I just thought you would appreciate the honesty as I tell you exactly what I will do as your represtative. I stand here and ask for your vote. Please send me Washington so I can get to... you know... doing what has been done for many many years now.   

 

[Jacksson]

A successful job interview hinges on telling the interviewer exactly what they want to hear and convincing them that YOU, above all others, can be trusted to follow the company line without needing to have a babysitter while keeping your comments non-committal, NOT throwing your boss under the bus and are just right to deliver on the expectations.  It will be a disappointing, frustrating season, and Flavey, based on Shelton's recent Managerial history and his familiarity with: the organization, the people at the top, an endless team rebuilding mode is counting on Shelton to toe the line and not bad mouth his boss.

[Schmoeman5]

Just for the hell of it, I went back and looked at Derek Sheltons press conference when he was hired by the Pirates. Although not identical, they were very similar. Preaching fundamentals, no talk of a rebuild, exciting young players coming from the farm system.  Oh and the focal point was to have fun. 

[IndianaTwin]

20 hours ago, jorgenswest said:

I suggest everyone simply go listen to the press conference and decide for themselves what is most telling.

 

Yeah, I did. I would have picked a pretty different set of five quotes. And I'd give a different interpretation on some of the quotes that were used here. 

As an example, here's how another reporter covered the payroll question.

While neither Falvey nor Shelton would reveal a specific payroll target for 2026, in part because of the fluidity of the offseason transaction period that is just starting, both of them gave strong hints that they won’t be asked to further pare down the roster and be forced to trade, say, one or both of their All-Star starting pitchers, Pablo López and Joe Ryan.

“When I sat down with Joe Pohlad, and I asked him the question, I said, ‘What’s on the table? What’s off the table?’ And his response to me was, ‘Ask me anything you want,’” Shelton said. “I got the answers that made me really want this job.”

 

I think this and other quotes capture the interaction better than what's in the OP. I'll echo the encouragement for folks to actually listen to the press conference.

[Riverbrian]

1 hour ago, Schmoeman5 said:

Just for the hell of it, I went back and looked at Derek Sheltons press conference when he was hired by the Pirates. Although not identical, they were very similar. Preaching fundamentals, no talk of a rebuild, exciting young players coming from the farm system.  Oh and the focal point was to have fun. 

I checked every new baseball manager press conference ever held since 1898. 

Yep... Same thing. 

[rv78]

4 hours ago, USAFChief said:

I would expect an organization with a ~$1.5B worth to be prepared for a press conference announcing a major change in leadership. This is a big deal. Treat it like such.

I'd think a pro sports team trying to invigorate the 90% of the fan base that actively dislikes them at present to see this as an opportunity to begin turning the ship around, rather than yet another bland and energy-free snooze fest dulled even further by corporate word salad spiced with meaningless platitudes. 

I'd expect ownership to take this opportunity to reassure the fan base they have a plan to provide resources going forward. 

 

Silly me, I guess. 

You don't change the message if you think you are doing everything right. It also isn't a major change in leadership. It's more of the same or they wouldn't have hired Rocco 2.0.  Shelton's answers were well rehearsed and gone over with Falvey before they sat down for the press conference. 

As for trying to invigorate the fan base...... they don't care. They especially don't think that 90% is anywhere close to the number that disapproves of what they are doing. It'll take an empty Target Field for the entirety of the 2026 season for them to get that message. Will everyone give that to them? No. Unfortunately there are still the Dad's that want to take their sons to the ball games each and every summer, no matter how bad the team is. They go for the experience. Winning to them is just a bonus. Only the hard core fans, that take winning as a reason to go, will be boycotting games. Will they be enough? Only time will tell.

As for ownership providing resources going forward.... Why would they spend now? They had a chance to take the next step after the 2023 playoffs and those chose to go in the opposite direction. The 2025 team showed nothing that would signal a bump in revenue would matter. Unless you want to go from a 70-92 team to 80-82.

[AceWrigley]

Made me laugh when Shelty referred to Joe Mauer as "Seven".

[JADBP]

On 11/4/2025 at 5:54 PM, Dawgzilla said:

All hyperbole, nothing less, very vanilla, uninspiring, etc.  Any reason for a large season ticket renewal, let alone new ones?  Not!  I see attendance around 1.3 million, which is down significantly; revenues will fall hand-in-hand as a result, hence a perpetual malaise and downward spiral!  Sorry!  You get mediocrity if you push mediocrity!

Yeah...this will substantially improve the value of the Twins franchise....like, REALLY???  Are the Pohlad's really believing the insanity of this plan?  Strip out all of the value of the team so it is more attractive to potential buyers?  That's your plan?  That's how you are going to sell the team for MORE money?  OMG the absolute stupidity is frightening!

 

[Nick Nelson]

15 hours ago, IndianaTwin said:

Yeah, I did. I would have picked a pretty different set of five quotes. And I'd give a different interpretation on some of the quotes that were used here. 

As an example, here's how another reporter covered the payroll question.

While neither Falvey nor Shelton would reveal a specific payroll target for 2026, in part because of the fluidity of the offseason transaction period that is just starting, both of them gave strong hints that they won’t be asked to further pare down the roster and be forced to trade, say, one or both of their All-Star starting pitchers, Pablo López and Joe Ryan.

“When I sat down with Joe Pohlad, and I asked him the question, I said, ‘What’s on the table? What’s off the table?’ And his response to me was, ‘Ask me anything you want,’” Shelton said. “I got the answers that made me really want this job.”

 

I think this and other quotes capture the interaction better than what's in the OP. I'll echo the encouragement for folks to actually listen to the press conference.

I did embed the full video so people could watch it for themselves. You can interpret as you please but I will say that you'd have to be quite generous to have a favorable read on the quote you shared above.

Shelton had no other manager job offers! Of course he wanted the job! Anything they were going to say was going to make him want it. 

[IndianaTwin]

13 hours ago, AceWrigley said:

Made me laugh when Shelty referred to Joe Mauer as "Seven".

Which did speak to his comments about appreciation for the past players, though Seven would have been on the roster for one of his prior years with the Twins. 

[IndianaTwin]

1 hour ago, Nick Nelson said:

I did embed the full video so people could watch it for themselves. You can interpret as you please but I will say that you'd have to be quite generous to have a favorable read on the quote you shared above.

Shelton had no other manager job offers! Of course he wanted the job! Anything they were going to say was going to make him want it. 

Yes, thanks for embedding the video, which made it easier to find. And I acknowledge that you have an advantage I don't, for better or worse, in having history with the people you are covering.

I'll also say that I got a different vibe in reading a couple other coverages of the article, which is fine in that you're three different people.

[Craig Arko]

26 minutes ago, IndianaTwin said:

you're three different people.

I’ve often wondered that about Nick, given the occasional abrupt change of perspective. Is one of the people called ‘9’, do you suppose?

[The Great Hambino]

17 hours ago, IndianaTwin said:

Yeah, I did. I would have picked a pretty different set of five quotes. And I'd give a different interpretation on some of the quotes that were used here. 

As an example, here's how another reporter covered the payroll question.

While neither Falvey nor Shelton would reveal a specific payroll target for 2026, in part because of the fluidity of the offseason transaction period that is just starting, both of them gave strong hints that they won’t be asked to further pare down the roster and be forced to trade, say, one or both of their All-Star starting pitchers, Pablo López and Joe Ryan.

“When I sat down with Joe Pohlad, and I asked him the question, I said, ‘What’s on the table? What’s off the table?’ And his response to me was, ‘Ask me anything you want,’” Shelton said. “I got the answers that made me really want this job.”

 

I think this and other quotes capture the interaction better than what's in the OP. I'll echo the encouragement for folks to actually listen to the press conference.

The bolded portion of the quote also stuck out to me (I didn't listen to the whole thing beginning to end but did catch this passage), but for a very different reason.

This was the first time this offseason that there has been an indication from someone in leadership (owner, FO, manager) that there is some semi-concrete idea of how they were going to proceed going forward.  Before it was "we expect/hope" to retain certain players or they "need to consult with the limited partners" or whatever vague platitude they put in its place.  Now, this quote tells me a few things:

1. A general plan actually exists.  I highly doubt hearing more complete unknowns made Shelton really want this job.

2. Something about the plan works in Shelton's favor.  That could be increased investment and an intent to be competitive right away.  However, it just as easily (more easily, IMO) could be an indication that he isn't going to be judged on the W/L record in the short-term and has the job security that would come along with that; that a more extended rebuild is coming.   Maybe he's excited to be able work with younger players on a timetable that doesn't require immediate success.

So we know there's some sort of plan, and that Shelton is on board with it.  So why do I think this means a longer rebuild is upcoming as opposed to immediate investment?  That leads me to point 3:

3. If they know the general direction they're going to be taking ... why would they continue to be so evasive about it if it was something that fans would see as a positive?  Fan morale is at its lowest since probably the contraction saga, and I'm sure they've noticed it with their 2026 season ticket/MyTwins membership sales.  Fans are dying for positive news.  The team is dying for something that could be used to sell some tickets. They'd have no reason to withhold that plan if it was something they thought fans would want to hear. 

Pairing this info with the rest of their messaging they've put out since the trade deadline makes me see a window of contention that does not open in 2026.  I'm guessing we won't be getting confirmation either way until the winter meetings, but I'm preparing myself for this.