How Rare Is This? The Weird Timing Of Falvey’s Departure

[Eric Blonigen]

Derek Falvey and the Twins shockingly parted ways on Friday, a mere week and a half before pitchers and catchers report to the Lee Health Sports Complex in Fort Myers. This “mutual” parting of ways has wide-ranging implications for the 2026 season, and raises no few questions that will be explored here on Twins Daily in the coming days.

One such is this: are there even historical precedents for a GM or analogue to jump ship or get fired (depending on how you interpret Tom Pohlad and Derek Falvey’s statements) this late in the offseason, just when teams are preparing to ramp up for the season?

 

After all, there are myriad reasons why the timing is truly awful. It creates unnecessary chaos and complexity. It threatens the perceived job security of coaches and executives. It threatens to dispirit players, some of whom have already openly questioned the organization. It’s too late to ask teams for permission to interview their executives, drying up the talent pool, and practically forcing the Twins' hand in elevating Jeremy Zoll. It adds responsibility to his purview, and by extension, likely his assistant GMs as well, without ample time to ramp up. All of these things conspire to make Pohlad’s stated goal of competing this season an even tougher needle to thread. In short, Friday’s announcement just doesn’t make sense; at least not now.

So, surely, the situation the Twins find themselves in must be pretty rare. Turns out, it is, indeed. After some digging, there are only two other examples of executives departing on the eve of spring training, and both happened in situations not dissimilar to that of the 2026 Twins.

The Firee: Dan Duquette, Boston Red Sox, 2002
The Red Sox fired Dan Duquette on March 1, 2002, smack dab in the middle of spring training. In terms of tenure, success rate, and fan perception, there are some real similarities to Falvey’s time with the Twins, as well as some potential hints for the future.

Prior to being fired, Duquette had an eight-year run as the Red Sox GM. He made the playoffs just three times, and in those appearances won only two total games. He angered fans when he let the popular (and talented) father of Kody Clemens leave in free agency, and fans weren’t enamored with his communication style with the media either.

Heading into the 2001 season, Duquette went big on the free agent market, signing Manny Ramirez to a massive-at-the-time eight-year, $160 million deal. With Pedro Martinez on the books, as well as a number of other contracts that were well above average, the Red Sox had the second-highest payroll in baseball behind only the Yankees. The payroll didn’t correspond to success that season, as the team dealt with injuries and underperformance, and finished just over .500. Duquette fired his Manager, Jimy Williams, mid-season after a high-profile disagreement with a player.

Oh. By the way. Duquette was fired by the John Henry’s group not 24 hours after they became the new owners of the Red Sox. They replaced him by promoting Mike Port, Duquette’s VP of Baseball Operations. He lasted just one season before ownership ultimately hired Theo Epstein to take the reins of the core of talented draftees and veterans in their prime that Duquette had assembled. Three years after Duquette’s firing, the Red Sox began their dynasty.

Could Falvey's departure be a simple case of "not my guy?" Or something closer to a scapegoat? Pohlad said on Friday "the vision is probably a little bit different than what it was before. The landscape is different, and that it's best for both of us, if we if we make a change, and best for the Minnesota Twins." Make of that what you will.

The Quitter: Bob Watson, New York Yankees, 1998
Bob Watson was a former player, turned coach, turned general manager. His brief stint in the role lasted just two seasons, and they shone. In 1996, he and rookie manager Joe Torre took the Yankees to the World Series where they defeated the Atlanta Braves. The following season, they made the playoffs again, but didn’t advance past the ALDS. On February 3, 1998, Watson resigned and he was replaced by Brian Cashman.

Ok. So. Neither tenure nor results match up with Falvey’s, but you know what just might? Watson’s reason for quitting. In short, he was frequently at loggerheads with owner George Steinbrenner. “The Boss” had a habit of micromanaging his GMs, to the point of pushing for specific trades and negotiating around them with other GMs and owners. In fact, he was responsible for acquiring Chuck Knoblach from the Twins.

In 1997, Steinbrenner repeatedly attempted to get Watson to move Jorge Posada and a number of prospects for Rickey Henderson, and publicly lambasted his GM for not making specific moves that Steinbrenner wanted to see happen, and for trading for players he himself wouldn’t. It got to the point that Watson would tell rival GMs he was out on a deal “'unless I get orders from south of New York.’ ", referencing Steinbrenner’s Florida home.

Eventually, Watson had enough. After he resigned, a Yankees official told the New York Times: “I don't know if he wants to be a general manager anymore. Maybe he doesn't need the pressure. I don't know that he wants another general manager's job. I don't know if he wants to stay in baseball. I imagine he's disgusted with Steinbrenner.”

If we are looking for parallels, it’s easy to find them. After all, like George Steinbrenner, Tom Pohlad seems to believe he understands just how to run a baseball team. Unlike Steinbrenner, however, Pohlad is new to the game, and his diametrically opposed dictates reflect that. To wit: “no half measures” and “we will be competitive in 2026”, are in conflict with "yes, our payroll is down from last year” and the whole, you know, not really having a bullpen you trust with a one-run lead in a playoff push.

Really, when you look at it, Falvey’s departure combines themes from both of these case studies.

On one side of the equation, you have new ownership, likely disappointed with middling results, a disengaged fanbase, and questionable baseball decisions by the GM (albeit with the former owner's blessing and, in part, because of unexpected financial constraints placed on him).

On the other side, you have the owner, perhaps out of hubris, assuming he knows the way to right the ship despite little to indicate such, who, in his confidence, creates an unwinnable and frustrating work environment for the GM.

That’s the sort of conflict that leads to a parting of ways, even if the initiating party remains opaque. As it stands, this development probably doesn’t help the Twins’ chances in 2026, but it sure does continue the palace intrigue that began with Joe Pohlad's ouster. One thing that's certain is that there's no shortage of confidence among the Pohlad family.

 

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[mikelink45]

Both the Twins and Vikings engaged in - "

Releasing bad news or documents on a Friday afternoon in an attempt to avoid media scrutiny is often called a “Friday news dump” by members of the media.

This timing is often chosen strategically, aiming to minimize media coverage, public attention, and potential scrutiny that may arise from the news being released."

 

[twinssporto]

I honestly believe Falvey had had enough. He also needs to look after his career and reputation. He knows 2026 is going to be a ridiculous challenge. Why stick around when your ownership doesn't support what you know you will need to succeed?

Tom Pohlad and the new minority owners need to bring in their own management team. Whether in the right or wrong direction, ownership and management need to align their goals. As Gleeman's article stated, Falvey and Pohlad didn't share the same vision to move this team forward.  

I read Gleeman's take in The Athletic yesterday and agree that another GM spot is in Falvey's future, probably next year. 

[Old Twins Hat]

Well, been reading a lot of criticism about Tom Pohlad because he claimed to not be "into" half-measures and all he's seemingly done over the last month is tinker around the roster edges.

Now he moves on from Falvey, which a hell of a lot of posters on this site have been screaming for for years, and suddenly it's just another Pohlad screw-up?

C'mon people.  You didn't want half-measures, but when you get a full sea-change in the organization it's just more of the same Pohlad incompetence?

Can't have it both ways.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

36 minutes ago, Old Twins Hat said:

Well, been reading a lot of criticism about Tom Pohlad because he claimed to not be "into" half-measures and all he's seemingly done over the last month is tinker around the roster edges.

Now he moves on from Falvey, which a hell of a lot of posters on this site have been screaming for for years, and suddenly it's just another Pohlad screw-up?

C'mon people.  You didn't want half-measures, but when you get a full sea-change in the organization it's just more of the same Pohlad incompetence?

Can't have it both ways.

If it’s a “mutual parting of ways” it’s absolutely a half measure. The guy that’s supposed to go big or go home can’t let a guy he doesn’t trust quit on his own 2 weeks before pitchers and catchers report. If he was to be fired, it should have been weeks or months ago.

to that end Tom was the CEO of Pohlad company. It took until December 17 for him to fire his brother. A decisive leader would have fired him and Falvey in early November or during the season.

[bean5302]

2 hours ago, twinssporto said:

I honestly believe Falvey had had enough. He also needs to look after his career and reputation. He knows 2026 is going to be a ridiculous challenge. Why stick around when your ownership doesn't support what you know you will need to succeed?

Tom Pohlad and the new minority owners need to bring in their own management team. Whether in the right or wrong direction, ownership and management need to align their goals. As Gleeman's article stated, Falvey and Pohlad didn't share the same vision to move this team forward.  

I read Gleeman's take in The Athletic yesterday and agree that another GM spot is in Falvey's future, probably next year. 

Falvey got fired for incompetence. I do wonder how people are thinking this was Falvey's decision to leave, LOL.

I don't know what you're seeing, but it seems to me Falvey is making the same kinds of moves he's been making throughout his entire career as the head of the Twins front office. 

[bean5302]

1 hour ago, Richie the Rally Goat said:

If it’s a “mutual parting of ways” it’s absolutely a half measure. The guy that’s supposed to go big or go home can’t let a guy he doesn’t trust quit on his own 2 weeks before pitchers and catchers report. If he was to be fired, it should have been weeks or months ago.

to that end Tom was the CEO of Pohlad company. It took until December 17 for him to fire his brother. A decisive leader would have fired him and Falvey in early November or during the season.

A totally new ownership group probably would have fired Falvey immediately, but they would have already been in negotiations with new prospective GMs. 

Tom took over in December and less than 2mo later he had seen enough. It was a fair probationary period where Falvey needed to show he could follow the change in direction. Instead, Falvey ran things the same as he always had.

[DJL44]

I think the disagreement was more on the business side than it was on the baseball side. If Mr. Pohlad was upset about how the baseball side was run he would also fire Zoll. Instead, Zoll got a promotion.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

6 minutes ago, bean5302 said:

A totally new ownership group probably would have fired Falvey immediately, but they would have already been in negotiations with new prospective GMs. 

Tom took over in December and less than 2mo later he had seen enough. It was a fair probationary period where Falvey needed to show he could follow the change in direction. Instead, Falvey ran things the same as he always had.

So the CEO of the parent company had no idea how his largest asset was ran but stepped down to run it himself with zero idea of what needed to happen?

[sweetmusicviola16]

2 hours ago, Old Twins Hat said:

Well, been reading a lot of criticism about Tom Pohlad because he claimed to not be "into" half-measures and all he's seemingly done over the last month is tinker around the roster edges.

Now he moves on from Falvey, which a hell of a lot of posters on this site have been screaming for for years, and suddenly it's just another Pohlad screw-up?

C'mon people.  You didn't want half-measures, but when you get a full sea-change in the organization it's just more of the same Pohlad incompetence?

Can't have it both ways.

Actually in this case it can be both ways. It was time to move on from Falvey, should have been October though. And thinking that you can compete with this team and the moves it has made this off season is half measures and incompetence. But parting ways in late January is stupidity and clear signs of dysfunction. At this point it would have been much smarter to take the hit and change GM in September. But almost everything going on with this organization these days is pure dysfunction at the greatest levels. 

[Blyleven2011]

Living on hope and prayer with falvey is no more , now we are living in reality,  can the ownership right the sinking ship and hire the competent personal to construct a winning team in the future on a lower budget  ...

Milwaukee  , Tampa  , Cleveland have all done well with less payroll than the Twins and the ownership has probably questioned falvey as to why he didn't or couldn't adjust his spending on better players ( spending 11 million on gallo still amazes me  ) , nine years it took to find a acorn by a blind squirrel  , Bader,  France and Colombe , Bader was fun to watch play defense , France for 1 million was a steal , Coloumbe performed well out of the bullpen  ...

Last year's fun players to watch were Buxton ,  Bader ,  Keaschall and maybe Martin , we need better players to make twins baseball fun to watch again ...

[USAFChief]

16 minutes ago, Richie the Rally Goat said:

So the CEO of the parent company had no idea how his largest asset was ran but stepped down to run it himself with zero idea of what needed to happen?

Was Tom CEO of all Pohlad companies?

I thought he was CEO of PAR, and a member of the Board as far as all things Pohlad companies.

 

In any case,  I'd say you're exaggerating with "had no idea" and "zero idea of what needed to happen."

I'd say it's more likely he and the board were unhappy with the situation and canned Joe. Tom them took a month and a half to assess, and decided Falvey wasn't getting things done.

Which is objectively true, BTW. The Twins are a mess, by any measure, and if the POBO doesnt have ultimate responsibility for that, I dont know who does.

Ownership certainly hasn't helped, but I doubt they're the ones drafting and developing, trading specific assets, or making the decisions on which free agents to spend on.

 

[Pat]

All of this certainly does not bode well for the immediate future of the team/franchise.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

18 minutes ago, USAFChief said:

Was Tom CEO of all Pohlad companies?

I thought he was CEO of PAR, and a member of the Board as far as all things Pohlad companies.

 

In any case,  I'd say you're exaggerating with "had no idea" and "zero idea of what needed to happen."

I'd say it's more likely he and the board were unhappy with the situation and canned Joe. Tom them took a month and a half to assess, and decided Falvey wasn't getting things done.

Which is objectively true, BTW. The Twins are a mess, by any measure, and if the POBO doesnt have ultimate responsibility for that, I dont know who does.

Ownership certainly hasn't helped, but I doubt they're the ones drafting and developing, trading specific assets, or making the decisions on which free agents to spend on.

 

at least according to SI, Tom was chairman of Pohlad Companies. SI is not what it used to be, now a lot of AI garbage, but this is what I based that on.
https://www.si.com/mlb/twins/onsi/minnesota-twins-news/we-have-lost-trust-tom-pohlad-on-replacing-brother-joe-atop-the-twins

clearly the chairman shouldn’t be in the weeds on The Twins, but should have a pretty good idea of the Twins executives and was a part of the sale process for the Twins that ultimately ended in retaining them and bringing on another investors. That process should have illuminated far more than 6 weeks of sitting at 1 Twins Way.

[bunsen82]

2 hours ago, Richie the Rally Goat said:

If it’s a “mutual parting of ways” it’s absolutely a half measure. The guy that’s supposed to go big or go home can’t let a guy he doesn’t trust quit on his own 2 weeks before pitchers and catchers report. If he was to be fired, it should have been weeks or months ago.

to that end Tom was the CEO of Pohlad company. It took until December 17 for him to fire his brother. A decisive leader would have fired him and Falvey in early November or during the season.

He gave Falvey an impossible task - be competitive with minimal resources.   Tom's focus isn't on the longterm value of the Twins.  Say what you will that was Falvey's focus.  Tom is focused on maximizing the sale price of the team and he doesn't care about 2028 moving forward.   

[stringer bell]

Well, I think it is tough to have a team succeed with reduced payroll. Falvey was instructed to win while reducing payroll substantially. To succeed, Falvey needed to be almost error free with signings and promotions and he wasn’t.

The in-house players that were counted on haven’t performed nearly well enough and still are the only way the team will compete. Besides that, the roster is a mess with too many corner OFs and starting pitchers and not nearly enough quality in the infield and bullpen. Maybe he had plans to address the soft spots, but now that will fall on Zoll with little time to accomplish the transactions. 

[bean5302]

1 hour ago, Richie the Rally Goat said:

So the CEO of the parent company had no idea how his largest asset was ran but stepped down to run it himself with zero idea of what needed to happen?

I feel like we might be on really different conversations?

From my perspective, Tom took over the Twins from not only a spokeman point of view, but as a controller. I'm sure he was well aware of how the Twins had been previously run, and it seems more than reasonable to conclude Tom had been vocal about how he felt the franchise should be run.

Tom wasn't listed as a front office employee or stakeholder in the Twins. He took over the role, and I've never seen a CEO-type executive come into an organization (other than wack job Elon Musk) and immediately make sweeping changes without first coming to up to speed on operations and strategy in a much more detailed level. It's not reasonable to think Tom was deeply familiar with the operations and baseball side when he was a CEO of a different company. The Twins are very much a flagship company for the Pohlad family. 

Now, in regard to what needed to happen, I think it's only fair to get a feel for the leadership and strategy of a team in a more detailed fashion, then set the goals and direction of the company, and then ask leadership for their strategy to accomplish those goals. The Twins were clearly committed to Falvey until Tom stepped in, and order to obtain buy in from the real owners, you need a little time before you fire their best buddies in the organization. Less than two months is a very fast decision making time frame. In fact, based on reports, Tom had already moved on from Falvey within a single month because they discussed exit strategies for 2 weeks.

I think it's more than clear Tom didn't believe Falvey was the guy for the job, but was tasked with proving it to Jim, Bill and Bob. Falvey failed to meet the goals laid out with the change in direction Tom asked for, apparently. It took Tom 1 month to get buy in and get the fiscal owners to eat the remainder of Falvey's contract to get him out of his position. That's fast.

[old nurse]

1 hour ago, Richie the Rally Goat said:

at least according to SI, Tom was chairman of Pohlad Companies. SI is not what it used to be, now a lot of AI garbage, but this is what I based that on.
https://www.si.com/mlb/twins/onsi/minnesota-twins-news/we-have-lost-trust-tom-pohlad-on-replacing-brother-joe-atop-the-twins

clearly the chairman shouldn’t be in the weeds on The Twins, but should have a pretty good idea of the Twins executives and was a part of the sale process for the Twins that ultimately ended in retaining them and bringing on another investors. That process should have illuminated far more than 6 weeks of sitting at 1 Twins Way.

Did it occur to you to look at the Pohlad website?

[old nurse]

People keep going to the on field affairs. At this point with no major money to be spent it was going to be on Zoll the GM to figure out.  On the business and staffing side ,which Falvey also had control over, is where the likely problem lies. Payroll in the 120 million range, revenue was over 300 million and they were losing money. Unless you are a moron with a chainsaw it does take a little time to learn the details. The timing of that leadership change was not going to t effect the on field performance 

[sweetmusicviola16]

2 hours ago, Blyleven2011 said:

Living on hope and prayer with falvey is no more , now we are living in reality,  can the ownership right the sinking ship and hire the competent personal to construct a winning team in the future on a lower budget  ...

Milwaukee  , Tampa  , Cleveland have all done well with less payroll than the Twins and the ownership has probably questioned falvey as to why he didn't or couldn't adjust his spending on better players ( spending 11 million on gallo still amazes me  ) , nine years it took to find a acorn by a blind squirrel  , Bader,  France and Colombe , Bader was fun to watch play defense , France for 1 million was a steal , Coloumbe performed well out of the bullpen  ...

Last year's fun players to watch were Buxton ,  Bader ,  Keaschall and maybe Martin , we need better players to make twins baseball fun to watch again ...

Hey bro, no, these are the Pohlads. They have zero ability to right this ship. These are the guys that got a beautiful brand new field in 2010 and stunk up the place for years with their abilities. Now this park is 16 years old and people want to see a "good" winning ballclub instead of just the field. Falvey needed to go. But the tap root of the problem remains firmly in place. The Pohlads. 

[JADBP]

First, we need to give Tom P some time.  He deserves a chance.  He’s not Carl, not Joe, not any other Pohlad.  He really does seem to be his own man. Let’s give him a little time.  
 

But yeah, he took his time to assess Falvey.  That’s the fair thing to do for Falvey. And when he was able to see that Falvey made far more failed decisions than successful ones, he made his move.  I like his approach: “F the calendar” because there really is no perfect time to fire the leader of your organization.  It had to be done.  Might as well as pull off the Bandaid and get it over with.  The sooner you can move on, the sooner you can start to make the necessary strategic and organizational corrections.   
 

So far, good work, Tom. 
 

and I am not so sure Falvey will pop up as a GM elsewhere….

[sweetmusicviola16]

This is the culture of the Po 'or' lads. It will continue in the same ways until they are gone. 

[twinssporto]

4 hours ago, bean5302 said:

Falvey got fired for incompetence. I do wonder how people are thinking this was Falvey's decision to leave, LOL.

I don't know what you're seeing, but it seems to me Falvey is making the same kinds of moves he's been making throughout his entire career as the head of the Twins front office. 

Honestly, all I see at this point is incompetence from top to bottom. Nothing I said implied Falvey was some genius or that I even liked the guy — I never did. Gleeman’s piece made it clear that Tom and Falvey had “numerous discussions” and “different strategies,” but what those strategies were, we’ll probably never know because transparency clearly isn’t a priority for this organization.

And truthfully, I’m past caring about who’s in charge or how this team is run. I’ve been more than a casual fan for 45+ years. I held season tickets for years. And no — Tom didn’t call me, which is a shame, because I had a few things he needed to hear.

I’ll come back when this operation is run by adults. Until then, enjoy the mess!

 

[LastOnePicked]

7 hours ago, Old Twins Hat said:

Now he moves on from Falvey, which a hell of a lot of posters on this site have been screaming for for years, and suddenly it's just another Pohlad screw-up?

Can't speak for everyone, but here's the concern: Pohlad should have been calling for Falvey's job because Falvey's claim of "we'll compete in 2026" was looking more and more ridiculous. It was time to rebuild. Instead, Pohlad seems to think this pitiful team should see itself in "win-now" mode. Which is even more insane.

In short, glad that ownership made a FO change, yes, but frustrated that they're taking even a longer detour into delusional thinking.

[Old Twins Hat]

11 hours ago, Richie the Rally Goat said:

If it’s a “mutual parting of ways” it’s absolutely a half measure. The guy that’s supposed to go big or go home can’t let a guy he doesn’t trust quit on his own 2 weeks before pitchers and catchers report. If he was to be fired, it should have been weeks or months ago.

to that end Tom was the CEO of Pohlad company. It took until December 17 for him to fire his brother. A decisive leader would have fired him and Falvey in early November or during the season.

No, it's not about mutuality.  What changed in the last couple months?  Twins got a new leader, and it wasn't Falvey. 

Fair enough, give them a month or two to see how their visons align.  In the end, Pohlad is the decider. 

My point stands:  You can't criticize Pohlad and Falvey and now continue to criticize Pohlad for taking half-measures.  Pohlad wants to compete now, and Falvey is gone.

Get on the wagon boys, or get off it.

 

[rv78]

8 hours ago, bunsen82 said:

He gave Falvey an impossible task - be competitive with minimal resources.   Tom's focus isn't on the longterm value of the Twins.  Say what you will that was Falvey's focus.  Tom is focused on maximizing the sale price of the team and he doesn't care about 2028 moving forward.   

Not impossible. The Brewers, Indians, Rays do it almost every year.

[bunsen82]

10 hours ago, rv78 said:

Not impossible. The Brewers, Indians, Rays do it almost every year.

To be fair it is being said,  Tom has said he is unwilling to trade Ryan . . .  hence what the Rays, Brewers and Indians do.  Follow the dots,  he will plummet the value of 2 superior assets for longterm viability of the organization to try to put more buts in the seat for a year or two.   

What experience or knowledge of Tom, Shelton and Jeremy Zoll tells you they are going to 1. Be able to win this year (still haven't addressed the bullpen and there are no high leverage arms left - except for Kopech who comes with his own risk) 2. Be able to steer this organization to future success.  If they do it,  it will be on the back of the players Falvey has brought into the organization. 

The true impossible task was to change Toms opinion of Falvey.  It was clear Tom wanted him gone,  and there was virtually nothing other than going very deep in the playoffs that would have forced Toms hand to keep him.  No one wants to work in that environment.  

 

[bunsen82]

18 hours ago, bean5302 said:

 

I think it's more than clear Tom didn't believe Falvey was the guy for the job, but was tasked with proving it to Jim, Bill and Bob. Falvey failed to meet the goals laid out with the change in direction Tom asked for, apparently. It took Tom 1 month to get buy in and get the fiscal owners to eat the remainder of Falvey's contract to get him out of his position. That's fast.

So Tom comes in wanting to prove Falvey isn't right for the job - and likely making his life difficult and goals unachievable, to ultimately fire him.   I think you are missing the story,  Tom made it clear to Falvey he wasn't going to last in the position,  but Falvey is the one who pulled the ripcord and Tom gladly accepted because he didn't have to do the dirty work.   When you come in with the goal of firing someone,  the other individual has 2 choices,  quit or wait to be fired.  

FYI that is terrible management practices.  Set achievable goals and expectations,  if they can't achieve then fine.  However now,  all the onus is on Tom.  Is Tom going to fire himself if the Twins don't win.  Not likely so why isn't he holding himself to the same standard.  

[bean5302]

1 hour ago, bunsen82 said:

So Tom comes in wanting to prove Falvey isn't right for the job - and likely making his life difficult and goals unachievable, to ultimately fire him.   I think you are missing the story,  Tom made it clear to Falvey he wasn't going to last in the position,  but Falvey is the one who pulled the ripcord and Tom gladly accepted because he didn't have to do the dirty work.   When you come in with the goal of firing someone,  the other individual has 2 choices,  quit or wait to be fired.  

FYI that is terrible management practices.  Set achievable goals and expectations,  if they can't achieve then fine.  However now,  all the onus is on Tom.  Is Tom going to fire himself if the Twins don't win.  Not likely so why isn't he holding himself to the same standard.  

Based on 4 of 5 years in a row of not making the playoffs Tom Pohlad had a pretty good reason to believe Falvey wasn't the guy. Beyond that, Falvey's teams only 1 full season when any of his teams deserved a playoff appearance in 9 years (2019). It's not like Falvey should have still been here, anyway. It's mind boggling Falvey still had a job, actually.

Making his life difficult? Why? For what possible reason would it have been in Tom's best interest to pick a fight with the head of the front office who has a good relationship with Tom's bosses and other board members?

Falvey had the largest budget of any team in the AL Central and missed the playoffs 4 of 5 seasons while his teams one a single Wild Card playoff series in 9 years. He'd drafted and developed 0 players to represent the Twins in 9 years. The 1 multiple time All Star he drafted, he traded as an after thought to keep Kyle Garlick on the roster. Falvey was a bad GM. It's open to debate whether or not he was terrible at his job, but it's not open on whether or not he was bad.

Falvey got fired for incompetence, plain and simple. He did not "resign," he got fired. He did not read the writing on the wall and choose to step away. He got canned. You think Falvey walked from a guaranteed, multi-million dollar payday without an exit plan or new role lined up because his boss was being mean?

Pohlad set the bar. Here's our strategy. Falvey failed to adapt and ran things business as usual. You know what you have to do when the owner says "here's our strategy"? You follow it. Falvey couldn't do it. Whether it was ego or lack of ability, Falvey didn't operate within the lines of the new strategy and he got fired for it. Falvey could have adapted and stuck around, instead he challenged the boss and lost.

[bunsen82]

19 minutes ago, bean5302 said:

Based on 4 of 5 years in a row of not making the playoffs Tom Pohlad had a pretty good reason to believe Falvey wasn't the guy. Beyond that, Falvey's teams only 1 full season when any of his teams deserved a playoff appearance in 9 years (2019). It's not like Falvey should have still been here, anyway. It's mind boggling Falvey still had a job, actually.

Making his life difficult? Why? For what possible reason would it have been in Tom's best interest to pick a fight with the head of the front office who has a good relationship with Tom's bosses and other board members?

Falvey had the largest budget of any team in the AL Central and missed the playoffs 4 of 5 seasons while his teams one a single Wild Card playoff series in 9 years. He'd drafted and developed 0 players to represent the Twins in 9 years. The 1 multiple time All Star he drafted, he traded as an after thought to keep Kyle Garlick on the roster. Falvey was a bad GM. It's open to debate whether or not he was terrible at his job, but it's not open on whether or not he was bad.

Falvey got fired for incompetence, plain and simple. He did not "resign," he got fired. He did not read the writing on the wall and choose to step away. He got canned. You think Falvey walked from a guaranteed, multi-million dollar payday without an exit plan or new role lined up because his boss was being mean?

Pohlad set the bar. Here's our strategy. Falvey failed to adapt and ran things business as usual. You know what you have to do when the owner says "here's our strategy"? You follow it. Falvey couldn't do it. Whether it was ego or lack of ability, Falvey didn't operate within the lines of the new strategy and he got fired for it. Falvey could have adapted and stuck around, instead he challenged the boss and lost.

Then he should have been let go in November.  He wasn't.  

It appears Tom is a micromanager.   Quote - Joe had trust in Falvey would let him operate,  now with a new manager,  new scrutiny is necessary but it goes beyond that. Tom came in to pick a fight as you said to show the rest of the family he wasn't fit.   You can talk of the faults,  while ignoring his .520 winning percentage.  

If Tom says its the family's fault for pulling back on salaries and not investing that caused the underperformance,  I think you have to acknowledge the family/ownerships effect on the last 2 years.  If you want to parrot the family's case be my guest.  Its not say Falvey couldn't have done better,  but have the Pohlads been a positive impact on the Twins winning,  I think everyone will admit readily admit they have not.  

Falvey didn't get fired.   Period.   Was he on thin ice yes.  He said I am done I am not playing the game that Tom had set up.  I don't think you understand the term mutual decision. That is not a firing.     Falvey was willing to step away because most of the stink is not on him.  He can easily get another job.   Individuals like you and a couple others have disliked Falvey for years.  Fair enough.  Lets not create things,  or ignore the reporting that has occurred.   If Tom has set the Bar - you think Falvey failed to adapt or took his ball elsewhere - will Tom hold himself to the same bar he just set.   

Here's a bet then Bean,  will Twins have a winning record.  Since you are team Tom you seem to think they can win?    I will gladly take the bet they are under .500.   See this is the whole game,  Tom says they have to win yet no rational person,  no betting site, no baseball individual says this is a rational goal.   But you seem to be arguing that it is.  So if thats the bar a .500 season are you willing to take the bet.   @USAFChief  you can get on the bet as well if you wish.