Twins Announce GM Thad Levine Will Not Return for 2025

Days after announcing several changes to their coaching staff, the Twins announced on Friday morning that the team's Senior Vice President and General Manager Thad Levine will not return. 

According to Levine (via press release), "The time is right for me to pursue my next enriching, professional challenge." I will forever cherish the friendships that I have made in the Minnesota Twins organization and throughout Twins Territory." 

Levine was hired as general manager in November of 2016 by Derek Falvey who had been hired about a month earlier. He had spent the previous 11 seasons as an Assistant GM with the Texas Rangers. Before that, he spent six years as senior director of Baseball Operations with the Colorado Rockies. He also spent a year in the Dodgers Business Development group. 

Prior to a life in baseball, he worked in marketing for companies such as Coca-Cola, the Rockport Company and Reebok. 

The press release notes that he will "pursue new challenges and opportunities, both inside and outside of baseball." 

Falvey noted, "Thad's impact on the Minnesota Twins cannot be overstated. He has been a true partner and leader, always striving to elevate the organization and care for people around him. That helped create a strong team culture, one focused on excellence and collaboration. We are equally excited to see the next chapter of his journey unfold, and we wish him nothing but success in his future endeavors." 

There was no announcement on who might become the next Twins General Manager. Certainly a search will take place, though there are several very strong candidates from within. 

Jeremy Zoll and Daniel Adler are both Assistant GMs at this time. Adler leads the Twins efforts regarding arbitration, international scouting and baseball R&D. Zoll works with Dr. Chris Camp, the team's physician, to oversee the organization's performance team and continues to work in developing initiatives in the minor leagues.

Kevin Goldstein has spent three years in the organization and is currently the VP of International Scouting and Special Advisor to Baseball Operations.  Often a GM can come through the scouting ranks. Maybe VP of Amateur Scouting, Sean Johnson, would be considered. Brad Steil has held a number of roles over his 25 years in the organization. He is currently the Twins Direction of Professional Player Procurement. 

There are likely several others within the organization who could fulfill the role, and Falvey may have some ideas from other organizations. 

Since Falvey and Levine (lovingly referred to as Falvine by many), the Twins have spent seemingly up to and even slightly beyond their payrolls. They are responsible for handing out nine-digit contracts to Carlos Correa and Byron Buxton. They also outbid teams for Josh Donaldson. They had a few good trades (Donaldson to the Yankees, and Arraez to the Marlins for Pablo Lopez). They had several bad trades, as every organization does. 

Levine was also part of the Twins ending their long playoff losing streak. So, as frustrating as the final six weeks of the 2024 season was for the Twins and their fans. 

On a different level, Levine was enjoyable to listen to in the rare times he spoke publicly. He has a tremendous sense of humor and the vocabulary to impress. 

So, what do you think, Twins fans? Is this a good transition move for the Twins? How do you see it playing out?