BREAKING: The Minnesota Twins have fired manager Rocco Baldelli following a disappointing 70-92 season, marking the end of his seven-year tenure. This decision comes after a significant roster purge and a second consecutive year of failure to meet playoff expectations.
Twins president Derek Falvey expressed his regret, stating, “This is a difficult day because of what Rocco represents to so many people here.” He acknowledged Baldelli’s leadership qualities, including “honesty, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to our players and staff.”
The Twins entered the 2023 season with high hopes but faltered dramatically, finishing fourth in the American League Central. After a poor performance in June, the team opted to sell off key players at the trade deadline, which included a staggering $26 million payroll cut. The Twins went just 23-43 after the All-Star break, leading to an untenable situation for Baldelli.
Notably, the Twins’ final record marks the worst since their 59-103 finish in 2016, when they also fired a manager mid-season. The team’s struggles intensified after trading away significant talent, including their five best relievers, which left the bullpen severely depleted.
Attendance at Target Field also suffered, with ticket sales plummeting to just over 1.7 million, the lowest in a non-pandemic season since 2000. Fan frustration has escalated, largely aimed at team ownership, which has faced backlash for cost-cutting actions following the 2023 playoff breakthrough.
During his time with the Twins, Baldelli led the team to three division titles and won the AL Manager of the Year award in 2019. His overall record stands at 527-505, making him the third-winningest manager in Twins history.
Looking forward, the Twins will need to regroup as they search for a new manager who can restore their competitiveness. With the Pohlad family still controlling the franchise despite recent attempts to sell, the organization faces a crucial off-season ahead.
As fans and analysts digest this news, the immediate focus will be on who the Twins will choose to lead them into the next season and how they plan to rebuild after this tumultuous year.
“Over the past seven years Rocco has been much more than our manager. He has been a trusted partner and teammate,” Falvey added in a reflective statement.
