Twins Dismiss Manager Rocco Baldelli Following Disappointing 70-92 Season
Minnesota Twins Part Ways with Manager Rocco Baldelli
Rocco Baldelli’s Departure: A New Chapter for the Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins have announced the dismissal of manager Rocco Baldelli after a seven-year stint that saw the team clinching three American League Central titles. Despite these successes, Baldelli’s tenure ends following consecutive underwhelming seasons.
A Season of Unexpected Challenges
Entering the season with high expectations to compete for the American League Central title, the Twins stumbled mid-year, shifting strategies and becoming sellers at the trade deadline. In the process, they traded away 10 players and reduced their payroll by $26 million. The team’s performance dipped significantly after the All-Star break, culminating in a 23-43 record and ultimately placing fourth in the division with a 70-92 finish.
A Closer Look at the Twins’ Performance
- Post-trade deadline record: 19-35
- Final record: 70-92
- Finished with the fourth-worst record in Major League Baseball
- Worst season since 2016
Only the Colorado Rockies performed worse during the closing two months of the season. This marks the team’s most disappointing result since 2016, where they ended with a 59-103 record following the midseason dismissal of then-general manager Terry Ryan, succeeded by current team president Derek Falvey.
Baldelli’s Legacy with the Twins
At 44, Rocco Baldelli leaves behind a legacy that includes his accolade as the 2019 AL Manager of the Year, awarded during his rookie season. His leadership brought the Twins three division titles and notably ended the team’s historic 18-game postseason losing streak in 2023, securing their first playoff series win since 2002. Over seven seasons, Baldelli boasts a managerial record of 527-505, ranking him as the third-winningest manager in Twins history, following the esteemed Tom Kelly and Ron Gardenhire.
Emegypt recognizes the Associated Press for contributions to this report.
