Twins Make Big Decision On Former Red Sox Slugger, New England Native

Meet the new boss, same as the old boss. Twins manager Rocco Baldelli is off the hot seat, according to The Athletic’s Dan Hayes, who reports Minnesota picked up its team option on the skipper for the 2026 season.

Rumors had been swirling in Minneapolis with the Twins losing 14 of their last 17 games, including an 11-2 drubbing Monday at Target Field by the Seattle Mariners.

The Twins (37-41) sit in fourth place in the American League Central, 11 1/2 games behind the first-place Detroit Tigers. Minnesota is six games back in the AL Wild Card standings.

Despite the June swoon, Twins president of baseball operations Derek Falvey believes in Baldelli and his coaching staff.

“My focus has been on how do I support him with that, because I do believe he’s got the players’ best interests at heart, and he’s trying to figure out how to solve a challenging equation that we’re all trying to navigate through,” Falvey said, per Hayes. “He’s not alone in that. We’re all side by side with him, as is the staff and as our core players. We’re trying to figure it out together.”

Baldelli, in his seventh season as Twins manager, is trying to keep an even keel.

“You’ve got to continue to prepare and you’ve got to wear it sometimes when it isn’t going the way you want,” Baldelli said, according to Hayes. “But there is always a game tomorrow to focus on and think about. Probably a few nights where I’m not sleeping quite the way I want, but I get to play with my kids. I can’t think about baseball when I’m home playing with my kids.

“That’s probably the easiest way for me to get over whatever goes on at the field,” Baldelli continued. “I look forward to getting on a hot streak and living the life at that point because that’s what it feels like. It feels unbelievable when you’re walking around with your chest out, but you still have to walk around with your chest out and head up even when things aren’t going good.”

https://open.spotify.com/show/41J2lMBlL2znUEwwHmBm36

Baldelli, born in Woonsocket, R.I., has led the Twins to the AL Central title three times, most recently in 2023.

The 43-year-old began his MLB journey in 2000 as a first-round pick of the Tampa Bay Rays. Baldelli finished third in voting for American League Rookie of the Year in 2003.

He played his entire seven-year career in Tampa, aside from the 2009 season, when Baldelli played in 62 games with his hometown Red Sox, hitting seven home runs with 23 RBI.