The Minnesota Twins fired manager Rocco Baldelli on Monday, Sept. 29 after a 70-92 season during which the team had a major selloff.
Baldelli just completed his seventh season with the team and had the third sub-.500 record in his tenure.
His career-worst mark was aided by a fire sale before the July 31 MLB trade deadline. The Twins moved out Carlos Correa,Jhoan Duran, Harrison Bader, Willi Castro and others, shedding 10 players from their 26-man roster. They went 19-34 down the stretch.
‘This is a difficult day because of what Rocco represents to so many people here. He led with honesty, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to our players and staff,’ Twins president of baseball and business operations Derek Falvey said in a statement. ‘He gave himself fully to this role and I have tremendous respect and gratitude for the way he carried himself and the way he showed up every single day.
‘This game is ultimately measured by results, and over the past two seasons we did not reach the goals we set. I take personal responsibility for that. After discussions with ownership, we determined that this is the right moment for a change in voice and direction. This decision is not a reflection of Rocco’s effort or leadership. It reflects where we are as an organization and the belief that a different voice is needed to help us move forward.’
Baldelli joined the Twins for the 2019 season and had 101 wins that year, winning AL Manager of the Year. His teams also finished first in the AL Central in 2020 and 2023 but missed the playoffs four of the past five seasons.
His 527-505 record ranks him third in team history in all-time wins.
Baldelli was the second MLB manager to lose his job Monday, following the San Francisco Giants’ Bob Melvin.