The Minnesota Twins have fired Rocco Baldelli.
The team made the announcement on Monday, a day after the 44-year-old Baldelli finished his seventh season at the helm of the club.
The Twins finished the year at 67-89, fourth in the American League Central, and missed the playoffs for a second consecutive season.
“This game is ultimately measured by results, and over the past two seasons we did not reach the goals we set,” president Derek Falvey said in a statement. “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.”
After retiring as a player in 2011, Baldelli joined the Tampa Bay Rays front office and then joined Kevin Cash’s on-field staff in 2014. In 2017, he was promoted to major-league field coordinator, a role created for him. He would join the Twins in the fall of 2018.
Baldelli would go on to lead the Twins to back-to-back AL Central titles in 2019 and 2020, along with a third in 2023. After winning 101 games in 2019, Baldelli was named American League Manager of the Year. Playoff success eluded the Twins, however, with the team never progressing past the divisional series in their three postseason trips under Baldelli.
He finishes his tenure with a record of 527-505 (.511).
A a player, Baldelli appeared in 519 games for the Rays and Boston Red Sox.
