Minnesota Twins Appoint Derek Shelton as New Manager Amid Rebuilding Phase

Twins Transition to New Leadership

The Minnesota Twins have officially appointed Derek Shelton as their new manager as the organization embarks on a major rebuilding effort for the upcoming 2026 season. This decision comes amidst significant changes within the franchise following a tumultuous period both on and off the field.

About Derek Shelton

Derek Shelton previously managed the Pittsburgh Pirates from 2020 to 2025, where he accumulated a record of 306 wins and 440 losses before being dismissed in May of the last season following a challenging start of 12-26. Notably, Shelton also served as the bench coach for the Twins during the 2018 and 2019 seasons, emphasizing his familiarity with the organization.

Current State of the Twins

The Twins experienced a significant re-evaluation of their roster, culminating in a fire sale at the trade deadline in July. The team parted ways with 10 players, which allowed them to save $26 million in payroll over the final two months of the season. This decision reflects the franchise's dedication to restructuring, particularly after the Pohlad family, who have owned the team since 1984, initially considered selling the franchise but ultimately decided to retain majority ownership while bringing in two significant limited partnership groups to boost finances.

Looking Ahead

The team also parted ways with former manager Rocco Baldelli, who had been with the organization since 2019 and recorded a 70-92 season in his final year. Over seven seasons, Baldelli recorded a total of 527 wins and 505 losses, including three AL Central titles. Despite the economic challenges ahead, including a large debt, there is optimism for the Twins' future as the franchise’s strategic moves have positioned them at No. 2 in MLB.com's farm system rankings, boasting five players in the top 100 overall prospects.