Twins Narrow Managerial Search to Four Finalists Amid Rebuild

The Minnesota Twins have narrowed their managerial search to four finalists: former Seattle Mariners manager Scott Servais, ex-Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton, Yankees hitting coach James Rowson, and Chicago Cubs bench coach Ryan Flaherty. The Twins fired Rocco Baldelli after a disappointing 70-win season, and the organization appears to favor candidates familiar with the team, making Shelton and Rowson the frontrunners due to their previous coaching roles with Minnesota. Shelton managed the Pirates for over five seasons but struggled with a talent-limited roster, while Rowson was the Twins' hitting coach during their record-setting 2019 season and has since coached with Miami, Detroit, and the Yankees. Servais, who led the Mariners to a .514 winning percentage over nine seasons and one playoff appearance, was dismissed in 2024 and currently serves as a special assistant for the Padres. Flaherty, newer on the managerial scene, has served as the Cubs' bench coach since 2024 and has been linked to other MLB managerial openings. The Twins' search reflects a broader trend of managerial changes across baseball, with the organization reportedly leaning towards candidates with existing ties to the team.