Derek Shelton Reportedly Hired as Twins Manager After Rocco Baldelli Firing

The Minnesota Twins have reportedly landed on Derek Shelton to be their next manager as the organization undergoes a full-scale rebuilding effort in 2026, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post.

Shelton spent six years as the manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates between the 2020-25 seasons, going 306-440. He was fired in May of this past season after the Pirates started 12-26.

He served as Minnesota's bench coach between the 2018-19 seasons.

The Twins have been in a bit of disarray recently, culminating in their fire sale at the trade deadline in July and a limp to the finish line. They moved 10 players from the MLB roster, saving $26 million over the final two months of the season.

As that was going on, the Pohlad family, who have owned the Twins since 1984, were exploring a sale of the franchise. They had a change of heart, announcing on Aug. 13 they were going to retain majority ownership, while adding "two significant limited partnership groups" to help provide an infusion of cash.

Rocco Baldelli, who had been with the team since 2019, was fired as manager after a 70-92 record. He went 527-505 overall with three AL Central titles in seven seasons.

Despite the uncertainty with payroll given the massive debt facing the franchise and Pohlad family, the on-field situation for the Twins isn't that bad from a long-term perspective.

All of those moves prior to the trade deadline helped the Twins move up to No. 2 in MLB.com's farm system rankings, with five players among the top 100 prospects overall.