Yankees Hitting Coach James Rowson Reportedly Interests Twins for Manager Job

The New York Yankees have granted the Minnesota Twins permission to speak with hitting coach James Rowson about their open managerial job, per the New York Post's Jon Heyman and Joel Sherman on Tuesday.

Rowson was the Twins' hitting coach from 2017 to 2019. The 2019 Twins notably set the record for the most home runs in a season with 307. The 2023 Atlanta Braves later tied that mark.

Rowson became the Miami Marlins' bench coach from 2020 to 2022 before getting a job as the Detroit Tigers' assistant hitting coach in 2023. The Yankees hired him as their hitting coach in 2024.

Despite losing Juan Soto last offseason, the Yankees' offense as a whole fared quite well in the 2025 regular season, leading MLB with 849 runs and a .787 OPS.

It makes sense for Rowson to get a look at manager and especially in Minnesota. Heyman and Sherman explained more on that front.

"The upbeat, well-regarded 49-year-old remains a popular figure in Minnesota, as he spent plenty of time catching up with members of his former organization when the Yankees visited Target Field in September," the New York Post wrote.

The Twins are in the market for a new manager after parting ways with Rocco Baldelli after seven seasons. Baldelli led Minnesota to three AL Central titles and finished with a winning record (524-502).

The team struggled in 2025, though, going 70-92 and landing fourth in the AL Central.

The first known name connected to the Twins' managerial opening is Red Sox bench coach Ramón Vázquez, per Heyman.

Vázquez played in the major leagues as a utility infielder from 2001 to 2009. He's been a coach in the major leagues since 2017, first as a member of the San Diego Padres for a year before joining the Red Sox in 2018. He's been the bench coach since Nov. 2022.