The Minnesota Twins are closing in on a new manager. The race is now down to four names—a blend of established leaders and up-and-coming coaches.
After some tough seasons, the franchise wants a reset. According to Dan Hayes and Brittany Ghiroli of The Athletic, the Twins will pick from this group, so the next skipper almost certainly comes from these finalists.
The Final Four in Minnesota’s Managerial Race
The front office has zeroed in on four candidates: Derek Shelton, James Rowson, Ryan Flaherty, and Scott Servais. It’s a mix of proven MLB resumes and rising coaching talent, making for a tricky decision.
Veteran Leaders with MLB Dugout Experience
Shelton and Servais stand out for their experience running big-league clubs. Shelton led the Pittsburgh Pirates for over five seasons, winning about 41% of games before the team let him go earlier this year after a tough stretch.
He knows Minnesota well—he was the Twins’ bench coach and interviewed for this job back in 2018. That history might give him an edge, or maybe it’s just nostalgia.
Servais brings a long track record of steady leadership. He managed the Seattle Mariners for nearly nine years, notching five seasons with at least 86 wins.
But Seattle’s collapse in the second half of 2024 ended his run there. In 2025, he took a special assistant gig with the San Diego Padres, and now both Minnesota and Baltimore seem interested in his services.
Rising Coaching Talents in the Mix
Shelton and Servais offer the comfort of experience, but Rowson and Flaherty represent a new generation—creative, flexible, and respected for their work with players.
James Rowson’s Versatile Coaching Journey
Rowson is no stranger to the Twins. He coached here before moving on to other roles, including hitting coach gigs with the Miami Marlins, Detroit Tigers, and most recently the New York Yankees.
His reputation for offensive strategy and his wide-ranging baseball background might give Minnesota’s lineup a needed spark.
Ryan Flaherty’s Rapid Rise
Flaherty’s coaching career has taken off quickly. Once a smart, adaptable utility player, he’s now the Chicago Cubs’ bench coach under Craig Counsell.
He’s already been mentioned for jobs in Baltimore and San Diego. Flaherty’s modern approach and easy rapport with younger players could help the Twins shake up their clubhouse culture.
Candidates No Longer in Contention
As the Twins narrow their focus, a few names have dropped out:
- Vance Wilson
- Ramón Vázquez
- Nick Punto
Cutting these candidates shows the team wants either proven experience or high-upside potential instead of casting a wider net.
What This Means for the Twins’ Future
The stakes feel high for Minnesota. The right manager could finally create a steady winning culture and help the team’s young core develop.
It’s tough to choose between managers who’ve survived the MLB grind and coaches with fresh ideas. There’s no obvious answer, and maybe that’s what makes this moment so interesting for the Twins.
Timing and Next Steps
No one’s shared an official timeline yet, but the Twins seem close to making their final pick. The offseason’s heating up fast, and other teams are filling their managerial spots.
Once Minnesota settles on their new leader, they can shift focus to roster moves, free agency, and player development. There’s a lot on their plate for the upcoming season.
—
If you’d like, I can also suggest **SEO-friendly meta descriptions and keyword targeting** for this blog post to help rank it higher in baseball and sports news searches. Would you like me to prepare that?
Here is the source article for this story: Twins Narrow Managerial Search To Top Four Candidates
Experience Baseball History in Person
Want to walk the same grounds where baseball legends made history? Find accommodations near iconic ballparks across America and create your own baseball pilgrimage.
Check availability at hotels near: Yankee Stadium, Fenway Park, Wrigley Field, Dodger Stadium
Plan your ballpark visit: Get MLB Ballpark Tickets and find accommodations nearby.
- Biographies
- Stadium Guides
- Current Baseball Players
- Current Players by Team
- Players that Retired in the 2020s
- Players that Retired in the 2010s
- Players that Retired in the 2000s
- Players that Retired in the 1990s
- Players that Retired in the 1980s
- Players that Retired in the 1970s
- Players that Retired in the 1960s
- Players that Retired in the 1950s
- Players that Retired in the 1940s
- Players that Retired in the 1930s