Minnesota Twins, Derek Falvey Mutually Part Ways After Seven Seasons

The Minnesota Twins sent shockwaves through Major League Baseball by announcing a sudden leadership change just weeks before spring training. Few around the league saw this coming—the organization parted ways with longtime president of baseball operations Derek Falvey and bumped general manager Jeremy Zoll up to oversee baseball operations, though he’ll keep his GM title.

This decision comes at a tough moment for the franchise. The team’s already dealing with ownership changes, payroll uncertainty, and a lot of pressure to stay competitive in the American League Central.

An Unexpected End to Derek Falvey’s Tenure

Falvey’s exit closes out a nearly decade-long run that really changed how the Twins did business behind the scenes. He joined after the 2016 season, brought in to modernize things and blend analytics with old-school scouting—something the Twins badly needed at the time.

A Mutual Decision Amid Changing Needs

Executive chair Tom Pohlad called the split a mutual decision. According to him, the team’s needs have shifted.

Pohlad credited Falvey with building a modern baseball operations department and helping set the Twins up for long-term success. Even if the team didn’t always make deep playoff runs, he sees Falvey’s impact as lasting.

Falvey agreed, saying the separation came after some honest talks following the recent ownership transition. His job had grown to include business operations in recent years, not just baseball. That probably pushed both sides to rethink the structure.

Measuring Falvey’s On-Field Legacy

Looking at wins and losses, Falvey did pretty well in Minnesota. The Twins claimed three division titles and made the playoffs four times while he was in charge—a big deal for a team that usually works with a tight budget.

Key Achievements and Personnel Moves

One of Falvey’s first big moves was hiring Thad Levine as general manager. Together, they led the Twins through several competitive cycles.

Levine left last offseason, which opened the door for Jeremy Zoll’s promotion to GM. That move feels even more important now.

• Three American League Central titles
• Four postseason appearances
• A revamped analytics and scouting infrastructure
• Commitment to developing and keeping homegrown talent

Falvey always insisted on keeping core players like Byron Buxton, Pablo López, and Joe Ryan. Even when the front office had to trim payroll, he tried to protect the team’s foundation.

The Timing That Raised Eyebrows

The timing of all this is what really stands out. Spring training is less than two weeks away, and most offseason business is already done. You almost never see a shakeup like this so close to the season.

A Franchise in Transition

This announcement wraps up a rocky couple of years for the Twins. There was an attempted sale, a failed deal with Justin Ishbia, and eventually, new minority investors stepped in.

Those investors helped settle some big debts, but the Pohlad family still holds the majority. Joe Pohlad stepped down as control person, with his brother Tom taking over. Tom’s now temporarily handling Falvey’s old business duties while the team looks for a new business president.

What This Means for the Twins’ Future

The Twins’ projected payroll sits around $108 million, which is about $30 million less than last season and way below their 2023 high. Jeremy Zoll takes over a roster that feels like it’s at a real crossroads.

A Potential Shift in Roster Philosophy

Zoll might take a different approach than his predecessor. Maybe he’ll lean toward short-term veteran signings instead of locking in long-term deals.

Does that mean the team’s going all-in, or is it just a reaction to payroll constraints? Honestly, it’s not clear yet.

For now, Falvey says he wants to spend time with his family. He’ll think about his next move later.

The Twins, meanwhile, need some stability—upstairs and on the field. Another season’s coming, and the questions just keep piling up.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Twins Announce “Mutual” Parting Of Ways With Derek Falvey