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Former MN Twin Relieved of His Managerial Duties
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- Former MN Twin Relieved of His Managerial Duties
Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images via Reuters Connect
The Minnesota Twins went through a coaching change last offseason. After Rocco Baldelli managed seven seasons for the Twins (1,032 games), he was sent packing and replaced by Derek Shelton, a former Minnesota bench coach who had since been hired and fired as the manager in Pittsburgh.
After a 77-85 first season as skipper, Twins executive chair Tom Pohlad confirmed that Shelton will be staying on for at least one more season. Of course, the same cannot be said around the league where managerial changes are as likely every offseason as the sun going down every evening.
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This year, however, the darkness is closing in quickly on AL West skippers. Entering Wednesday, the Seattle Mariners (Dan Wilson) and Houston Astros (Joe Espada) had already announced a change in dugout leadership.
Kurt Suzuki done as Los Angeles Angels manager
Today, the Angels joined the group of AL West teams that will have a new skipper in 2027, declining the 2027 option on former Minnesota Twins catcher Kurt Suzuki 's contract. Technically, he wasn't fired.
The club offered him a role to remain with the organization as a special assistant, as well.
OFFICIAL: The Angels announced that the Club has declined the option in Kurt Suzuki's contract and, in coordination with Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, will search for a new manager and coaching staff for the 2027 season. https://t.co/RExo0C19az
— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) October 21, 2026
Related: Twins' Bomba Squad Catcher Calls it a Career
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Change should have been expected throughout the organization when Stan Kroenke agreed to buy the team from Arte Moreno. That led to John Mozeliak taking over as interim general manager after Perry Minasian was dismissed in June. Now Suzuki is out too.
In his first season as a big-league manager, Suzuki led the Angels to a 62-100 record. It was another fifth-place finish in the division. It was the first 100-loss season in Angels franchise history. It was also a season that included 10 more losses than Ron Washington and Ray Montgomery combined for one season earlier.
The Angels haven't had a winning record since 2015 (85-77), their final season as the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Suzuki managed under Moreno's ownership. The next manager will work for Kroenke.
Suzuki has MN Twins All-Star memories
Although Suzuki's tenure in Los Angeles didn't end on his terms, his time in Minnesota produced a career highlight. He played 16 years in the big leagues and his lone All-Star appearance came with the Twins in 2014. Target Field hosted the Midsummer Classic , and Glen Perkins delivered the final outs to his batterymate.
Suzuki batted .288 with a .727 OPS that season. He had spent strong years with the Oakland Athletics early on in his career before becoming a regular over three seasons with the Minnesota Twins.
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Across 368 games with the franchise, he batted .263 with a .680 OPS. Suzuki finished his career playing two seasons with the Angels. Just four years after hanging up his cleats, he was managing the team that once employed him.
