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Fired Twins Manager Mulling Over Several Job Offers Already
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- Fired Twins Manager Mulling Over Several Job Offers Already
Matt Blewett-Imagn Images
The Major League Baseball Postseason has captivated the sports nation so far this fall, in a way that it has not for a decade and a half. On Tuesday, MLB Communications revealed that playoff viewership in 2025 is up 30% (4.33 million) from last year, the best numbers the league has seen in 15 years.
Unfortunately, the only benefit for the Minnesota Twins has been the increased excitement watching from their living rooms, like the rest of us. That's because, for the second-straight season, the local nine failed to make the MLB Postseason, finishing with their worst record (72-90) since 2016 .
Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images
Reaching their playoff goals isn't expected to get any easier this offseason, as fans and media brace for another round of cuts to the roster's payroll for 2026. In other words, things at 1 Twins Way are expected to get even worse , before they get better.
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The same thing cannot be said for the man they just fired, however. Since being cut loose over two weeks ago, Rocco Baldelli — who is enjoying a multi-million dollar salary guaranteed by the Twins through 2026 — has been enjoying the unemployed life with family, as he unwinds from his six-year tenure as Minnesota's skipper.
Rocco Baldelli already swimming in job offers?
Baldelli spoke with Dan Hayes of the Athletic this week, giving him an update on work and personal life, since his dismissal. The biggest stress factor in his life currently, Rocco reiterated multiple times during the interview, is making sure his coaches (who are currently still employed by the Twins) are taken care of.
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Because when it comes time to decide on his future, the former Minnesota Twins manager isn't worried about his prospects. Why? According to Rocco himself, he already has 10 or more job offers currently on the table, though he would not divulge publicly into what they are or which teams have reached out.
As many as 10 teams called Baldelli in the aftermath of his Sept. 29 dismissal from the Twins to express interest in hiring the 2019 American League Manager of the Year for a variety of different roles, though Baldelli didn't specify any job titles.
In the days after he was let go, Baldelli heard from many in his baseball community, which uplifted his spirits. Potential jobs were discussed and doors for the future were opened, giving him confidence he'll find a spot for 2026.
Of course, we do not know what type of job offers Baldelli is holding. Specifically, it's not known whether any of the offers are to jump immediately back in as a team's manager. Rocco Baldelli finished his managerial career in Minnesota with a record just over .500, at 527-505 (.511).
That goes to show how impressive that W/L number was, entering the 2024 season (475-333 | .588), prior to the Pohlads cutting $30 million from player payroll , which handcuffed their former manager and the front office for the next two seasons, eventually leading to Baldelli's dismissal.
Former Minnesota Twins manager wants new job… just not yet
While Rocco tells Hayes that he loved his time as MN Twins manager, and wants to step back into the managerial role again sooner than later. However, it doesn't sound like Baldelli plans to jump back into the saddle early enough to land a head job before the 2026 season.
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The 44-year-old wants to take some time off, and believes he owes that much to his family. Professionally, though, that help his odds of filling one of the seven currently vacant manager jobs around the league. Most teams in need of a new skipper are already on the hunt to hire him, and they want it done ASAP.
It's difficult to move on with an offseason to-do list, without a manager in place. That's why, more than likely, Baldelli will have to settle for some sort of team advisor role next season, before diving back into the managerial coaching pool more aggressively in 2027.
…knowing he wanted to decompress after spending the past seven seasons in the dugout, Baldelli is enjoying a temporary pause. He plans to work again next season, but he isn't in a rush to figure out his new role.
Still, Baldelli would get back on the managing train if the fit's right and the timeline aligned… With seven managerial openings aside from the Twins, the potential for a new job exists. But Baldelli is enjoying spending time with his wife and children. "I need to get my family settled in, whether it's two weeks or two months," he said — and doesn't expect teams to wait around for him to make a decision…
Baldelli recognizes the risk he'd run by leaving the industry entirely and therefore plans to work in some capacity next season…But for now, Baldelli is content to take his time. "It's possible I may not manage this year, but I fully expect to stay active," he said.
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