The Minnesota Twins are hiring former Pittsburgh Pirates supervisor Derek Shelton to be the workforce’s new supervisor, sources confirmed to ESPN’s Jeff Passan on Wednesday.
Shelton, who was fired on Could 8 because the Pirates rapidly slipped into final place within the Nationwide League Central, will exchange Rocco Baldelli, who was fired by Minnesota on Sept. 29.
The 55-year-old Shelton was the bench coach for the Twins in 2018 and 2019 beneath two totally different managers, Paul Molitor and Baldelli.
New York Yankees hitting coach James Rowson, who held that position for the Twins beneath each Molitor and Baldelli earlier than leaving to grow to be bench coach of the Miami Marlins in 2020, was additionally one of many finalists. Former Seattle Mariners supervisor Scott Servais and present Chicago Cubs bench coach Ryan Flaherty reportedly have been within the combine, too.
The Twins are one among 9 MLB groups who’ve modified managers this yr.
Shelton was named supervisor of the Pirates in November 2019 as a part of a franchise-wide reset by proprietor Bob Nutting. It was his first main league managing job after serving as a coach in varied capacities in Tampa Bay, Toronto and Minnesota, and he went 306-440 in his five-plus seasons with Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh gained lower than 40% of its video games in Shelton’s first three seasons earlier than taking a step ahead in 2023 when it gained 76 video games. Paul Skenes’ arrival in 2024 gave the franchise one other jolt, and the Pirates have been in playoff competition till an August swoon. In 2025, the Pirates’ offense beneath Shelton languished close to the underside of the NL.
The Twins, who have been anticipated to contend for the AL Central title this season, faltered in June and have become lively on the commerce deadline, sending away 10 gamers whereas reducing $26 million from the payroll. The workforce went 23-43 after the All-Star break to complete fourth within the division with a 70-92 mark.
It was the fourth-worst file within the main leagues and their worst mark since 2016.
Attendance swooned at Goal Subject this season, with the Twins ending with an 81-home recreation whole of a little bit greater than 1.7 million tickets offered, their lowest quantity in a non-pandemic season since 2000, after they performed on the Metrodome and completed 69-93.
Followers principally have directed their disdain towards possession, with deep frustration over value reducing that got here after the 2023 breakthrough Baldelli led with the top of a file 18-game postseason shedding streak and the membership’s first win of a playoff collection in 21 years.
Government chair Joe Pohlad and his relations put the franchise up on the market in 2024, however determined in August to maintain management and produce on two new funding teams for an infusion of money to assist pay down debt.
The New York Put up first reported information on Shelton’s hiring by the Twins.
The Related Press contributed to this report.