In a surprising and out-of-the-blue announcement, the Twins on Friday parted ways with longtime president of baseball operations Derek Falvey. General manager Jeremy Zoll will move up from the team’s No. 2 hit list to the top spot (though his title will not change). Executive chairman Tom Pohlad issued the following statement in a press release today:
“Over the past few weeks, Derek and I have had open and honest discussions about leadership, structure, and the future of the team. We have reached a common understanding that the needs of the organization are changing and that a change in leadership is the best way forward. I want to thank Derek for everything he has contributed to this organization. When he joined the Twins nine years ago, he greatly helped transform modern leadership. All aspects of our baseball game and led by strong values, purpose, and purpose. Derek created a culture based on learning and the belief that organizations grow when people grow. Under his leadership, the Twins took three division titles and made his postseason appearance.
Falvey gave his own statement:
“After a series of thoughtful conversations with Tom that began after the change in ownership and continued over the last few weeks, we both agreed that this was the right time for us to part ways. A change in ownership naturally creates moments of reflection and honest conversations about leadership, vision, and how the organization wants to move forward. Over the past few weeks we’ve had those open and constructive conversations reach out to me openly and constructively… On a personal level, I look forward to taking time to be with my family, think and consider what’s next for now, but I’m grateful for the experience I’ve had here and I’m excited for the next chapter when the time is right.
Falvey was hired to lead Minnesota baseball operations following the 2016 season. Initially given the title of “baseball executive,” he hired Thad Levine — who stepped down from the Twins last season — as general manager under him. That pairing led the Twins for the next eight years, with Falvey being extended twice and eventually being named “president of baseball operations”.
Last winter, after Levine left, the Twins announced that Zoll would be promoted to GM. Falvey continued as president of baseball operations and actually took on an even bigger role, taking over the president of business operations responsibilities for Dave St. Peter while St. Falvey’s two presidential titles seemed to keep him focused on the Twins for a long time; to see him not only stop overseeing baseball operations but leave the club entirely 15 months later is truly shocking.
Of course, little has changed for the Twins since Falvey ascended to president of baseball and business operations. The decision of St. Peter’s resignation came shortly after the Pohlad family announced their intention to explore selling the club. The Twins thought they had a buyer lined up in Justin Ishbia, co-owner of the NBA’s Phoenix Suns and a minority owner of division rival White Sox. The momentum of that sale waned, however, when the White Sox offered Ishbia a way to increase his stake in the club and eventually buy a majority stake from current owner Jerry Reinsdorf (a few years down the road).
The Twins never found a buyer for most of the club, due to reported debts of more than $400MM (more than the $1.7 billion it was said to be worth). Instead, they accepted a number of minority shareholders who bought their shares at that rate of $1.7 billion, thereby clearing most (if not all) of the debt. Craig Leipold, owner of the NHL’s Minnesota Wild, was a well-known name among the new participants.
The Pohlad family has retained majority ownership of the team, continuing their ten-year run, but some changes have been made. Joe Pohlad, nephew of predecessor Jim Pohlad and great-grandson of the late Carl Pohlad (who originally bought the team in 1984), was ousted as executive chairman after just three years. Tom, his older brother, took over as executive chairman and was approved by the league as the team’s new managing director. He is now taking over Falvey’s duties on an interim basis as president of business operations, although a press release this morning indicates that the twins will immediately begin a search to bring in a new president for the business side of their operation.
The Twins had an up-and-down run in the American League Central during Falvey’s time as their baseball leader. On the surface, parting ways with the president of baseball after a 92-loss season and in the midst of an ownership shakeup doesn’t sound all that surprising. Also, if this move had happened so soon after the season, it wouldn’t have been eye-opening.
However, time travel makes it an unprecedented frontier. Teams don’t make that many baseball shifts two weeks before spring training begins and when the heavy lifting of the offseason (potentially) has already taken place. As Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic notes, the Twins just held their annual media lunch last week; Falvey was the keynote speaker.
More details and comments from Twins brass will continue to filter in over the coming days, weeks and months. It is not yet clear whether a change in baseball leadership will cause a change in direction regarding the roster. Falvey has previously spoken about his desire to keep the stars Byron Buxton, Pablo Lopez again Joe Ryaneven after last July’s sales deadline. One would think that he and Zoll are aligned in that area, but at least now it’s possible that a different leading voice will allow for a different strategy. If nothing else, other clubs will go back and check with Zoll about the possible availability of those veteran players (and, perhaps, a replacement. Ryan Jeffersentering his final season in charge of the club).
On the other side of the coin, Minnesota’s payroll currently projects just $108MM, per RosterResource. That’s about $30MM from last year’s levels and miles below the club-record payout from 2023, when the Twins approach $160MM. Ownership may not return the money at that level, but Zoll may be ready to bring in more pieces for the veteran than his former boss.
Just after the leadership talks, there’s no clear way of knowing what the change will mean for the Twins’ roster, but today’s announcement stands as the latest development in what has been a tumultuous two years for the Twins organization since they nearly got a contract in the early 2000s.
