Twins Hire Derek Shelton, Replacing Baldelli

The Minnesota Twins have hired Derek Shelton as their next manager, returning the 55-year-old who served as the Twins’ bench coach in 2018–19. Shelton was fired by the Pittsburgh Pirates in May after a 12–26 start and finished his Pirates tenure 306–440 over five-plus seasons. He replaces Rocco Baldelli after a 70–92 2025 season and inherits a roster that was significantly reshaped at the trade deadline, leaving the club with an uphill path back to contention. Twins president Derek Falvey and team insiders framed the hire as a homecoming for a leader who blends analytics with player development and steady communication. The move tightens Major League Baseball’s managerial carousel, leaving a handful of remaining openings including notable searches in Atlanta and San Diego.