Minnesota Twins Hire Derek Shelton as New Manager
The Minnesota Twins have selected Derek Shelton as their new manager, according to sources confirmed to ESPN. Shelton, who previously served as the Twins' bench coach in 2018-2019, returns to Minnesota after being fired by the Pittsburgh Pirates earlier this season. The hiring comes as the Twins look to rebuild following a disappointing 70-92 season that saw them finish fourth in the AL Central.
The Minnesota Twins are making a significant leadership change by hiring Derek Shelton as their new manager, sources confirmed to ESPN on Wednesday. This move marks a return to familiar territory for Shelton, who previously served as the Twins' bench coach during the 2018 and 2019 seasons under then-manager Rocco Baldelli.
Shelton's hiring comes at a critical juncture for the Twins organization, which is seeking to rebound from one of its most challenging seasons in recent memory. The team finished the 2025 campaign with a 70-92 record, marking their fourth-worst performance in the major leagues and their poorest showing since 2016.
Shelton's Managerial Background
Derek Shelton brings substantial managerial experience to the Twins, having previously led the Pittsburgh Pirates for five-plus seasons. During his tenure with Pittsburgh from 2020 through part of the 2025 season, Shelton compiled a 306-440 record. His time with the Pirates represented his first major league managing position after serving in various coaching capacities with Tampa Bay, Toronto, and Minnesota.
Shelton's Pittsburgh tenure saw gradual improvement, with the team winning less than 40% of its games in his first three seasons before making significant strides in 2023 with 76 victories. The arrival of pitching prospect Paul Skenes in 2024 provided additional momentum, though the team ultimately fell short of playoff contention.
Twins' Recent Struggles
The Twins' decision to hire Shelton follows the September 29 dismissal of Rocco Baldelli, who had led the team since 2019. Minnesota's 2025 season proved particularly disappointing for an organization that had entered the year with expectations of contending for the AL Central title.
According to ESPN reports, the team's struggles became particularly pronounced in June, leading to significant roster changes at the trade deadline. The Twins moved ten players while reducing payroll by $26 million, but the moves failed to reverse the team's fortunes as they posted a 23-43 record after the All-Star break.
Organizational Challenges
The Twins face multiple challenges beyond their on-field performance. Attendance at Target Field declined significantly during the 2025 season, with the team drawing just over 1.7 million fans for their 81 home games. This represented their lowest attendance in a non-pandemic season since 2000, when they played at the Metrodome and finished 69-93.
Shelton's familiarity with the Twins organization from his previous coaching stint provides him with valuable institutional knowledge as he takes on this new role. His experience navigating the challenges of rebuilding with the Pirates could prove valuable as he works to restore competitiveness in Minnesota.
Looking Ahead
The hiring of Derek Shelton represents the first major step in the Twins' organizational reset following their disappointing 2025 campaign. His return to Minnesota brings continuity while signaling a fresh approach to leadership. As the team prepares for the offseason and looks toward the 2026 season, Shelton's task will be to rebuild both performance and fan engagement for a franchise seeking to return to contention in the American League Central.
