It’s the season of change in Minnesota.
On the heels of a late season collapse, the Minnesota Twins and general manager Thad Levine have agreed to part ways, the team announced on Friday.
The news comes just two days after Minnesota revealed that four of its coaches — including three members of the hitting staff — would not be returning for the 2025 season.
“Thad’s impact on the Minnesota Twins cannot be overstated,” Twins President of Baseball Operations, Derek Falvey, said in a statement released Friday. “He has been a true partner and leader, always striving to elevate the organization and care for the people around him.”
“The time is right for me to pursue my next enriching, professional challenge,” Levine said, per the same team statement.
Levine joined the Twins in 2016 and played a major role in the franchise’s revitalization, with Minnesota winning three AL Central titles and securing four postseason berths in the last seven seasons.
Facing off against the Blue Jays in the 2023 AL Wild Card Series, the Twins won their first postseason game since 2004 and their first postseason series since 2002.
Expectations were high for 2024 and the Twins appeared poised for another postseason run up until mid-August.
Minnesota dropped 27 of its final 39 regular season games and was leapfrogged by two AL Central Division rivals, the Kansas City Royals and the Detroit Tigers.
The Twins finished with a record of 82-80 and missed the playoffs.
Much of the meltdown in Minnesota was pinned on debacles in the batter’s box.
Through July, the Twins ranked eighth in runs averaged per game.
In August and September, they were 20th.
The slump cost several jobs: hitting coach David Popkins and assistant hitting coaches Derek Shomon and Rudy Hernandez. Infield coach Tony Diaz is out as well.
Minnesota fans had been chanting for the firing of Rocco Baldelli as the on-field product worsened, but the Twins manager will be back for 2025.
