Former Blue Jays coach a finalist for Minnesota Twins' managerial opening

In an offseason where nearly a quarter of all major league teams have openings for a new skipper, the Minnesota Twins appear to be closing in on selecting a new clubhouse leader.

The Texas Rangers were first to fill the void, with Skip Schumacher replacing the legendary Bruce Bochy. Earlier this week, the Los Angeles Angels also took themselves off the board, by announcing the surprising hire of former catcher Kurt Suzuki to lead their club into 2026.

While the Twins haven't made a final decision yet, Dan Hayes and Brittany Ghiroli of The Athletic indicate that they are down to the final four candidates: Ryan Flaherty, James Rowson, Scott Servais, and Derek Shelton.

Flaherty and Rowson are both currently in coaching positions, while Servais and Shelton have prior managing experience.

Servais lead the Seattle Mariners for parts of nine seasons before being let go towards the end of 2024. Shelton meanwhile, took over leading the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2020 until he was fired midway through this season.

Shelton though, has held coaching jobs in the bigs continuously since 2005.

Shelton was the hitting coach for the-then Cleveland Indians from 2005-2009, he then filled the same position for Tampa Bay until 2016 Upon being let go by the Rays, he spent one season as a quality control coach for the Toronto Blue Jays in 2017, before spending two seasons as Minnesota's bench coach under both Paul Molitor and Rocco Baldelli.

Shelton and Rowson are considered the frontrunner due to their previous ties to the Twins organization.

A final decision has not been announced.