Former Toronto Blue Jays coach named next manager of the Minnesota Twins

The Minnesota Twins have hired Derek Shelton to be the team's manager for the 2026 season. He will take over from Rocco Baldelli who was let go at the end of the season.

This makes the Twins the fifth team to hire a new manager following the Texas Rangers, Baltimore Orioles, San Francisco Giants, and Los Angeles Angels. The Colorado Rockies, Washington Nationals, and San Diego Padres are yet to hire a new skipper.

Shelton himself was fired midway through 2025 season, after five-and-a-half seasons helming the Pittsburgh Pirates. While his record leading the Bucs was mixed, with only a 306-440 record for a .410. winning percentage, Shelton is respected around the league for his leadership capabilities.

His new gig in Minnesota also brings him full circle. Prior to being named Pittsburgh's manager, he also spent two seasons in the Twin Cities as bench coach, serving as a bridge between Baldelli and his predecessor Paul Molitor.

Shelton has also previously coached for both the-then Cleveland Indians and Tampa Bay Rays and spent a single season with the Toronto Blue Jays as their quality control coach.

Meanwhile, Shelton's predecessor Rocco Baldelli has received from the Washington Nationals, who have also informed interim skipper Miguel Cairo - another former Blue Jay - that he is now out of the running for 2026.

While Minnesota has yet to officially announce the deal, it could be made public as early as tonight.