Twins Make Statement On Future Of Manager Rocco Baldelli

The Minnesota Twins have had a disastrous month of September, dropping them far out of the playoff hunt, after they had held 1st place in the AL Central for much of the season. But manager Rocco Baldelli is not going to be the one to take the fall. The Twins front office gave him a full vote of confidence today.

Derek Falvey, on Rocco Baldelli's job status:

"Rocco's our manager. He's my partner in this all the way through. That's never even crossed my mind, quite frankly. ... Rocco's a big part of our future. Not just next year, but beyond."

— Do-Hyoung Park (@dohyoungpark) September 23, 2022

“Rocco's our manager. He's my partner in this all the way through." said president of baseball operations Derek Falvey about Baldelli. "[His job status has] never even crossed my mind, quite frankly. ... Rocco is a big part of our future, not just next season but beyond.”

The Twins have been hit hard by injuries this season, and despite that, were only one game out of 1st place as of the beginning of September. But a 6-15 swoon this month has dropped Minnesota 10 games back of the division lead (full credit to the Cleveland Guardians, who have been on a roll in September, going 15-6). 

But the insane slew of injuries really made it impossible for this team to compete. Baldelli cannot be held responsible for that.

Rocco Baldelli is a good manager who last year was supplied Colome, Happ & Shoemaker as his primary pitching additions, and this year was dealt an unprecedented slate of injuries that progressively whittled roster to nothingness, as well as his pitching coach leaving midseason.

— Nick Nelson (@NickNelsonMN) September 23, 2022

In addition to the usual suspects, like Byron Buxton missing 58 games and counting (he's about to have season-ending surgery), the Twins' pitching staff was hit hard with Chris Paddack going down for the year, and trade deadline acquisition Tyler Mahle hitting the IL, in addition to Kenta Maeda not being able to make it back this season from Tommy John surgery.

Former All-Star Jorge Polanco has missed considerable time, as has Max Kepler, while prized rookie Royce Lewis only managed to get in 12 games before going down for the year. Then add Alex Kirilloff, Miguel Sano, Trevor Larnach, and the list of the walking wounded goes on.

Rocco Baldelli, at least, has been assured that he will not be added to the list of Twins casualties, so to speak.

Photos: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports, Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports