MINNEAPOLIS, January 30, 2026 – In a stunning move just weeks before spring training, the Minnesota Twins and longtime president of baseball operations Derek Falvey have parted ways, effective immediately. General manager Jeremy Zoll will step into the top baseball operations role, though his title will remain unchanged.
A Sudden Shift Before Spring Training
The unexpected leadership change raises questions about the Twins’ direction as they prepare for the upcoming season.
- Derek Falvey, who modernized the Twins’ baseball operations, is out after nine years.
- Jeremy Zoll, previously the general manager, will lead baseball operations.
- The move comes amid a recent ownership transition and a failed sale attempt.
- The Twins’ future roster strategy, particularly regarding key players, is now uncertain.
Executive chair Tom Pohlad offered a statement praising Falvey’s contributions: “Over the past several weeks, Derek and I had thoughtful and candid conversations about leadership, structure, and the future of the club. We reached a shared understanding that the needs of the organization are evolving and that a leadership transition is the best way to move forward. When he joined the Twins nine years ago, it was, in many ways, a watershed moment for this franchise. His leadership was transformational.” Pohlad continued, noting Falvey’s impact on the organization’s culture and success, including three division titles and four postseason appearances.
What prompted this abrupt change in leadership for the Twins? Falvey himself acknowledged the shift, stating, “Following a series of thoughtful conversations with Tom that began after the ownership transition and progressed over the past few weeks, we both agreed this was the right time for us to part ways.” He added he looks forward to spending time with his family and considering future opportunities.
Falvey was initially hired as “chief baseball officer” following the 2016 season, bringing in Thad Levine as general manager. The duo led the Twins for eight years, with Falvey receiving contract extensions and eventually being named president of baseball operations. Last winter, after Levine’s departure, Zoll was promoted to general manager, and Falvey took on additional responsibilities following the retirement of Dave St. Peter as president of business operations.
The timing of Falvey’s departure is particularly surprising, coming just two weeks before spring training and after the Twins held their annual media luncheon, where Falvey was the keynote speaker. The move follows a tumultuous period for the organization, beginning with the Pohlad family’s decision to explore a sale of the team in October 2024.
A potential sale to Justin Ishbia, co-owner of the Phoenix Suns and a minority owner of the White Sox, fell through when the White Sox offered Ishbia a path to a majority stake in their club. The Twins ultimately welcomed a trio of minority stakeholders – including Craig Leipold, owner of the NHL’s Minnesota Wild – at a $1.7 billion valuation, alleviating significant debt. Joe Pohlad was subsequently removed as executive chair, with his older brother, Tom, assuming the role.
The Twins’ performance under Falvey has been inconsistent, and the team finished with a 92-loss season in 2025. While a change in leadership after such a season might not be shocking, the timing raises eyebrows. The future of key players like Byron Buxton, Pablo Lopez, and Joe Ryan remains uncertain, though Falvey had previously expressed a desire to retain them. It’s possible Zoll may approach roster decisions differently.
Currently, the Twins’ projected payroll is $108 million, significantly lower than the $160 million spent in 2023. While ownership is unlikely to return to those spending levels, Zoll might be more open to adding veteran players than Falvey was.
The leadership shuffle marks a pivotal moment for the Twins, representing the most significant organizational upheaval since the early 2000s. The coming weeks and months will reveal how this change impacts the team’s trajectory.
