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Minnesota Twins manager Rocco Baldelli. John Hefti-Imagn Images

Rocco Baldelli’s time running out as Twins teeter on collapse

By Colin Cerniglia | Last updated Sep 17, 2024 10:20 AM ET

The Minnesota Twins (79-71) are in dangerous territory. After Monday night’s 4-3 loss to the Cleveland Guardians, their lead in the wild-card race has shrunk to just 1.5 games over the surging Detroit Tigers (78-73).

With a brutal schedule ahead and a team struggling to find its identity, there’s one pressing question: Is Rocco Baldelli’s tenure with the Twins on borrowed time?

Baldelli’s once-promising tenure has soured since his breakout 2019 season, where the Twins won 101 games and blasted a historic 307 home runs. But that success feels distant.

Since then, the team has been mediocre, with this season threatening to push them off the playoff stage. Their 6-9 start to September only adds fuel to the fire.

What’s alarming is the lack of urgency from this team. July was mediocre, and while the trade deadline could have been a turning point, the Twins did nothing.

A 14-14 August and inconsistent play in September make it clear that this roster needed help.

Injuries to stars like designated hitter Byron Buxton and shortstop Carlos Correa have played a role, but that’s no excuse. The team still has talent. And while the pitching staff ranks a disappointing 21st in ERA, Baldelli has to take responsibility for the lack of intensity that has plagued his squad.

#MNTwins are 9-18 since August 18, and their pitching staff has absolutely collapsed during that time.

All pitchers:
4.95 ERA, #27 in MLB
-3.27 WPA, #30 in MLB

Starters:
4.55 ERA, #22 in MLB
-0.52 WPA, #24 in MLB

Relievers:
5.47 ERA, #28 in MLB
-2.75 WPA, #30 in MLB
— Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) September 17, 2024

His comments after a sweep by Kansas City, calling the team "unprofessional," raised eyebrows, especially among the players.

Former Twins third baseman Trevor Plouffe expressed his disapproval on the SKOR North Twins Show.

"You understand things aren't going well. You need a kick in the a-- every once in a while? Sure, sure, but being called unprofessional is not something that you like. You don't have to like everything that your manager does, but I think the choice of words there is poor."

This kind of friction suggests a growing disconnect between Baldelli and the clubhouse — a sign that the manager's control over the team may be slipping.

Baldelli is under contract until 2025, but contracts mean little if a team collapses under the weight of unmet expectations. His overall .529 winning percentage as Twins' manager is respectable, but outside of 2019, he’s barely over .500 (353-343).

The Twins have too much potential to settle for mediocrity, and right now, that’s all Baldelli’s tenure represents.

The remaining schedule is unforgiving, with games against the Guardians, Orioles, and Red Sox — all playoff contenders. There’s still time to salvage this season, but if the Twins miss out on the postseason, a change seems inevitable.

Failure is not an option for this club. And if the Twins fall short, Baldelli’s time in Minnesota may come to a swift end.

Colin Cerniglia

Colin Cerniglia is an Amazon bestselling author, co-host of the "2 Jocks and a Schlub" podcast from Blue Wire, and a contributor to The Charlotte Observer. With a deep passion for baseball and college football, he offers extensive knowledge and enthusiasm to his writing. Colin resides in Charlotte, NC, with his wife and two daughters

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