Twins expected to interview former Mariners manager Scott Servais for open manager job
Former Seattle Mariners manager Scott Servais is expected to be interviewed for the Minnesota Twins' vacant manager job, according to the Minnesota Star Tribune's LaVelle E. Neal III. The Orioles have also expressed interest in Servais for their open manager position. Servais joins a long list of Twins manager candidates that includes Nick Punto, James Rowson, Derek Shelton, Ramón Vázquez and Vance Wilson.
The Seattle Mariners, who were just eliminated from the playoffs after losing a nail-biting ALCS Game 7 against the Toronto Blue Jays, fired Servais on Aug. 22, 2024, due to Seattle going from 13 games above .500 to falling below .500. Servais, 58, worked nine seasons as the Mariners' manager.
During his tenure as the Mariners' manager, Servais led the Mariners to their best season since 2003, finishing the 2021 campaign with a 90-72 record despite a -51 run differential. The Mariners failed to make the playoffs that year, finishing two games back of the final American League Wild Card spot, but winning 90 games was still a step in the right direction for the Mariners.
Servais did eventually bring Seattle to the postseason, as the team defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 2-0 in the 2022 American League Wild Card Series, clinching their first postseason series victory in 21 years. The Mariners went on to lose in the Divisional Round against their division-rival Houston Astros, but the season was considered a success by many around the league, given Seattle's history.
Before his coaching career, Servais spent 11 seasons as a player in MLB, playing for the Houston Astros, Chicago Cubs, San Francisco Giants and Colorado Rockies. He posted 3.1 bWAR and a 79 OPS+ throughout his career.
One reason for the Twins to hire Servais, who worked as a special assistant for player development with the San Diego Padres in 2025, is the fact that he has managed an MLB team. All of the other candidates besides Derek Shelton have no management experience. It's unclear which direction the Pohlads and front office want to go with the manager position, but Servais' experience is certainly something for them to consider.