The Seattle Mariners reportedly had interest in former Minnesota Twins skipper Rocco Baldelli for their managerial vacancy. Baldelli, who managed the Twins from 2019-25, has been working for the Los Angeles Dodgers as a special assistant. According to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal, Baldelli withdrew his name from Seattle's managerial search, "citing family considerations at this moment in time."
Rocco Baldelli has withdrawn from the Mariners’ managerial search, citing family considerations at this moment in time, sources tell The Athletic.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) October 26, 2026
Chicago Cubs director of player development Jason Kanzler and former Houston Astros manager Joe Espada are the only two known candidates remaining for the Mariners' managerial vacancy. There are reportedly other names in the mix.
The Mariners fired manager Dan Wilson after finishing the season with a disappointing 76-86 record. In 2025, Seattle made it all the way to Game 7 of the ALCS against the Toronto Blue Jays. The Mariners nearly made the World Series, but a go-ahead, late-inning home run from George Springer gave the Blue Jays the win.
Will former Minnesota Twins skipper Rocco Baldelli ever manage again?
After the Twins fired him following the 2025 season, Baldelli said he hopes to manage again. However, he said, “I owe my family a little time.” The Los Angeles Angels and Washington Nationals were interested in Baldelli for their managerial vacancies last offseason, but it's unknown whether he interviewed with either team. As a special assistant with the Dodgers, Baldelli has a much more flexible schedule than he did as a manager. He has a wife and three kids.
The Twins hired Baldelli after firing manager Paul Molitor following the 2018 season. In Baldelli's first season leading the clubhouse, the Twins won 101 games and set the single-season home run record (307) before losing to the New York Yankees in the American League Division Series. Minnesota returned to the postseason in the COVID-19-shortended 2020 season with a 36-24 record but were swept by the Houston Astros in the Wild Card round.
After missing the postseason in 2021 and 2022, the Twins returned to the playoffs in 2023 with an 87-75 record. Minnesota won its first postseason series in 21 years, beating the Toronto Blue Jays 2-0 in the Wild Card Series. Minnesota then lost to the Astros in the ALDS.
It all went downhill for Baldelli and the Twins after the 2023 season. Minnesota missed the playoffs in 2024 and 2025, with the 2025 season featuring a trade-deadline fire sale in which the Twins traded nearly 40% of their active roster. After the 2025 season, the Twins scapegoated Baldelli, firing him and replacing him with former Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton. While a clubhouse change was probably due, Baldelli isn't the main reason for the Twins' recent shortcomings, as Minnesota's ownership slashed payroll by roughly $30 million after 2023 and made no significant moves in the 2024-25 offseason.
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