Derek Falvey reacts to Thad Levine parting way with Twins

We already figured it would be an offseason of change for the Minnesota Twins, but the extent is only now being felt. The Twins parted ways with four coaches from Rocco Baldelli's staff, and also have a vacancy in the front office to fill.

On Friday the Twins announced that Thad Levine, who took over day-to-day operations in the front office back in 2016, would be leaving the organization. It's a move that doesn't come as a total surprise, but it amplified against the backdrop of everything else the team has going on this winter.

Levine almost left last winter, as he was reportedly a finalist for the top front office job with the Boston Red Sox. While he didn't end up getting hired, the fact that it the interest was mutual seemed to indicate the writing was on the wall.

Everything that happened after that, from the Twins poorly constructing their roster thanks in large part to a severely reduced payroll, didn't help.

Levine said that he's leaving the Twins to “pursue new challenges and opportunities, both inside and outside of baseball," and his departure closes a pretty significant chapter in team history.

Derek Falvey releases statement after Thad Levine parts ways with Twins

After the announcement was made, Falvey released a statement thanking Levine for the years they spent together while wishing him well in whatever he does next.

“Thad’s impact on the Minnesota Twins cannot be overstated. He has been a true partner and leader, always striving to elevate the organization and care for the people around him. Thad helped create a strong team culture, one focused on excellence and collaboration, that will continue well into the future. While we will miss his leadership, we are equally excited to see the next chapter of his journey unfold, and we wish him nothing but success in his future endeavors. I want to personally thank him for everything he has done to help us get better every day.”

It's the end of one of the most successful partnerships the Twins have seen. Both Falvey and Levine came to Minnesota in 2016 and were each extended not long after. Over the course of their time together, they brought in players like Royce Lewis, Carlos Correa, Pablo Lopez, Sonny Gray, Joe Ryan, and made sure Byron Buxton would remain a part of the core for the foreseeable future.

Levine also helped lay the foundation for the next generation of Twins baseball, helping draft players like Brooks Lee, Luke Keaschall, Emmanuel Rodriguez, and Walker Jenkins. His parting draft pick was Kaelen Culpepper as well as potential key pieces of the future like Billy Amick and Kyle DeBarge.

His tenure wasn't perfect, something that was painfully evident this past season, but he did far more good for the Twins than anything else. Levine helped usher in a new era for the franchise, but whatever happens next is now officially out of his hands.

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