We will probably never know the full story regarding the Twins and Derek Falvey "mutually" parting ways just weeks before the start of spring training. However, we have reports that can help us draw our own conclusions.
Why did Derek Falvey and the Twins "mutually" part ways?
“[Former Twins executive chair] Joe [Pohlad] and I had a different plan and working dynamic,” Falvey said to reporters, including Dan Hayes of The Athletic (subscription required). “[New Twins executive chair] Tom [Pohlad] wants to run it a little differently.
Maybe Tom Pohlad wanted Falvey to step down from his role as head of business operations and focus on baseball operations, but Falvey opposed a demotion. Maybe Falvey isn't as optimistic as Tom that the team can compete in 2026, and that led to the two parties parting ways.
One thing that we can assume is that Falvey was frustrated with the lack of resources given to him by ownership. It's doubtful that it was Falvey's idea to reduce payroll after the 2023 season in which Minnesota won its first playoff series in 21 years. It's also doubtful that the trade deadline fire sale was entirely his idea. Now, Falvey doesn't have to deal with the headache that the Pohlads created for the former team president.
Shocking Derek Falvey departure may have a generous silver lining for Twins execs
Hays did report one reason for Falvey's decision to part ways with the Twins, saying that a source described the former team president's decision to leave as a means to allow the rest of the front office to “create [their] own history” with Tom. If Falvey had stayed, tension between him and the new executive chair might have grown, creating a difficult work dynamic for the rest of the front office. By leaving, Falvey ensures that won't happen, and other executives who are on the same page as Tom will run the baseball and business operations departments, and the rest of the front office will be working for leaders who are on the same page, which is better for everyone involved.
Tom Pohlad is seeking new leaders for the baseball and business operations departments. But for now, general manager Jeremy Zoll is running baseball operations, and Pohlad is temporarily running the business side.
Whoever Pohlad hires to lead the departments, he'll want to ensure they are on the same page as him. Falvey had been operating under the leadership of Tom's younger brother Joe, and Tom wants to take the team in a different direction. Mutually parting ways made sense for both sides. It was just the timing of the announcement that was shocking.