Inside the Twins' Front Office Shake-Up: Why Derek Falvey’s Exit Signals a New Era in Minnesota
Just weeks before pitchers and catchers report, the Minnesota Twins are already making headlines-off the field. Derek Falvey, the architect of the club’s baseball operations since 2016, is out.
The team says it was a “mutual” parting of ways, but there’s clearly more beneath the surface. And while we may never get the full behind-the-scenes breakdown, there’s enough reporting-and enough reading between the lines-to get a solid sense of what went down.
A New Voice at the Top
The most telling clue came straight from Falvey himself. Speaking to reporters, he acknowledged that his vision didn’t quite align with the new leadership.
“[Former Twins executive chair] Joe [Pohlad] and I had a different plan and working dynamic,” Falvey said. “[New Twins executive chair] Tom [Pohlad] wants to run it a little differently.”
That’s not just corporate-speak. That’s a clear signal that the shift in ownership dynamics-from Joe Pohlad to his brother Tom-brought with it a fundamental change in how the Twins want to operate.
Falvey had been steering the ship under Joe’s leadership. Now, with Tom taking over, it seems the organization is setting its sights on a different course.
A Clash of Vision-and Possibly Frustration
There’s been speculation that Tom Pohlad may have wanted Falvey to step away from the business side and focus solely on baseball operations. If that’s true, and Falvey wasn’t on board with the change, it could’ve created a rift that wasn’t going to heal before Opening Day.
It’s also fair to wonder how much of Falvey’s departure was driven by frustration over budget constraints. After a 2023 season where the Twins finally broke their postseason drought-winning their first playoff series in over two decades-the team responded not by doubling down, but by tightening the purse strings.
Payroll cuts. A trade deadline that felt more like a clearance sale than a playoff push.
It’s hard to believe that was Falvey’s preferred plan of attack. For a baseball executive trying to build a contender, that kind of financial handcuffing can be a dealbreaker.
A Clean Slate for the Front Office
There may be a silver lining here-for both sides. According to reporting, one source close to the situation said Falvey’s exit allows the front office to “create [their] own history” with Tom Pohlad.
That’s a telling phrase. It suggests that while Falvey was a respected leader, his continued presence might’ve created friction in a new-look leadership team that’s trying to find its footing under a new executive chair.
By stepping away now, Falvey avoids becoming the guy caught in the middle of a philosophical tug-of-war. And the rest of the front office?
They get to move forward with a unified vision-aligned with Tom Pohlad’s direction. That kind of internal cohesion matters, especially in a sport where long-term planning and team culture are as important as any trade or free-agent signing.
What’s Next in Minnesota?
For now, general manager Jeremy Zoll is handling day-to-day baseball operations, while Tom Pohlad himself is overseeing the business side. That’s a temporary setup, but it underscores just how hands-on Pohlad plans to be during this transition.
Whoever is tapped to lead the baseball and business departments full-time, one thing is clear: Pohlad wants people who share his vision. Falvey was brought in under a different regime, and while he helped build a team that finally exorcised its postseason demons, the organization is clearly ready to turn the page.
The timing of the announcement-so close to spring training-caught everyone off guard. But the decision itself?
In hindsight, maybe it was inevitable. The Twins are entering a new era, and with Tom Pohlad at the helm, they’re looking for new voices to chart the course.
Whether that leads to contention or another rebuild remains to be seen. But one thing’s for sure: the Twins’ front office just got a lot more interesting heading into 2026.