Amidst a July 2025 freefall, the Minnesota Twins back manager Rocco Baldelli with a 2026 option and vow not to sell. Can this vote of confidence turn the tide?
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
On a day the Minnesota Twins desperately need to snap a five-game losing streak, the biggest news wasn't about the upcoming series in Miami, but about the future in the dugout and the front office. Despite a disastrous stretch that has seen the team lose 14 of their last 17 games, reports surfaced that manager Rocco Baldelli's contract option for 2026 has been picked up. Coupled with a firm declaration from the team president that they won't be sellers, the organization is sending a defiant message: This ship is not sinking, and we're not changing captains.
We're not looking to sell. We're looking to get this group better and find a way to compete for a playoff spot.
While the club officially remained silent, citing team policy, The Athletic's report that Rocco Baldelli's 2026 option was exercised speaks volumes. To make such a move amidst one of the worst stretches of his tenure is a massive vote of confidence. This sentiment was echoed by President of Baseball Operations Derek Falvey, who flatly rejected the idea of waving the white flag ahead of the Trade Deadline. 'We're not looking to sell,' Falvey stated Monday. 'We're looking to get this group better.' For a fanbase reeling from loss after loss, this unified front from management is a clear signal that they believe the talent to win is already in-house.
The front office's faith stands in stark contrast to the team's on-field performance. The Twins enter Tuesday's series opener against the Marlins on a five-game skid, having just lost a heartbreaker 6-5 to Seattle. The slump has sent them tumbling to ninth in the AL Wild Card standings. The task of stopping the bleeding falls to starter Chris Paddack, who is looking for redemption himself after getting rocked for a five-run inning in his last start against those same Mariners. A strong outing from Paddack and a win in Miami are no longer just desirable; they feel essential to stopping this downward spiral.
While the big-league club struggles, a beacon of hope shone brightly from the farm system on Monday night. The Twins' No. 20 prospect put on a show at Double-A, hitting for the cycle and driving in a staggering six runs. It's a thrilling accomplishment and a potent reminder of the talent pipeline the organization is building. While it doesn't solve the immediate problems in Minnesota, performances like this fuel the front office's belief that the long-term future is bright and that impact players are on the way, reinforcing their decision to build up rather than tear down.
The front office has drawn its line in the sand, backing its manager and committing to the current core. Now, the pressure shifts squarely onto the players in the clubhouse. The message is clear: we believe in you. Starting tonight in Miami with Chris Paddack on the mound, it's time for the team to reward that faith and prove this brutal stretch is an aberration, not the new identity of the 2025 Minnesota Twins.
