UPDATE: It’s official -- the Twins have named Rocco Baldelli their new manager. A press conference is scheduled for 4PM this afternoon. Baldelli, 37, will be the youngest manager in baseball.
7:51 AM: Jon Heyman reports that the Twins will name Rocco Baldelli their new manager. This follows a report from the Minneapolis Star-Tribune late last night which suggested that the Twins were leaning in that direction.
Baldelli, 37, has emerged as a hot managerial prospect in recent weeks. In addition to the Twins, he also interviewed for the Blue Jays and Rangers vacancies. At present Baldelli is the Tampa Bay Rays Major League Field Coordinator and spent the previous three seasons as their first base coach. He, of course, is known for his eight-year big league career, mostly with the Rays.
Baldelli would replace Paul Molitor, last year’s Manager of the Year, who was dismissed after the Twins finished with a 78–84 record, coming in 13 games behind the Cleveland Indians.