MINNEAPOLIS — Derek Falvey began his remarks on Sunday with an emotional 3 1/2-minute statement before he and owner Joe Pohlad discussed the future of the Minnesota Twins. The president of baseball operations for a team that appeared poised for a postseason run for much of the season became visibly emotional while reflecting on a disappointing six weeks.
Falvey shared that the team won just 12 of its last 39 games, leading to their failure to secure a second consecutive playoff appearance. He later confirmed that manager Rocco Baldelli would return in 2025. Additionally, a team source disclosed that no further cuts to the payroll are anticipated following the $30 million reduction from this year’s budget. However, Falvey first took responsibility for the late-season downturn. Struggling to maintain his composure during the media session, he paused for 39 seconds to gather himself before continuing.
“In the past five to six weeks, I have never felt such frustration, anger, disappointment, and embarrassment as I do now,” Falvey stated. “Experiencing what we just went through and leaving everyone disappointed weighs heavily on me. I accept full responsibility for it. This has been the toughest period of my professional life because I believe this team is capable of much more. We have let our fans down. We have let ourselves down. … We must do better. There’s no other way to articulate it. We will do better, and the team moving forward will be stronger than this. That’s the message I’m conveying to the players, the staff, and everyone affiliated with this team. This level of performance is unacceptable.”
Falvey, like Baldelli, will not be scapegoated for the team’s decline. After calling the last six weeks of the season a “train wreck,” Pohlad affirmed that Falvey would continue in his role leading baseball operations. He and Baldelli will work together to determine the best path forward following the disappointing finish.
“He’s working incredibly hard,” Pohlad noted about Falvey. “He’s the right person for this role.”
Falvey refrained from addressing inquiries about personnel matters, including a question concerning the general manager, Thad Levine.
While Pohlad did not respond to questions related to the team’s broadcasting arrangements or payroll for 2025, a team source later confirmed that there are no intentions to further decrease the payroll, which is currently around $130 million.
The television broadcast home for the upcoming season has yet to be determined, while the Twins are close to renewing their radio agreement with 830 AM-WCCO.
Despite a $30 million reduction in payroll, Falvey and Pohlad believe the Twins have sufficient resources to make a playoff run. Falvey did caution that additional funds could always be beneficial. However, Pohlad defended the decision to cut costs as a necessary long-term strategy to ensure the organization’s sustainability.
Although the Twins would not have re-signed free agent Sonny Gray, who received a $75 million contract last offseason, extra funds could have allowed them to secure another starting pitcher. Consequently, the Twins entered spring training with a precarious starting rotation that included an injury-prone pitcher (Anthony DeSclafani) and another coming off his second Tommy John surgery (Chris Paddack), supported by inexperienced alternatives.
“Everyone bears some responsibility, and I played a part in that,” Pohlad stated. “This payroll decision has been heavily discussed, and while reflecting on my role, we were at a record high in payroll last year, right? Fans were fully supportive. Players were all in. We were on a positive trajectory, but I had to make a very tough business decision. That’s simply the reality of my responsibilities. I have a business to manage, which involves difficult choices, and that’s what I had to do. I wouldn’t choose differently because of the situation we were in.”
The choice to reduce payroll was just the first of several actions that frustrated fans who should have felt elated after the team finally broke its long postseason victory drought last October.
Whether it was the payroll cut, the removal of longtime play-by-play announcer Dick Bremer, a three-month cable blackout affecting local broadcasts, Pohlad’s comments in a spring interview about “right-sizing” payroll, the slow offseason, or the absence of a direct-to-consumer streaming option, the 2024 Twins struggled to connect with their fan base.
With 26,041 fans attending Sunday’s season finale against the Baltimore Orioles, the Twins attracted 1.95 million spectators throughout the season, approximately 23,000 fewer than in 2023 and nearly 300,000 below their January estimates. These numbers are striking, as most teams coming off a postseason success typically expect an increase in attendance, especially since this team was in playoff contention until the last two days of the season.
The Twins now face the challenge of regaining the loyalty of their fans while also addressing the issues they’ve created on the field. Falvey emphasized that Baldelli, who is set to begin his seventh season as the team’s manager, is the key figure in determining the path forward.
“Rocco and I, throughout this period, do a decent job most days—or at least I strive to—maintaining consistency in our operations. However, behind the scenes, we’ve faced significant challenges while trying to determine how to rectify the situation. This has resulted in sleepless nights and difficult discussions between us that remain private but have often required us to dive deep into solutions. I have faith in his process, trust in him, and believe in our partnership. That’s my perspective, and ultimately, it guides our way forward,” Falvey remarked.
Questions about Baldelli’s future began to emerge as the Twins experienced a downturn during the last six weeks of the season, transitioning from a promising playoff candidate to trailing behind the Kansas City Royals and Detroit Tigers. After achieving a season-best of 17 games above .500 on August 17, the Twins concluded their season at 82-80 following a 6-2 defeat to Baltimore on Sunday.
Carlos Santana rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run in the Twins’ season-ending loss. (Matt Krohn / Imagn Images)
Baldelli holds a career record of 457-413, translating to a .525 winning percentage. During his six seasons, the Twins have secured the American League Central title three times, although they have also faced significant collapses in both this season and in 2022.
The first task for Baldelli and Falvey is to evaluate potential changes within the coaching staff. They are anticipated to spend the next couple of days reviewing coaching positions.
“I truly appreciate that vote of confidence,” Baldelli remarked. “It means a great deal to me. My aim is to make the organization, our owners, and our fans proud. I want to excel in my role and bring honor to this region and to the people who care about this organization. My goal is to deliver joy to our fan base. Each of us has personal motivations for our work; we are passionate about it and love what we do. However, baseball is fundamentally about uniting people and aligning a fan base toward a common purpose. I aspire to return to that. That’s what I wish for this team. We have plenty of challenges ahead of us, but I’m ready to tackle them.”
(Top photo of Rocco Baldelli: Adam Bettcher / Getty Images)
Emotional Accountability: Derek Falvey Reflects on Twins’ Late-Season Collapse and Plans for 2025
The Backdrop: A Season of Promise
The 2023 season started with high hopes for the Minnesota Twins. With a talented roster and a solid coaching staff, fans expected the team to make a deep playoff run. However, as the season progressed, the Twins faced an unexpected late-season collapse, prompting Derek Falvey, the team’s Chief Baseball Officer, to take stock of the situation. This reflection is not just about losses but about emotional accountability and setting a roadmap for future success in 2025.
Understanding Emotional Accountability in Sports
Emotional accountability is a concept that revolves around players and management taking responsibility for their actions and the impact of those actions on team performance. In the case of the Twins, Falvey emphasized this principle during a recent press conference:
- Ownership of Performance: Players must recognize their individual contributions to the team’s success or failure.
- Team Dynamics: The chemistry between players and coaching staff can significantly influence outcomes.
- Resilience: Learning from setbacks is crucial for future growth and success.
Derek Falvey’s Insights on the Late-Season Collapse
Derek Falvey candidly addressed the late-season struggles the Twins faced. Key points from his reflection include:
1. Acknowledgment of Shortcomings
Falvey emphasized the importance of acknowledging the factors that led to the collapse:
- Injuries to key players such as Byron Buxton and Jorge Polanco greatly affected team performance.
- Inconsistent pitching that failed to deliver in crucial moments.
- Defensive lapses that cost the team valuable games.
2. The Mental Game
Emotional accountability also extends to the mental resilience of players. Falvey pointed out the need for stronger mental fortitude:
- Players must develop coping mechanisms for dealing with pressure.
- Enhancing focus during high-stakes situations can improve performance.
Looking Ahead to 2025: A Strategic Plan
Building a Stronger Roster
As Falvey looks to 2025, he envisions a stronger roster that can withstand the rigors of a demanding season. Key strategies include:
- Investing in Player Development: Focusing on nurturing young talent through the farm system.
- Targeting Key Free Agents: Identifying players who can fill gaps in the roster, especially in pitching.
- Strengthening the Bench: Ensuring depth in the lineup to cope with injuries.
Fostering a Winning Culture
Creating a culture of emotional accountability is vital for long-term success. Falvey plans to implement:
- Regular Check-Ins: Setting up routine meetings to assess player well-being and team dynamics.
- Workshops on Mental Resilience: Bringing in sports psychologists to help players develop mental toughness.
- Transparency and Communication: Encouraging open dialogue between players and management.
Case Studies: Teams that Embraced Emotional Accountability
Several MLB teams have successfully implemented the principles of emotional accountability, serving as benchmarks for the Twins. Here are a few notable examples:
| Team | Strategies Implemented | Outcomes |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago Cubs | Team workshops on communication and resilience. | Successful World Series run in 2016. |
| Los Angeles Dodgers | Focus on player mental health and consistent performance reviews. | Multiple playoff appearances and a championship in 2020. |
| Tampa Bay Rays | Strong emphasis on analytical performance metrics and team cohesion. | Consistent playoff contenders with a focus on player development. |
Benefits of Emotional Accountability
Implementing emotional accountability can yield significant benefits for the Minnesota Twins:
- Improved Player Performance: Players who take ownership of their actions are likely to perform better.
- Enhanced Team Cohesion: A culture of accountability fosters trust and collaboration among team members.
- Long-Term Success: Teams that embrace accountability are often more resilient and better equipped to handle adversity.
Practical Tips for Players and Management
To foster emotional accountability within the team, both players and management can adopt the following practices:
- Hold Regular Team Meetings: Discuss performance, goals, and emotional well-being.
- Encourage Peer Feedback: Create a culture where teammates can constructively criticize and support one another.
- Invest in Mental Health Resources: Provide access to sports psychologists and mental health professionals.
- Celebrate Wins and Learn from Losses: Recognizing achievements and analyzing failures can promote growth.
First-Hand Experience: Listening to the Players
In recent interviews, several Twins players shared their thoughts on emotional accountability:
- Max Kepler: “Understanding how we impact each other emotionally can change the dynamic of our team for the better.”
- Sonny Gray: “We need to be honest with ourselves about our performances and support one another through the ups and downs.”
- Luis Arraez: “Taking responsibility for our actions helps us grow as players and as a team.”
Conclusion
Derek Falvey’s reflections on the Twins’ late-season collapse highlight the importance of emotional accountability in sports. By embracing this concept, the Minnesota Twins can build a stronger, more resilient team, poised for success in the 2025 season and beyond.
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