By Dave Campbell

AP Sports Writer

MINNEAPOLIS — Since assuming control of the Minnesota Twins, Tom Pohlad has taken a bold and decisive approach to reinvigorating the family-run franchise.

Deep conversations with his top executive produced another startling move, when the Twins and president of baseball and business operations Derek Falvey announced on Friday they have mutually decided to part ways.

“We just came to the conclusion, collectively, that the needs of the organization are evolving,” Pohlad said. “The vision is probably a little bit different than what it was before. The landscape is different, and it’s best for both of us if we make a change, and best for the Minnesota Twins.”

Long one of the most stable franchises in the major leagues, the Twins have now explored a sale, added new investors, changed executive chairs in a reorganization of the front office, changed managers and had their baseball chief depart all in a span of about 15 months. The Twins also traded 10 players off the major league roster in the week leading up to the deadline last summer.

The timing of Falvey’s departure was unusual, with spring training less than two weeks away. Last week, he emceed a kickoff media luncheon ahead of the team’s annual fan festival at Target Field. This was not an exit that anyone outside of the club’s inner circle saw coming.

But Pohlad took over as executive chair just last month, having previously been immersed in the family’s other businesses without ever having a formal role with the baseball team. Falvey, 42, was first hired to run the baseball department in October 2016 under Pohlad’s uncle. He was elevated a year ago to oversee the business side as well by Pohlad’s younger brother.

Falvey’s relationship with this Pohlad had to start from the ground level, and their differing styles became apparent to both of them. Falvey acknowledged he’s more process-oriented and consensus-driven in his leadership.

“Sometimes it’s just a feel that you get where both sides kind of sit there and say, ‘OK, is this the right match for what we need going forward?’ And if you get to a place where you don’t think it’s that, perfectly, you have to have really honest conversations and dialogue about it,” Falvey said. “We did, and ultimately it led to this point. I know it’s surprising and jarring in some ways, and I want to help smooth that for everybody here because I care so much about the people here. I believe in this team. I believe in the organization that’s still inside this building.”

The Twins made the postseason four times during Falvey’s nine-year tenure, but since the last of Falvey’s three division titles in 2023 the organization has been through a rocky time on and off the field. The Twins went 70-92 in 2025, as attendance at the ballpark and morale within the fan base further plummeted.