Minnesota Twins May Add a Gardenhire to Their Coaching Staff

The Minnesota Twins 2024 season has been over for three weeks now. I know, it feels like three months, doesn’t it? In that short period of time, top decision makers have made some significant changes to the coaching staff, not to mention the exit of GM Thad Levine.

Out went hitting coaches David Popkins, Rudy Hernandez and bench coach Tony Diaz. So far, manager Rocco Baldelli and his right-hand man, Jayce Tingler, are looking for new help. Familiar face, Matt Borgschulte, has been hired as the team’s new hitting coach, already, but still have another hire or three left to make, before finishing out their 2025 coaching staff.

Toby Gardenhire could take a spot on Minnesota Twins coaching staff

Enter another name that will sound VERY familiar, Toby Gardenhire, son of former manager Ron Gardenhire, who previously managed the Twins for 13 years from 2002-2014, before he was relieved of his duties by Paul Molitor. Toby was a 41st round pick by the Minnesota Twins in 2005, and made it as far as Triple-A, as a player.

Most recently, Gardenhire has been the manager for the St. Paul Saints, meaning a move to the big leagues makes sense as the next step in his managing career. On Sunday, longtime local insider and former Minnesota Twins pitcher, Charley Walters, put it out there on paper.

In his bi-weekly column, Walters wrote that Gardenhire would seem like “a logical choice” to fill one of the coaching spots on the Minnesota bench. In code, that (probably) mean’s Charley is hearing this from someone inside the Twins organization.

“St. Paul Saints manager Toby Gardenhire would seem a logical choice to replace one of the four coaches the Twins recently fired.”

Charley Walters on Toby Gardenhire joining the Twins (Pioneer Press)

Any internal hires would also necessitate a backfilling of whatever their role is within the organization, which is why that is always the best way to reward every coach in the system, all the way down the minor league ladder. But does Derek Falvey want to reward those coaches? We’ll find out.

Twins would generate consistency in adding Gardenhire

If Toby Gardenhire is not the manager in St. Paul next season, it’d be the first time the Saints employ someone else in that spot since 2019. It’s clear that those inside the Twins front office respect Toby a lot. That’s why he has been given promotions and opportunities throughout his time as a manager.

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There was no minor league baseball during the 2020 season, due to the pandemic. So, Gardenhire didn’t technically take over as Saints manager until the 2021 season. He made the jump that summer, all the way from Single-A. That was also the first year the St. Paul Saints played as the Minnesota Twins triple-A affiliate.

This kid's got a cannon! 😉

Gardy threw out the first pitch to his son, @StPaulSaints manager Toby Gardenhire, to launch the @Twins home schedule. pic.twitter.com/RveHVbGeae

— FanDuel Sports Network North (@BallySportsNOR) April 8, 2021

Toby Gardenhire’s familiarity with most of the best young players on this roster is important here. He has worked with a lot of them since their days down at single A. Toby is known as a strong communicator, and he has a good rapport built up with Rocco Baldelli, too.

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Look for the Twins to make further designations regarding their coaching staff in the coming weeks. With the World Series starting on Friday, the offseason will be underway in earnest soon.