After losing 92 games in 2025 and missing the playoffs for the fourth time in five seasons, the Minnesota Twins decided it was time to move on from Rocco Baldelli. Despite overseeing the snapping of a postseason drought and the temptation to direct blame for a roster gutted by midseason trades to the front office, Baldelli’s dismissal wasn’t exactly shocking. The Twins had lost their identity, and perhaps their spark, over the past few years.
Now, a familiar name has surfaced as a potential candidate to bring that spark back. According to The Athletic’s Brittany Ghiroli, former Twins All-Star Torii Hunter “could be in the mix” for Minnesota’s managerial opening. Hunter, currently a special assistant with the Los Angeles Angels, held a similar role with the Twins from 2019 to 2023 and has recently expressed his interest in managing at the big-league level.
“If the opportunity presents itself, I think that’s something I would definitely look into, a hard consideration,” Hunter told the Orange County Register in August.
While Hunter is also being connected to the Angels’ vacancy, his long history in Minnesota (where he played 12 of his 19 major-league seasons) makes him a natural fit to return to the franchise where his career began. The Angels also appear to be closing in on hiring Albert Pujols instead.
Built-in Patience from the Fans
The Twins probably won’t be very good in 2026. After trading away several veterans and retooling the roster around younger talent, the team appears headed for another transitional year. Typically, that’s when fans start to sour on a new manager before he even gets a chance to build something.
But Hunter’s relationship with Minnesota is different. Fans adored him during his playing days, through the Gold Glove catches, the clubhouse dance parties, and the ever-present smile. He’s the kind of personality who could buy the front office time to get the roster right. His reputation as a leader and entertainer would immediately give him more leeway than most first-year managers.
From an ownership perspective, hiring Hunter would also be a marketing win. The Twins are coming off one of their lowest-attendance seasons in a decade, and bringing back a beloved franchise icon could generate goodwill and excitement during a difficult stretch. A Torii Hunter press conference at Target Field would sell tickets, jerseys, and nostalgia—three things this organization could use right now.
A Proven Voice During Tough Times
Hunter’s career mirrors the type of challenge facing the Twins today. When he debuted in the late 1990s, Minnesota was one of baseball’s laughingstocks. Attendance was plummeting, payroll was slashed, and contraction rumors loomed over the franchise.
But Hunter and a young core that included Corey Koskie, Doug Mientkiewicz, and Jacque Jones changed everything. His fearless defense and infectious energy became symbolic of the early 2000s Twins’ resurgence. That leadership trait is exactly what Minnesota needs again: someone who can connect with young players, keep spirits high, and set a tone of accountability without losing the clubhouse.
If anyone understands how to steer the Twins through dark times and back into relevance, it’s Hunter. He’s done it before.
The Power of Connection
One underrated reason Hunter would thrive as a manager is his ability to connect with players across generations. As someone who played in both the old-school and modern analytics eras, Hunter understands both sides of today’s baseball culture.
He’s charismatic enough to inspire young stars like Brooks Lee and Luke Keaschall, yet respected enough to command a clubhouse filled with veterans. More importantly, Hunter is fluent in the modern player’s mindset. He’s coached, mentored, and worked alongside dozens of players in multiple organizations.
His ability to blend data-driven preparation with emotional intelligence could help bridge the gap between the front office and the players, something the Twins have quietly struggled with in recent years.
The Perfect Fit
The Twins have been at their best when the organization feels unified, and when the energy in the clubhouse matches the optimism in the stands. That connection has been missing.
Hunter represents a bridge between the past and the future, between the franchise’s proudest moments and its next chapter. He’s not just a fan favorite; he’s a leader with deep roots in Minnesota’s baseball identity. Even former Twin Trevor Plouffe thinks Hunter would be a prime candidate.
If the Twins truly want to recapture their spark and rebuild the right way, there may be no better choice than the man who helped save the franchise once before. Hunter could be the perfect person to do it again.
Is Hunter the perfect fit for the Twins managerial opening? Leave a comment and start the discussion.