Credit: David Berding-Imagn Images
The Minnesota Twins continue to work through their process when it comes to finding a replacement for fired manager Rocco Baldelli. Scott Servais was the latest name added to the list on Monday.
So far Derek Falvey has yet to schedule a second-round interview, but the club continues to push forward with candidates. One that had no interest in working for the team was none other than Torii Hunter.
Torii Hunter rebuffs Minnesota Twins interest
It was assumed that former Twins legend Torii Hunter could be a candidate to manage the team. He was interviewed by the Los Angeles Angels, but ultimately passed over for Kurt Suzuki. Instead of being a candidate though, Skor North’s Declan Goff reports that Hunter declined any interest from Minnesota.
“I can confirm that Torii Hunter did have a conversation with Twins brass about the position, about preliminary conversation about being the manager of the Minnesota Twins. Essentially Torii Hunter told the Twins that he wasn’t interested in managing the team.”
Goff isn’t sure when the conversation definitively took place, but that it likely happened before the Angels gave the job to Suzuki. Beyond that though, Minnesota went to Hunter in their process, and he has intimate knowledge of the team, franchise, inning workings, everything, and he looked at that and said no thanks.
Torii Hunter spends plenty of time in California now, and wasn’t interested in uprooting his family. He also has a presence in Texas and works out with Royce Lewis during the offseasons.
Realistically though, Hunter has conveyed at multiple points that he would like to get into managing. He was a candidate for the Angels role and wanted that job. Minnesota came to him with interest, and enough about the situation was off-putting that he put his own desires aside.
From more than one source I have been told that candidates have expressed interest in the roster and front office, believing that Derek Falvey can make things work. However, ownership being a “mess” has been a difficult hurdle to overcome.
The 50-year-old Hunter spent 12 of his 19 years in the major leagues with the Twins. He also played five seasons with the Los Angeles Angels. It remains to be seen if he’ll continue to operate as a special assistant within the Angels organization.
Mentioned in this article: Torii Hunter
More About: Minnesota Twins
Add MinnesotaSportsFan as a preferred source on Google.