Minnesota Twins fire manager Paul Molitor
MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) - The Minnesota Twins announced Tuesday they have fired manager Paul Molitor.
Molitor, 62, signed a new three-year contract with the Twins at the end of last season, in which he was named the American League Manager of the Year after the Twins made the wild card playoff game.
The St. Paul native took over as the Twins manager in 2015. He lead the team to a record of 305-343 in four seasons.
"I will forever be grateful for the opportunity they gave me to serve in the role as manager for these past four years," Molitor said in a statement.
“When we made this decision, I can tell you this wasn’t just about wins and losses,” said Derek Falvey, Twins chief baseball officer. “Right now at this moment, it was about where our club is for the present and the future and I said that to Paul this morning, I’ll say it again: This wasn’t about our record this year. This is about what we think is best as we continue to grow a young team in the direction toward being a championship contender.”
“There were other aspects of that partnership where I think Derek felt maybe a change, a change of voice was maybe going to be important for us to continue," said Dave St. Peter, Twins president. "You know, maybe unlock the young talent across our organization and I think that’s probably the number one reason for that. It has nothing to do with Paul’s baseball acumen, nothing to do with our win-loss record. I think this is an eye toward the future.”
Former Twins first baseman Kent Hrbeck, who was participating in a season ticket holder event Tuesday, said the move surprised him.
“I think he did a heck of a job for the club that he had out there - going through all the different things that he went through this year with the guys on the team,” said former Twins first baseman Kent Hrbek. “Sorry to see him go. Always a great guy, a great person and I thought he was a great manager, great player – everybody knows that. I think it will be hard to replace him.”
Molitor has been offered a different position with the Twins in baseball operations, which he says he will consider.
The Twins will begin their search for a new manager immediately.
Statement from Paul Molitor