Jim Pohlad Owner of Minnesota Twins Just Announced that Rocco Baldelli is no Longer
The Minnesota Twins owners have announced a change in leadership, a little more than a week after revealing new jerseys and branding.
Jim Pohlad, an owner and the club’s executive chair, said in a letter to Twins staff members on Monday that he is giving his nephew Joe Pohlad the executive chair title and day-to-day duties.
The Twins were purchased by Jim Pohlad’s father, Carl, in 1984, so the upcoming season will mark the family’s 40th season as owners. Jim has been the family’s public face as chairman, although his brothers Bill and Bob also have executive board positions with the team.
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Joe, who has been with the club for the past 15 years as the executive vice president of brand strategy and growth, will now take on the role of executive chairman and lead all aspects of the organization, with President and CEO Dave St. Peter and President of Baseball Operations Derek Falvey reporting directly to Joe. Jim says he will still be involved in team and league business.
Part of Jim’s letter reads, “As we look to the future, our family is highly confidence in Joe’s ability to take the franchise forward in important ways.”
The family is still “totally committed to owning the Twins for years to come,” he continued.
Fans will be closely following the Twins’ offseason actions after a poor season that saw them finish third in the American League Central Division and miss the playoffs. Carlos Correa, the brilliant shortstop, is a free agent and that is another consideration.
In an unexpected move, Correa joined the Twins prior to the start of the previous season and rapidly won over both team members and fans. Despite his expressed gratitude to the Twins and willingness to come back, he is expected to demand a long-term contract worth at least $30 million annually, and it is uncertain if the Twins are prepared to pay that much to keep him.
Now that the club’s governing structure has changed, there’s even more reason to scrutinize the team’s offseason spending.
About the news from Monday, the squad itself remained silent.
