Former Seattle manager Scott Servais is a candidate to interview for Minnesota’s vacancy, reports La Velle E. Neal III of the Minnesota Star Tribune. Servais will join an extensive list that includes Vance Wilson, Nick Punto, Derek Shelton, James Rowson and Ramón Vázquez in the Twins’ quest to replace Rocco Baldelli.
Servais is the most seasoned managerial option to enter the mix for Minnesota. He spent eight full seasons as the Mariners’ skipper, beginning in 2016. Servais led the club to the postseason in 2022, its first appearance in more than two decades. He was dismissed in August of the 2024 campaign with the team sitting at an underwhelming 64-64. Servais worked as a special assistant for San Diego this past season.
Seattle’s recent division-winning performance under manager Dan Wilson has overshadowed the tenure of Servais, who was at the helm for the team’s return to relevance. The Mariners had finished below .500 in five of six seasons before Servais came to town. He won 86 games in his debut, good for second in the AL West. The team hadn’t finished higher than third in the division since 2007. Seattle won 90 games in both 2021 and 2022, though that wasn’t enough to challenge Houston for the division crown. The Mariners dispatched Toronto in the Wild Card round in Servais’ lone postseason appearance. The Astros swept them in the ALDS.
Shelton managed the Pirates from 2020 to 2025. He’s the only other candidate with managing experience at the MLB level. Wilson has been Kansas City’s third base coach for the past six seasons. He recently interviewed for San Francisco’s managerial opening. Rowson has been the hitting coach for the Yankees since 2024. Vasquez was one of the first names to appear in Minnesota’s search. He’s served as a bench coach for Boston since 2023.
Baldelli was relieved of his duties after winning just 70 games in 2025. He had been the skipper since 2019. Baldelli has recently expressed interest in managing again, and he’s popped up as a potential target for the Angels.