Minnesota Twins GM Thad Levine leaving organization
MINNEAPOLIS — After a disappointing season, the Minnesota Twins and general manager Thad Levine are parting ways, the team announced Friday.
Levine, who was also the club's senior vice president, will "pursue new challenges and opportunities, both inside and outside of baseball," the team said.
"The time is right for me to pursue my next enriching, professional challenge," Levine said. "I will forever cherish the friendships that I have made in the Minnesota Twins organization and throughout Twins Territory."
Levine joined the Twins in 2016, replacing longtime GM Terry Ryan.
"Thad's impact on the Minnesota Twins cannot be overstated," President of baseball operations Derek Falvey said. "Thad helped create a strong team culture, one focused on excellence and collaboration, that will continue well into the future. While we will miss his leadership, we are equally excited to see the next chapter of his journey unfold, and we wish him nothing but success in his future endeavors."
A year after their first playoff series win in two decades, the Twins finished barely above .500 and missed the postseason. The underwhelming year followed major payroll cuts in the offseason.
Falvey was hired a month before Levine. During their shared tenure, the Twins won the AL Central three times and made the postseason four times, including last year's long-awaited advancement to the AL Division Series. The team also signed Byron Buxton to a megadeal and landed star shortstop Carlos Correa in free agency under Levine.
The Twins did not share any plans for the GM position at this time. Falvey said manager Rocco Baldelli will return next season. The team did fire its entire hitting staff.