Twins make Baldelli youngest skipper
Seeking a fresh voice for their underachieving young players, the Minnesota Twins have made Rocco Baldelli the youngest manager in the major leagues.
The Twins hired the 37-yearold Baldelli on Thursday, bringing the former Tampa Bay player, assistant and coach to Minnesota for his first job as a manager. He replaces Paul Molitor, who was fired after four seasons with a 305-343 record. Baldelli will be the first major league manager born in the 1980s.
Baldelli spent the last four years on the staff of Rays manager Kevin Cash, the first three as first base coach. His role for 2018 was a newly created position called major league field coordinator, helping Cash and bench coach Charlie Montoyo with in-game strategy, working with the outfielders and focusing on the continued development of the team’s young players.
Those were the magic words in Baldelli’s bio for Twins chief baseball officer Derek Falvey and general manager Thad Levine. They were effusive with their praise of Molitor for his acumen, character and flexibility.
They announced it a little more than three weeks ago was a desire for deeper connections with millennial players in hopes of more productivity on the field. RAYS HIRE MONTOYO » Charlie Montoyo, a bench coach for the Tampa Bay Rays this season, was hired as manager of the Toronto Blue Jays. He succeeds John Gibbons, who was let go after the team finished 73-89.
The Blue Jays will officially introduce Montoyo during a news conference Monday at Rogers Centre. He has a threeyear contract with a club option for 2022. GOLDEN A’S INFIELD » All four A’s infielders were named American League Gold Glove award finalists.
Joining no-brainer finalists Matt Chapman at third base and Matt Olson at first base are second baseman Jed Lowrie and shortstop Marcus Semien.
Only two A’s players in the last 28 years have been recognized as Gold Glove winners, but there’s every reason to believe at least Chapman, and probably Olson, will be honored when the winners are announced on Sunday, Nov. 4.
The A’s haven’t had a Gold Glove winner since right fielder Josh Reddick took home the hardware in 2012.
The 25-year-old Chapman topped all players in baseball in defensive runs saved (29) and his SABR fielding index of 19.5 was far and away the best in the majors. SABR’s rating accounts for 25 percent of the overall selection total. Votes from managers and coaches makes up the other 75 percent.
It will be an upset if Chapman doesn’t join Eric Chavez (200106) as the only Oakland third baseman to win a Gold Glove. GIANTS DUO SEEKS MORE HARDWARE » Giants catcher Buster Posey and shortstop Brandon Crawford, both previous Gold Golve winners, are finalists for the National League.
Crawford is in pursuit of his fourth-straight Gold Glove award. Posey won in 2016.