MINNEAPOLIS -- In a surprise move, the Twins will have a new manager in 2019, as Hall of Famer Paul Molitor has been offered a new role in the organization, a source confirmed to MLB.com on Tuesday. The Twins will host a press conference at Target Field on Tuesday to make the announcement official.Molitor, the American League Manager of the Year in 2017, oversaw a disappointing season with the Twins out of contention by early July and serving as sellers at the Trade Deadline. Minnesota finished with a 78-84 record and failed to build on its surprise run to the AL Wild Card Game in '17.
Molitor, 62, ends his managerial career with the Twins with a 305-343 record in four years at the helm with the Twins. He finished third in the balloting for AL Manager of the Year in his first season in '15, when the Twins went 83-79 but finished with 103 losses in '16. After the '17 season, Molitor signed a three-year extension to remain manager, which is why this move was unexpected.But it allows chief baseball officer Derek Falvey and general manager Thad Levine to choose their own manager, as they inherited Molitor when taking over before last season. They're likely to hire a manager well-versed in analytics.Molitor, a St. Paul native, finished his Hall of Fame playing career with the Twins from 1996-98. He's served in a variety of roles for the club, including as bench coach and as a roving Minor League instructor.It's unclear how many coaches the Twins will retain next season.
Rhett Bollinger/ MLB.com
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