MLB Rumors: Former Red Sox Outfielder Among Trio Of Managers Fired

Don’t let the door hit you on the way out. Former Boston Red Sox outfielder and Rhode Island native Rocco Baldelli was among three MLB managers who lost their jobs on Monday.

The Minnesota Twins announced Baldelli would not return in 2026 following seven seasons in Minneapolis. Baldelli led the Twins to a pair of American League Central Division titles and three playoff appearances, but never made it past the AL Division Series.

“This is a difficult day because of what Rocco represents to so many people here,” Twins president Derek Falvey said in a statement, per ESPN. “He led with honesty, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to our players and staff. He gave himself fully to this role and I have tremendous respect and gratitude for the way he carried himself and the way he showed up every single day.”

The Twins are coming off back-to-back fourth-place finishes which put Baldelli on the hot seat. The 44-year-old played in Boston in 2009, hitting .253 with seven home runs and 23 RBIs in 62 games.

Joining Baldelli in the unemployment line is Bob Melvin. The San Francisco Giants fired their skipper Monday despite picking up his 2026 option earlier this year.

Melvin, 63, managed the Giants for two seasons, winning 80 games in 2024 and 81 games in 2025. A 2-9 stretch in September took San Francisco out of playoff contention and put Melvin on the hot seat.

“After careful evaluation, we determined that making a change in leadership was in the best interest of the team,” said Buster Posey, the Giants’ president of baseball operations, according to ESPN. “The last couple of months have been both disappointing and frustrating for all of us, and we did not perform up to our standards. We now turn our focus to identifying a new leader to guide us forward.”

It’s possible the Giants won’t be searching very long for a manager because the Texas Rangers parted ways with Bruce Bochy Monday.

Bochy, the wins leader among active managers (and sixth all-time), led the Giants to three World Series titles (2010, 2012, 2014) with Posey as the team’s catcher. So it’s possible Posey goes back to the future with the future Hall-of-Fame skipper.

Bochy 70, managed the Rangers for three seasons. In 2023, he led the club to its first World Series title in franchise history.

“Bruce Bochy is one of the greatest managers in baseball history, and he will forever hold a place in the hearts of Ranger fans after bringing home the first World Series title in franchise history in 2023,” said Chris Young, then their general manager and now the Rangers’ president of baseball operations, according to ESPN. “Boch brought class and respect to our club in his return to the dugout, and we will always take pride in being part of his Hall of Fame career.”

On the plus side, the Pittsburgh Pirates extended the contract of manager Don Kelly Monday. He replaced Derek Shelton in the Pirates’ dugout in May.