Minnesota Twins’ ongoing managerial search continues

Next spring, for the first time since the early 2000s, the Minnesota Twins will begin a season with someone other than Ron Gardenhire at the helm.

The longtime Twins skipper, who led the team from 2002 to 2014, compiled a 1,068-1,039 (.507) record in his time as the manager, winning six American League Central division titles. However, as his tenure drew to a close, the team struggled, losing at least 90 games in each of his final four seasons, en route to a combined 265-383 mark, including a 70-92 mark this year. Despite repeated assurances that he would return in 2015, the 2010 American League Manager of the Year was relieved of his duties on Sept. 29, 2014.

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Now, with no clear-cut front-runner for the job, Minnesota GM Terry Ryan and his front office are undergoing an in-depth search to replace Gardenhire, and according to the Star-Tribune, Hall of Famer Paul Molitor, who spent last season as a member of Gardenhire’s coaching staff, recently met with the organization about the vacancy.

"It’s evidence of how quickly Ryan wants to move in his search to replace Ron Gardenhire, who was let go Monday after 13 seasons. Molitor is part of a coaching staff that is in limbo until a new manager is hired."

That being said, Molitor, who played 21 seasons in his Hall of Fame career, is by no means the team’s only candidate. According to the same report, Ryan will travel to Florida to interview several other candidates, which could potentially include Boston Red Sox bench coach Torey Lovullo and Chicago White Sox third base coach Joe McEwing – both of whom have been tied to other managerial openings in recent weeks, namely Arizona.

Another in-house candidate expected to be considered for the opening is former Minnesota first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz, who spent the past two seasons managing in the Twins’ system, leading the Class-A Ft. Myers Miracle to an 82-57 mark culminating in a Florida State League championship in 2014.

"“I would obviously listen,” Mientkiewicz told the Star-Tribune. “At the end of the day, I’m still a Twins employee, and we want the best man for the job. If Terry and [Twins owner] Jim Pohlad and everyone else who is involved thinks that I’m worthy of an interview, of course I would take it.”"

Other candidates for the Minnesota coaching staff mentioned in a Star-Tribune report in the immediate aftermath of Gardenhire’s departure included Jose Oquendo, Dave Martinez, current Oakland bench coach Chip Hale and Terry Steinbach.