Each candidate managed a simulated game, too.
“Give them a bullpen card, usage and here’s what [each reliever] did last week,” Falvey said. “It was less about did we win or lose the game. It was much more about how did you think about using the bullpen.”
Torii Hunter, a Twins Hall of Famer, expressed interest in the opening, but he never received a formal interview. He was a candidate for the Los Angeles Angels opening. (The Angels hired former Twins All-Star catcher Kurt Suzuki on a one-year contract.)
With the Twins in a stage of rebuilding, the front office prioritized candidates with big-league coaching experience.
“Having some experience coaching, managing, being in the dugout is really important,” Falvey said. “That says nothing of a number of players who have played, stepped off and ultimately want to manage. That’s not a question in my mind, some guys can do that. For us, in thinking about the challenges and growing young players, someone who has some experience with player development, being on a staff, being around it, I think it has a real benefit.”
Shelton, Rowson and Servais were the finalists who advanced to in-person interviews. The trio had daylong interviews at Target Field, where there were chats with former team President Dave St. Peter, Chief Financial Officer Kip Elliott and Chief Revenue Officer Sean Moore.