Just a couple of weeks after the Twins ownership announced plans to explore selling the franchise, more changes at the top of the organization on Tuesday.
Longtime Twins President Dave St. Peter will be stepping down from his role according to multiple sources. The Twins will replace him with current President of Baseball Operations Derek Falvey, who moves from the on the field duties to a more overall position with the team as President, Baseball and Business Operations.
St. Peter talked with WCCO Radio's Chad Hartman Tuesday afternoon about making the decision to step away.
"I felt the calling Chad, to maybe do two things," St. Peter said. "One, try to maybe get some time back and reinvest some time in some relationships. And in some things that, frankly, I want to do and need to do and. And secondly, I feel as though there's more for me to do, more for me to impact perhaps in a different way."
St. Peter reflected fondly on his time at the helm, but expressed regret that postseason success eluded the team over the last 30-plus seasons.
"I don't know much more I can accomplish inside of the Twins, beyond ultimately pushing us towards a world championship," he said. "I've had my run at that and I got to the postseason ten times, and didn't have enough postseason success. I'll always regret that because we had great teams and great players, but I'm very much at peace with this and feel like it's the right thing, not just for me, but for my family."
Falvey was hired to lead the baseball side of the operations in October 2016 to succeed Terry Ryan. Falvey is well thought of inside the organization according to St. Peter who says he will bring a new vision to the club.
Falvey said he's fully aware new ownership could be coming and he sees that as an opportunity.
"I'm going to have a chance to talk to some of those potential buyers and new owners around what I think this organization looks like, if we get to a place where the sale transpires and it's a new owner," Falvey told WCCO. "They're going to have a lot of ideas and input around how we operate organizationally and I'll be open-minded to whatever those are. I have to be. I want to be. Because I want to do right by our people and our team and that's ultimately the goal."
“Derek Falvey, likewise, has demonstrated exceptional leadership in his first eight years with the Twins,” Twins Executive Chair Joe Pohlad says. “He has shown a unique ability to identify talent on and off the field, implement processes and enhance organizational strategy. I expect Derek to push our organization forward in new and exciting ways, while building on the core values that so many of us love about the Minnesota Twins.
Jeremy Zoll, who worked under Falvey, has been promoted to Senior Vice President, General Manager. Former general manager Thad Levine left the team earlier this summer to pursue opportunities outside of baseball.
"Really grateful for the trust that Derek and Dave and Joe and the Pohlad family are putting in me," explained Zolle. "And I'm just excited for this next step in my journey and try to impact the group as I, you know, have along the way. And continue to continue to do so here."
“Jeremy Zoll, who was brought to Minnesota by Derek seven years ago, has emerged as one of the brightest and most well-rounded player development minds in the game. He is highly deserving of the general manager role, and we are excited for the further impact Jeremy will have on our baseball operations.”
2024 marked St. Peter's 35th season with the Minnesota Twins where he had served as team president since November 2002 and CEO since December 2016. The team does confirm St. Peter will stay on with the franchise as a Strategic Advisor.
“Twins fans, players, staff and certainly our family are better for the 35 years that Dave St. Peter has brought his truly one-of-a-kind leadership to our team and community,” said Pohlad. “I have had the good fortune to work alongside Dave for the past 18 years and experience firsthand how he leads with integrity, compassion and an unmatched dedication to our organization and fans. I will always admire Dave’s commitment to do right by the Twins.
WCCO Radio's Vineeta Sawkar asked St. Peter early in October if he had any plans to step away in the near future.
"Well, I love working for the Minnesota twins and that's certainly my focus going forward," St. Peter explained. "I appreciate the spirit of the question but, you know, again I love doing what I'm doing."
St. Peter released a statement that says he is grateful to the Twins organization, and the Pohlad family, for his 35 years with the club.
"Since joining the Twins as an intern in 1990, I've always felt it was a privilege to work for this franchise and serve this fanbase," he said. "That sense of responsibility drives me every day in every way - just as it does for countless coworkers across the Twins organization."
St. Peter also said he is looking forward to his role helping the Pohlad family as they consider a potential sale, and a focus on "the best possible outcome for this franchise and our fans."