Derek Shelton Explains How Managers Handle Tough October Decisions

Derek Shelton's first season as manager of the Minnesota Twins ended in late September, but he has stayed close to October baseball by working on MLB Network Radio during the playoffs.

On Thursday he joined Baskin & Phelps on 92.3 The Fan in Cleveland before Game 3 of the American League Championship Series between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Cleveland Guardians, and he knows both clubs well after working as a hitting coach in each organization.

The hosts asked him how hard it is to change a playoff lineup when a top hitter is struggling, and Shelton called it extremely challenging.

He pointed to Guardians manager Stephen Vogt, who he said builds equity with his players so he can have tough conversations that put the whole roster, the staff and the organization ahead of any one player.

Shelton gave his own view in his interview with the Cleveland station, saying that at this time of the year a manager has to "take all your feelings out of it, and you're doing what you think is best for the team."

He put Cleveland pitcher Gavin Williams among the game's elite pitchers, and Williams got the win as the Guardians beat Tampa Bay 3-2 on Thursday to take a 2-1 series lead.

Rain pushed Game 4 off on Friday, so it is set for Saturday night in Cleveland.

Minnesota needs that mindset after finishing 77-85 and third in the American League Central.

The Twins let pitching coach Pete Maki go after the season and hired Brian Reith from the Rays' organization on Wednesday, and Reith wants to bring Tampa Bay's aggressive approach to a staff that allowed the sixth-most runs in baseball.

Shelton said a team with continuity and belief in its systems can fully commit to them.

I think that is the best lesson for Minnesota, because a club coming off a losing year needs one plan that the players and coaches all buy into.

He added that Twins players gravitate toward first base coach Grady Sizemore for his experience and knowledge, and Shelton has known Sizemore since his days as a young player in Cleveland.

Keeping feelings out of decisions will be tough for the Twins this offseason, starting with catcher Ryan Jeffers, who will be a free agent after spending his whole career in this organization.

General manager Jeremy Zoll said after the season that the club had not decided whether to give him a qualifying offer.

The club also has to figure out where first baseman Royce Lewis fits next season, while center fielder Byron Buxton is expected to be ready for the start of 2027 after right hip surgery.

Chairman Tom Pohlad has said he expects payroll to go up in 2027, and he wants a roster where making the playoffs is the expectation.

The front office has to sort out what comes next for starting pitcher Joe Ryan as well, so plenty of hard talks are coming before spring training.

After that interview, I trust Shelton to lead those talks, because he already knows a manager has to put the team first even when the choice hurts.