Twins coaching changes could happen this offseason

After two consecutive seasons of more than 90 losses, a coaching change may be imminent for the Minnesota Twins, writes John Shipley of the Pioneer Press.

Ron Gardenhire has been the manager of the Minnesota Twins since 2002 and has succeeded with the organization, making the playoffs six times in his 11-year tenure. However, the recent struggles of the Twins have placed the former AL Manager of the Year firmly on the hot seat. The Twins are the face of continuity in baseball, having only two managers since 1986, but general manager Terry Ryan has not promised Gardenhire will be back in 2013.

"We have decisions to make on every part of our organization," Ryan said before the Twins' final home game of the season Sunday, Sept. 30, against the Detroit Tigers. "I have decisions to make; Gardy and I. People who are involved in his club have decisions to make on a lot of things, and we will."

Gardenhire has stated that he would like to return to the team next season and doesn't believe that a major shakeup is necessary to get the Twins back on track. Nonetheless, he is aware his removal as manager is a distinct possibility.

"But some of these things aren't going to be left up to me; it's going to be left to ownership and Terry. If he thinks change is needed, he's going to talk to the owners and we'll go from there. We'll see how everything pans out at the end here..."

Gardenhire is 932-846 during his tenure as manager of the Minnesota Twins. He is on contract through the 2013 season.