MINNEAPOLIS — A tumultuous offseason for the Minnesota Twins is continuing with news the ballclub's longtime president is stepping down.
Dave St. Peter, Twins President and CEO for 22 years, will leave his position and transition into an advisory role. St. Peter made the announcement to employees throughout the organization Tuesday morning.
St. Peter's departure will have a domino effect: Current Twins General Manager Derek Falvey will slide from his role supervising the on-field product to the business side of the organization, assuming the job of President-CEO. Assistant GM Jeremy Zoll, who was recently promoted following the departure of Thad Levine, will become General Manager of baseball operations.
All this is happening in the wake of October's announcement that the Pohlad family is exploring a possible sale of the franchise following a season of payroll cuts and growing fan dissatisfaction.
“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 Twins Executive Chairman Joe 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."
“Dave St. Peter is a very special person, friend and leader,” added controlling owner Jim Pohlad. “Our family and the Minnesota Twins would not be where we are today without Dave’s skill and lifelong commitment.”
St. Peter started with the Twins as an intern back in 1990 and made his way up the ranks, being named team president in 2002. In a letter to the team's fanbase, St. Peter said he initiated discussions with the Pohlad family over the past two years to develop a succession plan that would lead the club into a new era.
"While my personal Twins journey has been a dream come true, in recent years I have sensed a calling to explore new professional challenges and a growing desire to spend more time with the people I love the most," the outgoing St. Peter wrote.
"The Twins have been a central part of my life for longer than I remember, but I find myself at peace with the knowledge I ran the race as best I could. It’s simply time to hand the baton to someone else."
St. Peter explained in the months to come he will work closely with the Pohlads as they consider a potential sale of the team "and the best possible outcome for this franchise and the fans."
The Twins are holding an open house event Tuesday at 2 p.m. and will further discuss the team's leadership transition. KARE 11 will have the latest developments here on the website and broadcast.