Twins' new manager Derek Shelton building relationships with veterans

Shelton's early communication efforts are playing well with Minnesota's veteran players

Feb. 24, 2026 at 6:09pm

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In his first spring training with the Minnesota Twins, new manager Derek Shelton has made a concerted effort to build strong relationships and communication with the team's veteran players. Shelton has held individual meetings with players, learned about their lives and motivations, and kept them informed on roster decisions. Players like Byron Buxton and Ryan Jeffers have praised Shelton's approach, saying it will help the team moving forward.

Why it matters

Effective communication and strong relationships between managers and veteran players are crucial for a team's success. Shelton's proactive approach to connecting with the Twins' veterans could help create a positive clubhouse culture and lead to better on-field performance.

The details

Since joining the Twins in November, Shelton has worked hard to forge connections with players, traveling to see some and calling others during the offseason. He has continued those efforts early in spring training, holding individual meetings with pitchers and players ahead of games to discuss their baseball futures as well as learn about their families, motivations and hobbies. Players like Buxton and Jeffers have praised Shelton's transparency and willingness to communicate.

  • Shelton first spent time with catcher Ryan Jeffers at Thanksgiving.
  • Hours before news of the Twins signing catcher Victor Caratini was reported, Shelton phoned Jeffers and gave him a chance to ask questions.

The players

Derek Shelton

The new manager of the Minnesota Twins, who was hired in October 2025. Shelton is focused on building strong relationships and communication with the team's veteran players.

Byron Buxton

An outfielder for the Minnesota Twins who has praised Shelton's approach to connecting with players.

Ryan Jeffers

A catcher for the Minnesota Twins who has appreciated Shelton's transparency and communication, especially around roster decisions.

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What they’re saying

“He tries to understand who you are, tries to come out and talk to you. He tries to engage himself and (when you do that as a coach), you start figuring out a little more about your players, you start figuring out more of what goes on in their life, situations, communication. The only way for you to know that, you've got to communicate with your players. I think he does a great job of that. It's something that will take us a little further than what we have in the past.”

— Byron Buxton, Outfielder

“The transparency, that's been there. It's better to be truthful and say something you don't like than to have questions floating up in the air.”

— Ryan Jeffers, Catcher

What’s next

The Twins will continue to monitor Liam Hendriks' progress as he returns from Tommy John surgery, with his next outing likely being either another live bullpen or a spring training game appearance.

The takeaway

Shelton's early efforts to build strong relationships and communication with the Twins' veteran players could pay dividends throughout the season, helping to create a positive clubhouse culture and potentially leading to better on-field performance from the team.