MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Twins are making significant changes as they prepare for the upcoming season, including the departure of their entire hitting department.

Following a disappointing finish to the season that saw the team fall out of playoff contention, the Twins have announced on Wednesday that they will be searching for four new coaches, including prominent hitting coaches David Popkins and Rudy Hernandez, as well as assistant hitting coaches Derek Shomon and longtime infield coach Tony Diaz.

The decision to part ways with Popkins and Shomon was initially reported by The Athletic last Tuesday.

Popkins, who took over as hitting coach in November 2021, saw the team's performance decline sharply in the second half of the season. Under his guidance, the Twins were once among the league’s top offenses, but they struggled so severely down the stretch that they finished with a .228 batting average over their final 39 games, averaging only 3.6 runs per game.

Hernandez has been with the Twins for an impressive 29 years, serving various roles within both the major and minor league teams.

Known for his long tenure and experience, he was promoted to assistant hitting coach from 2015 to 2019 before returning to his role in 2020. He has been instrumental in developing players over the decades.

Meanwhile, Tony Diaz, who joined as the third-base coach after the 2018 season, is also part of the coaching shakeup.

He focused on the infielders during his time with the team, but the Twins are now looking to bring in fresh perspectives.

There’s speculation surrounding Derek Shomon, who has one year left on his contract, as he might be reassigned within the organization rather than released altogether.

Shomon's journey to the major leagues involved coaching in the minors for several years prior to this season's promotion.

At one point this season, the Twins appeared destined for the playoffs.

On August 17, they held a strong 70-53 record with a 92.4% probability of clinching a postseason berth. However, their dramatic decline in performance saw them crumble under pressure and miss out entirely.

Despite finishing 10th in runs scored this season, the team's second-half struggles were telling.

Star shortstop Carlos Correa praised Popkins for his influence on his game, emphasizing the importance of a tailored approach to hitting. “Pop has been a huge help for me, and I’m grateful that I came to this organization and he was my hitting coach,” Correa said, reflecting on the coach's impact.

With these significant changes, Twins management is now tasked with rebuilding the coaching staff to not only retain star players but also revive a faltering offense.

Can they turn around the team’s fortunes? Fans will be eagerly watching as the offseason unfolds.

What’s next for the Twins?

Who will fill these pivotal roles in their coaching staff? As the organizational overhaul begins, the clock is ticking for the Twins to find the right coaches to lead them back to contention in 2024!