Twins part ways with general manager Thad Levine

MINNEAPOLIS — General manager Thad Levine is leaving the Twins, the team announced Friday.

Levine and Derek Falvey were hired eight years ago, and appeared together at news conferences regularly, appearing to work hand-in-hand.

But in recent seasons, Levine has been less visible, and Falvey was promoted from chief baseball officer to president of baseball operations. Both had their contracts extended in 2019 to run through the 2024 season; Falvey, 41, announced last week that he will return to the team.

“If I was as needed today as when I was hired, then I didn’t do my job well. And I hope that I did do my job well,” Falvey said at a Friday news conference. “He’s at a very different stage in his leadership journey, and he probably need a slightly different type of partner for that next phase in his journey, and there’s no harm in that. … You want to be the pitcher who is taken out one inning too early than one batter too late.”

The Twins won three division titles with Levine, 52, as GM, and made the postseason four times. During his time in Minnesota, he was also in consideration for leadership jobs with other major league organizations, including the Mets, Phillies and Red Sox.

“I am incredibly thankful for the friendship that I’ve shared with Thad, the partnership that I’ve had along the way, and I’m excited for his opportunity … to make an impact wherever he decides to make an impact. Because he will,” Falvey said. “He’s been a tremendous partner and leader in the organization over the course of eight years, and has continued to impact me personally.”

Before joining the Twins, Levine worked for the Dodgers, Rockies and Rangers.