Royals May Lose Longtime Coach Vance Wilson to Division Rival Twins
Could Kansas City’s division foe deliver a major blow?
As the Kansas City Royals prepare to move on from a disappointing 2025 season and aim for a playoff return next year, they may be on the verge of losing a key figure from their coaching ranks. Vance Wilson, the team’s third-base coach and a 15-year veteran within the organization, is reportedly gaining attention for a managerial role.
Wilson, 52, who spent eight years in the majors as a catcher for the Mets and Tigers, joined the Royals after retiring as a minor leaguer in their system. Over the years, he’s held multiple roles across various levels in the organization.
Wilson Considered for Twins’ Managerial Vacancy
According to La Velle E. Neal III of the Minnesota Star Tribune, Wilson is now in the running to become the Minnesota Twins’ next manager. The Twins recently parted ways with Rocco Baldelli following a disappointing campaign that included selling off assets at the trade deadline, just two years after making the playoffs.
“Add Vance Wilson and Scott Servais to the list of managerial candidates,” Neal reported, noting the Twins are casting a wide net in their search. Wilson has also interviewed with the San Francisco Giants for their managerial opening.
The Twins are reportedly also eyeing several other candidates, including James Rowson, Ramón Vázquez, Derek Shelton, and former player Nick Punto.
Since joining the Royals’ major league staff, Wilson has served as third-base coach since 2020. Prior to that, he was bullpen coach (2018–2019), Double-A Northwest Arkansas manager (2013–2017), High-A Wilmington manager (2012), and Low-A Kane County manager (2011).
While the AL Central is often considered one of MLB’s weaker divisions, it still consistently sends teams to the postseason—and the battle for dominance is always significant. Losing Wilson to a rival, especially one likely entering a rebuild like the Twins, could sting. Although the Royals would support Wilson landing a managerial role, they’d likely prefer he not take over with a divisional competitor.
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