Royals Assistant GM J.J. Picollo a candidate for Twins job

The Minnesota Twins plan to interview Royals Assistant General Manager J.J. Picollo for their head General Manager position according to reporter Jon Heyman. Picollo is the second-known candidate for the job, joining Cubs Director of Player Development Jason McLeod. The Twins fired General Manager Terry Ryan back in July.

Heyman adds that it is not known if the Royals have given the Twins permission to interview Picollo, but that he expects them to, saying they have promoted him for a top job for years. Picollo interviewed for the Phillies General Manager job in 2015 before they hired Matt Klentak, and was up for the Astros job in 2011 before they hired Jeff Luhnow.

Picollo has been with the Royals since August of 2006, just two months after Dayton Moore began. Prior to that, he had worked in the Atlanta Braves organization with Dayton Moore since 1999. With the Royals, he began as Director of Player Development before being promoted to Assistant General Manager-Scouting & Player Development in 2008, then Assistant General Manager - Player Personnel in 2015.

The Minnesota Twins last made the playoffs in 2010, and have had just one winning season since then. They have lost 90+ games five times since then, including this year, where they have the worst record in baseball.