Front office changes are underway in Minnesota. Monday afternoon the Twins announced GM Terry Ryan has been relieved of his duties after 16 total years on the job. Assistant GM Rob Antony will take over GM responsibilities on an interim basis.

"The decision to part ways with Terry was difficult, painful and not obvious," said Twins owner and CEO Jim Pohlad in a statement. "We are extremely grateful and very thankful to Terry, his wife Karilyn and their family for being a part of the Minnesota Twins."

Ryan, now 62, was the Twins GM from 1995-2007, and again from 2012-16. He remained with the organization and served as a special advisor after stepping down in 2007. Ryan held that role until late 2011, when he resumed GM duties after Bill Smith had been fired.

usatsi7360426.jpg
The Twins have fired GM Terry Ryan. USATSI

The Twins come into Monday with an AL worst 33-58 record. Only the Braves (32-60) have a worse record among all 30 clubs. Minnesota surprisingly won 83 games in 2015, though they lost 90-plus games each year from 2011-14 and appear poised to do so again in 2016.

That status of the Twins front office was one of our top questions for the second half. Outside of 2015, the team has not been competitive for a while, and it seemed to be time for a fresh voice. Ryan has been at it for a long time and his clubs had a lot of success during the 2000s, but things haven't worked out of late.

The Twins have a reputation for being a very loyal organization, which is why Bill Smith was elevated from assistant GM to GM when Ryan stepped down, and why Ryan took over as GM when Smith was let go. Antony has been with the team for 29 seasons now, including the last nine as an assistant GM.

usatsi7877151.jpg
Rob Antony has taken as Twins GM on an interim basis. USATSI

Among Ryan's most notable moves during his second tenure as Twins GM including signing Ricky Nolasco, Phil Hughes, and Ervin Santana as free agents, and trading away Denard Span and Ben Revere. Those moves haven't quite worked out as hoped, which is why the club is on the verge of losing 90 games for the fifth time in six years.

The Twins have not yet said when they expect to name a new permanent GM. It would behoove them to look outside the organization for a fresh voice and a new perspective. They've been doing things the "Twins Way" far too long now.