Schoop was already internally replaced and Cron is easy to replace. The questions now is are we able to sign Donaldson for our lineup which is a big upgrade and this one atleast looks competitive and what do we do about the one more spot in the rotation? Both answers could be huge upgrades or at worst someone to help keep status quo.

I agree with your post. Chemistry is something that only strikes once in a while, and last years team had it. It’s really hard for me to believe that lightning is going to strike twice in 2020.

We did not add by subtraction.  Schoop and Cron may be replaceable but not sure who is doing the replacing.  Gibson and Perez were certainly replaceable, but not sure by whom. It is always convenient to knock the players you never had - hey I heard Avila is even better than Castro  

But at this stage standing pat is actually above our current situation so I am not predicting 100+ for 2020.  I am not even projecting 95+.  I need to see the big moves that the team still has planned. 

Well that is my optimistic New years thoughts for today.

hey I heard Avila is even better than Castro  

You're right-not more home runs, but he does get a lot of hits and is a good player. But the home runs are what made Minnesota great and recognized this year. If everyone currently on the Twins roster would hit the same number of home runs that they hit this year, they would be at 255 home runs. So basically, yes, Avila is a very good player but he does not hit as many home runs as Castro.

Schoop was already internally replaced and Cron is easy to replace.

How easy to replace is Cron? He hit 25 home runs and was a pretty good defensive player. There's not a lot left on the free agent market, so unless the Twins sign Donaldson and move Sano to first, they might have to look into a trade.

The Tigers and Royals will be bad.  But Cleveland still has tremendous pitching and has added pop to the lineup.  If they trade Lindor, they will get some good young players but Lindor will be sorely missed.  The White Sox have had a fabulous off season and look to be in the mix.  It will be a 3-team race between the Twins, Indians and White Sox for much of the year.  The Twins still need to make some noise.  A starting pitcher who would be our #1 and make an impact (Chris Sale, Blake Snell) will require a trade.  I'm not hoping for half measures with this trade.  I'm looking for a blockbuster.  

The Twins will definitely regress in 2020 naturally, even if it's just the baseball changing. Most teams will do so when they win 101 games. Don't think people are aware of how much regression some of the White Sox are due for in 2020 as well though. Tim Anderson won the batting title with a .399! BABIP. Yoan Moncada hit .315 with a .406 BABIP. Both have relatively high career BABIPs but last year they bordered on historic. While I have no way of understanding fluctuations in BABIP, I'd bet on them significantly decreasing.

Jose Abreu is another year older, and so is Edwin Encarnacion. Both could be at risk of injury or just completely falling off, not every veteran is as special as Nelson Cruz.

I guess my point is that most teams are worried about regression. If they aren't the phrase "ignorance is bliss" comes to mind. I feel good about the Twins natural regression starting at 101 wins as opposed to the White Sox natural regression from 72 wins, even with their additions.