September 30, 2016:

What a year it has been for the Minnesota Twins! The Twins recently won their 93rd game of the season and have at last unseated the Detroit Tigers from their five year perch atop the AL central. It's hard to believe the Twins made it this far despite losing 90 games every year from 2011-2014. We'll take a look at each player that was on the Twins at the end of 2014, what happened to them, and which new players were brought in to change the outlook of this team.

Infielders:

Joe Mauer: Mauer has remained the starting first baseman, and saw his number bounce back after a poor showing in 2014. His batting average has been comfortably around .300 and he has hit 13 homers each of the last two years. He won a gold glove award in 2015.

Brian Dozier: Dozier solidified himself as one of the Twins top positions players. He has now had three consecutive 20-20 seasons, and saw his batting average climb to the .260 range.

Danny Santana: Santana regressed some after an incredible 2014, but he still hits around .280 and has had some decent pop. His defense has improved drastically since being moved to shortstop permanently at the start of 2015.

Eduardo Escobar: Escobar was the Twins starting third baseman for the first half of 2015. He showed some talent, but ultimately failed to reproduce the type of offensive numbers he put up in 2014. Since Miguel Sano's callup, Escobar has filled a super-utility role. He's worked hard on his outfield defense and is now a plus defender at second, short, third, left, and center.

Trevor Plouffe: Following the 2014 season, Plouffe, Pinto, and Eddie Rosario were part of a three-team trade that brought Gio Gonzalez to Minnesota.

Eduardo Nunez: Nunez was claimed off wavers shortly after the July 31 trade deadline in 2015. Once it was apparent Sano would stick at third base he was deemed expendable.

Kennys Vargas: Vargas has been the Twins primary DH and has worked hard on his plate discipline. He still strikes out a ton, but he walks more now. 2016 was his first career 30HR season.

Miguel Sano: After being called up in July 2015, Sano managed to hit 18HR during the second half. This year, he finished the year with 43HR, most in the American League.

Jorge Polanco: Polanco was called up by the Twins in September, 2015 and has been a part of the team ever since. It is clear he has the tools to be an everyday player, so it is unclear what the Twins will do with him and their other infielders this offseason.

Chris Colabello: The Twins non-tendered Colabello after 2014. He signed a minor league deal with Oakland, made the team, and was their primary DH the whole year. The Athletics went on to win the 2015 World Series.

Outfielders:

Oswaldo Arcia: After switching back to left field in 2015, Arcia became an average defender. He still has trouble making consistent contact at the plate, but has hit 30HR each of the past two seasons.

Aaron Hicks: Hicks has been the Twins 4th outfielder for the past two years and has acted as a late-inning defensive replacement for Arcia.

Jordan Schafer: Schafer began 2015 with the Minnesota Twins, but was released in June of that year.

Torii Hunter: Hunter was signed to a one-year deal to play right field in 2015. Following the season, he retired, although some sources claim he is considering coming back for the 2017 season.

Colby Rasmus: The Twins signed Rasmus to a one-year deal as a stop-gap CF for 2015. He performed very well and earned a three-year extension to be the Twins right fielder.

Byron Buxton: Despite pressure from fans, Buxton was not called up until September 2015. He was then the opening day centerfielder in 2016. He is considered a lock to win AL rookie of the year and is expected to keep getting better.

Chris Parmelee: Parmelee was non-tendered following the 2014 season.

Catchers:

Kurt Suzuki: Suzuki was adequate in 2015, but saw his offensive numbers take a toll this season. He has since moved to a bench role. With prospect Mitch Garver ready to debut next year, it is likely his time with the Twins has come to a close.

Chris Herrmann: Herrmann acted as Suzuki's backup in 2015. He played AAA ball for the Twins in 2016 and will likely be back on a minor league contract next year.

Eric Fryer: Fryer was non-tendered following the 2014 season.

Josmil Pinto: Pinto was traded along with Plouffe and Rosario in the deal that brought Gonzalez to the Twins.

Steward Turner: Turner started 2016 as Suzuki's backup, but has since taken over as the starting catcher. His defense is amazing but his bat leaves more to be desired.

Starting Pitchers:

Phil Hughes: Hughes signed a four-year extension with the Minnesota Twins after putting up a 3.15 ERA in 2015. He is expected to be the anchor of the team for several more years.

Ricky Nolasco: After the 2015 season, Nolasco was moved to the bullpen. Although he hasn't been as bad as in 2014, his ERA has been around 4.75 each of the last two years.

Tommy Milone: Milone pitched to a 3.50 ERA during the first half of 2015. He was then traded back to Oakland, who won the 2015 World Series.

Trevor May: May worked on his control and has become a quality starting pitcher. He still walks about 3.5 batters per 9 innings, but his K/9 rate has been above 10 in each of the last two seasons.

Alex Meyer: Called up mid-season in 2015, Meyer is the reason Nolasco spent 2016 in the bullpen. He hasn't been dominant, but did post an ERA of 3.95 this year. He also missed about a month with a shoulder injury.

Logan Darnell: Darnell has been a member of the Twins bullpen since the start of 2015, effectively taking over Brian Duensing's role and producing similar results.

Gio Gonzalez: Gonzalez has been the Twins #2 starter since being acquired from the Nationals. He made a seamless transition to the American League and it is expected the Twins will pick up at least the first of his option years.

Kyle Gibson: Gibson has made some great strides since 2014, and now looks like a top of the rotation arm.

Yohan Pino: Pino retired from baseball after complications returning from injury in 2015.

Kris Johnson: Johnson still plays Minor League ball for the Twins.

Relief Pitchers:

Anthony Swarzak: Swarzak was non-tendered following the 2014 season. He signed a minor league deal with the Pirates, who converted him back to a starter. After spending all of 2015 in AAA, he won 17 games this year.

Aaron Thompson: Thompson was non-tendered following the 2014 season.

Mike Pelfrey: Pelfrey took over Swarzak's role in 2015, he had some success and was traded at the August 31 deadline.

Caleb Theilbar: Theilbar was non-tendered following the 2015 season.

AJ Achter: Achter has remained with the Twins, occasionally filling in when someone gets injured. He has spent most of the last two seasons at AAA.

Glen Perkins: Perkins came back from his injury pitching like one of the best closers in baseball. He was an all-star in 2015 and 2016.

Casey Fien: Fien was the Twins setup man in 2015, but was non-tendered after again falling apart during August and September.

Jared Burton: The Twins bought out Burton's contract after 2014.

Ryan Pressly: Pressly spent 2015 in the bullpen, but was non-tendered after posting an ERA north of 5.

Michael Tonkin: Tonkin pitched very well during the 2015 and 2016 seasons and was traded in July to make room for Chargois.

Lester Oliveros: Oliveros pitched for the Twins in 2015, but struggled mightily. He was signed to a minor league contract last offseason.

Nick Burdi: Nick Burdi became the Twins primary setup man when Fien fell apart towards the end of 2015. He thrived in that role in 2016.

JT Chargois: Chargois has handled the 7th inning for the Twins since July, giving the Twins a late inning trio that rivals that of the 2014 Kansas City Royals.

Mason Melotakis: In his rookie season, Melotakis has been a dominant lefty specialist for the Twins all year.

Jose Berrios: Taking a page from the Cardinals book, the Twins used Berrios out of the bullpen this year. He filled in during Meyer's shoulder injury and is expected to compete for a rotation spot next year.

Clearly, it has been a busy few years for the Minnesota Twins, but I am excited to see how they perform in the playoffs this year. The Yankees lost 85 games this year, so that should definitely help.