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stringer bell

Entry posted by stringer bell ·

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Twins Video

The current Twins Forum is filled with prognostication and speculation. There really isn't much else to talk about until the team starts Spring Training. Many comments have been written in reference to disturbing predictions from outside of Twins Territory: Being picked in the bottom five by an ESPN writer and being given an over/under of 68.5 in Las Vegas. The realists have joined the negatives in predicting a long, losing season. There is certainly a realistic basis for such predictions/projections. Several players could regress after having big season last year, as well as almost all of the incumbents in the bullpen. The Twins still have defense and range issues in the outfield.

 

Some have pointed out that the club closed it's run deficit dramatically last year, added a 111 OPS+ outfielder, who would have been in the top three of the Twins triple crown offensive categories, and added a solid pitcher to the starting rotation to bolster their biggest weakness last year. That combined with the coming of age of top prospects and improvement by veterans who are under 30 or who had seasons far worse than their track records would mean a successful season and a chance to contend.

 

If I have to choose one camp from the two schools of thought that I have mentioned, I would choose the optimistic view of the Twins' chances. A return to career norms for the likes of Mauer and Nolasco can and should make up for regression from surprises and "breakouts" last year. If position players, starters or relievers don't cut it, there are higher-upside prospects ready or close to ready to take their place. I don't expect the squad that breaks camp to play the Tigers on Opening Day to be good enough to contend, but I do think that the roster and the players on it will evolve to be much improved from their performances in the last four years.

 

I don't think the Twins will win the division or claim a wild card, there are too many question marks that have to turn out well for the team, but I think that it could happen and that the team has to start the season with the expectation that they will contend. I do expect improvement and the blueprint for a perennial contender coming out of the 2015 season.

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Platoon

The other day I asked rhetorically "what am I missing". Someone alertly noted, "optimism"! There are several scenarios here:

 

They start the season well, then fade, and then slowly start bring in some young talent. The record is slightly better than last year.

 

They start the season and don't fade, but are always on the outer fringes of contention. TR signs an aging (fill in the blank) to get us over the hump. We don't!

 

No matter how they start the season the FO accepts this is the beginning of a rebuild. If a player is in the way, he is moved, this years performance only affects his trade value.

 

All of the above preclude a contender. And frankly I don't care if we are a distant second or 5th. What I would like to see is real movement to the future. If I see that I will be optimistic, regardless of the won loss.

 

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mikelink45

I am pessimistic if this season is supposed to be a winning year - look at the other clubs in our division and what they did and have, but optimistic about next year and the future - if we do not get enamored with the players who can make this a 500 club. Get the youth on board - it is easier to be a fan of a young team working its way up in the standings that a bunch of fringe okay players collecting their paychecks.

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VATwinsFan

Cautious optimism IF the starting pitching holds up i.e. Hughes comes reasonably close to last year, Nolasco bounces back, Gibson improves, Santana doesn't have a Nolasco type year, and whoever if the 5th starter does haflway decently. 

 

Oh, and it would be nice if Hicks finally takes CF by the horns and hits .250+

 

But it all starts with the starting pitching.  See the 1977 Twins.

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Dman

Like any sport, in baseball anything can happen.  I didn't think Texas would be worse than the Twins last season and I didn't see KC making it to the WS.  Injuries can change things for teams in a hurry and a team that gets on a hot streak and gains confidence can put themselves in the mix.  You just never know.

 

On paper the Twins appear to have quite the uphill climb but if things break for them they could be right there at the end.  I am anxious to see how they do this year and I always have a positive vib heading into the season.  No reason to go negative unless things do not turn out later in the year.  Even then there are lots of young guys that could give us positives to dwell on for next year.  At the very least you have to be exited abut the potential of this club.

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