5 Reasons the Minnesota Twins Will Win in 2023

[Karbo]

17 hours ago, JD-TWINS said:

Suggestion of RH bat depth for DH & security at 3B - Evan Longoria!

Relievers for BP depth…….as you mentioned, I to wanted a FA starter to push Maeda into the Pen. Am still in favor of that happening somehow, maybe Varland picking up the 5th rotation spot.

Drop Maeda into middle relief & add Fulmer - Hand - Britton or any 2 of those guys and our BP is really solid.

No Pagan - maybe no López in bullpen …….offer up their “potential” along with Kepler and a prospect for a SP in return. Dream scenario.

Bull Pen to reverse the 27 blown saves (let’s cut to 12) from ‘22:

FA (Hand) - Moran - Thielbar - Megill - Jax - Duran - Maeda - FA(Fulmer)……..Winder & Alcala in St. Paul & ready to go.

Maeda has an agreement with the Twins to be a starter, so I don't see that changing soon.

[Karbo]

IMO the biggest change was at FO and head coach. Might be time for ownership to take notice what a difference that made

[hitterscount]

The roster as it stands is filled with holes. If they were in any division other than the AL Central they would finish at or near the bottom. 

The FO did nothing to improve the OF. If you are counting on Buxton and Kirloff to be healthy and have big years the odds and past history will say you are going to be disappointed. The Gallo signing was a joke. The Brewers traded Renfroe who would have been a perfect fit and would be an immediate upgrade over either Kepler or Gallo, plus a much needed RH bat.  The OF as of today is concerning. 

The INF, not much better. I think trading Urshela was a  bad decision. I have no problem with Miranda playing 3rd if they received something of value for that trade, which they didn't. Is Farmer really the answer at SS? 2nd they are alright, but I would look at trading either Polanco or Arraez, who IMO are the teams best trading pieces. What is the plan at 1st... Arraez again, Kirloff.. either way one is not a 1st caliber player and the other has injury issues. And who is the DH.. assuming Buxton slots there a lot when he can play... but that leaves a hole in CF. 

Catcher they should be alright at.

The SP is what it is... hoping Ryan takes a leap this year and is a little more consistent. The biggest question is how the manager utilizes them again. The 5 inning or three times threw the line-up rule destroyed the BP last years. 

BP could be decent. Colome in 2021 and Pagan last year were just morale killers... you can only blow so many games before it just kills any momentum. The manager failed to adjust and go another route letting the two of them blow game after game. 

Wow this is really a pessimistic view of the team... someone mentioned earlier, they need to go the Atlanta route and identify key young pieces and extend their contracts while still under team control and build around them. Who those pieces are is the issue.     

 

[miracleb]

I'm with Ted!  Anything that could go wrong....DID go wrong last year.

 

[Trov]

I believe it really will come down to health and progression of the young guys.  We all know Buck will miss half the season, but beyond him, if some guys can avoid long stints on shelf, mainly in pitching area, we should be better.  One issue was also the little injuries that took away some production from the offense.  It is a big if, but if we can get some big strides from the younger guys that will help a ton. However, until I see it, I will not assume much of a difference. 

[heresthething]

6 hours ago, Mark G said:

A lot has been said about competing within the division, and how the rest of the division stacks up vs. how we stack up.  We should also keep in mind that we don't get 76 games against this division anymore; we get 52.  Those extra 6 games against the Royals, Tigers, etc., are replaced by games against each division in both leagues that we haven't played before.  This extremely humble observer is as wary of the schedule change as I am wary of possible additions to the roster, or lack thereof.  Will it be a blessing, a curse, or will it matter at all?  ?

It will be interesting to see.  Stay tuned.........

Been pondering this also since it was first announced.  I'm all for it, I would even take it a step further and reduce even more division games.  

1) This helps MLB market the game and begin the transition desperately needed to break up this regional mindset that has only favored the large market teams and IMO reduced fan interest.

2) Baseball fans get to see more of the league stars and finally get some variety.  The owners will hopefully see this translated into higher attendance and TV ratings.

3) The competition gets better and there is a truer picture of teams.  The more the Twins play the large payroll teams the better the players will get.  Nothing like a higher level of competition to push players.

4) Enough of the owners will finally start to recognize the benefits of acting like a league and start asking the right questions which center on what's good for the league and for fans.

[MGM4706]

Ted Ted Ted! No team has gone very far without an Ace! Especially in the playoffs. And why we kept Pagan is a Mystery! Gallo is just another Sano. Boobirds will be out by May 15 as he leads the league in K's! Plus with the new shift rule if Twins trade Kepler he will gain 30 pts in avg and be solid for another team. Fix pitching or it will be a .sub .500 club.

[Mike Sixel]

10 hours ago, Brandon said:

Hopefully we start signing some of these younger guys to long term contracts like Atlanta has done.  They have a great core in the starting lineup and they are locked up for the next 5+ years.  

The Twins have no player I'd do that for right now. Like who?

[Bill Tanner]

6 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

The Twins have no player I'd do that for right now. Like who?

Joe Ryan, Jose Miranda, and despite the injury setbacks, Royce Lewis.  

I understand there is lots of team control remaining there, but those are the guys more willing to give up years of free agency.  If we wait to be sure we're locking up a star, the star has little incentive to delay a contract in the hundreds of millions of dollars.

[Mike Sixel]

7 minutes ago, Bill Tanner said:

Joe Ryan, Jose Miranda, and despite the injury setbacks, Royce Lewis.  

I understand there is lots of team control remaining there, but those are the guys more willing to give up years of free agency.  If we wait to be sure we're locking up a star, the star has little incentive to delay a contract in the hundreds of millions of dollars.

Ryan is a pitcher with five years of control left. Has any team done that for a pitcher?

I can squint and see Miranda, but he's not shown as much as any player Atlanta has extended, but I can see that one.

Lewis hasn't walked injury free in two years, I'm passing on that one. 

[Brandon]

56 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

The Twins have no player I'd do that for right now. Like who?

I didn’t mean right this minute but in the next year or two before they hit arbitration maybe Miranda, Ryan, Jeffers, I would do a 3-4 year extension with Arreaz now with an option year or two.  Killeroff if he has a strong bounce back season.  I would probably wait to see Lewis healthy the rest of this season and all of next before approaching him….

[Vanimal46]

17 hours ago, Mike Sixel said:

Not even close. Other than the Guardians, none of those teams were good at any point last year. 

Since June 1, here are the AL Central records of KC, MN, and DET

MIN - 48-63 (70 win pace)

KC - 49-65 (69 win pace)

DET - 47-66 (67 win pace) 

Better Health: Detroit lost #1 overall pick Casey Mize for the season, Austin Meadows limited to 36 games, starting rotation in shambles losing Spencer Turnball, Tarik Skubal, Matt Manning, Kyle Funkhouser, Eduardo Rodriguez, etc. 

Youth Development: Kansas City arguably has higher end talent than the Twins. Bobby Witt Jr being a premiere prospect, Brady Singer continues to develop into an ace, Drew Waters develops into a star, MJ Melendez takes over catching duties, etc. Detroit has Riley Greene, Spencer Torkelson, and a bunch of young starting pitching prospects. 

Re-do tight ones: KC was 16-20 in one run games. Detroit was 3-7 in extra inning games. Just a few lucky bounces and they can win! 

Pitching depth: Insert 10 names here every offseason to highlight depth. 

The division is wide open!

[Whitey333]

I want to be optimistic but the Twins make it hard.  As many of the people posted there's an awful lot of ifs.  Depth in starting pitching?  Where?  Much of the so called depth is prospects with very limited or no major league experience.  Plus many of the starters we do have are not established or are injured.  Gray and Ryan seem to do well.  Especially if Ryan can start pitching well against the good teams.  Mahle is the big question mark to me.  He must stay healthy and must perform.  It shouldn't be that tough.  He plays for a manager that generally doesn't believe in starting pitchers.  Maeda?  Jury is still definitely out since he hasn't pitched in over a year.  Plus I believe he and Gray and maybe others are entering the last year of their contracts.  Over has at times shown he's ready but other times us awful and injured a lot.  Winder, Varland Richardson have far too little MLB experience to consider it depth.  Like most of the team the pitching staff is littered with what ifs and has beens.  Playing fewer division games may help but may be disastorus.  I'm afraid it will be another season of boring baseball for the Twins.  Their best promotion may be No- Doze night.  Handing out caffeine tablets at the gates might be the only way to keep fans awake.  As much as I would like to see 85-90 wins I realistically am anticipating only an 75 win season.

[Mike Sixel]

7 minutes ago, Whitey333 said:

I want to be optimistic but the Twins make it hard.  As many of the people posted there's an awful lot of ifs.  Depth in starting pitching?  Where?  Much of the so called depth is prospects with very limited or no major league experience.  Plus many of the starters we do have are not established or are injured.  Gray and Ryan seem to do well.  Especially if Ryan can start pitching well against the good teams.  Mahle is the big question mark to me.  He must stay healthy and must perform.  It shouldn't be that tough.  He plays for a manager that generally doesn't believe in starting pitchers.  Maeda?  Jury is still definitely out since he hasn't pitched in over a year.  Plus I believe he and Gray and maybe others are entering the last year of their contracts.  Over has at times shown he's ready but other times us awful and injured a lot.  Winder, Varland Richardson have far too little MLB experience to consider it depth.  Like most of the team the pitching staff is littered with what ifs and has beens.  Playing fewer division games may help but may be disastorus.  I'm afraid it will be another season of boring baseball for the Twins.  Their best promotion may be No- Doze night.  Handing out caffeine tablets at the gates might be the only way to keep fans awake.  As much as I would like to see 85-90 wins I realistically am anticipating only an 75 win season.

Outside a couple teams, isn't all SP depth filled with prospects? I really don't know what people realistically expect here.

[ashbury]

On 12/29/2022 at 10:20 AM, Ted Schwerzler said:

There is reason to believe, even in losing Carlos Correa, that the 2023 Twins will turn the tide and finish with a winning record.

I saw the headline and felt there was a lot of gray area to the phrase "will win" - personally I save that wording for making noise in the post-season.  After skimming through the article I see that the benchmark is an 82-80 record.  They won 78 games last year.  Teams make that kind of dramatic 4-game turnaround every season.  So sure, it could happen.  Better health from guys with a track record of injury could bring a surprise, and some young'uns breaking out would also do the trick.

They also lost 84 games and it wouldn't take much for them to lose 90 this time.  I dunno, there's always a wide range of reasonable outcomes for a given roster, and I guess this is the time of year to look at the upside, but I'm having a hard time.

[SanoMustGo]

1 hour ago, Vanimal46 said:

Since June 1, here are the AL Central records of KC, MN, and DET

MIN - 48-63 (70 win pace)

KC - 49-65 (69 win pace)

DET - 47-66 (67 win pace) 

Better Health: Detroit lost #1 overall pick Casey Mize for the season, Austin Meadows limited to 36 games, starting rotation in shambles losing Spencer Turnball, Tarik Skubal, Matt Manning, Kyle Funkhouser, Eduardo Rodriguez, etc. 

Youth Development: Kansas City arguably has higher end talent than the Twins. Bobby Witt Jr being a premiere prospect, Brady Singer continues to develop into an ace, Drew Waters develops into a star, MJ Melendez takes over catching duties, etc. Detroit has Riley Greene, Spencer Torkelson, and a bunch of young starting pitching prospects. 

Re-do tight ones: KC was 16-20 in one run games. Detroit was 3-7 in extra inning games. Just a few lucky bounces and they can win! 

Pitching depth: Insert 10 names here every offseason to highlight depth. 

The division is wide open!

I see Detroit passing the Twins in the standings in 2023.

[dxpavelka]

On 12/29/2022 at 12:25 PM, sorney said:

I appreciate your optimism here, but the "hope for a tide turning season" feels very on brand for the Twins.  Why go out and create your own fate, when you can sit back and hope?!?

"Going out and creating your own fate" guarantees what?

[rwilfong86]

Possible, but unlikely and I see 90-100 losses coming.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

On 12/29/2022 at 1:15 PM, Nashvilletwin said:

Question: what is the biggest difference between the ‘21 Vikes and the ‘22 Vikes? Zimmer gone, KOC in.

We want to win more close games? Particularly with our roster that could be very generously described as “average”? Start with playing with excellent fundamentals and “steal” more wins than loses via better in-game management.  That begins and ends with Rocco.

That and blind luck 

[Richie the Rally Goat]

17 hours ago, ashbury said:

I saw the headline and felt there was a lot of gray area to the phrase "will win" - personally I save that wording for making noise in the post-season.  After skimming through the article I see that the benchmark is an 82-80 record.  They won 78 games last year.  Teams make that kind of dramatic 4-game turnaround every season.  So sure, it could happen.  Better health from guys with a track record of injury could bring a surprise, and some young'uns breaking out would also do the trick.

They also lost 84 games and it wouldn't take much for them to lose 90 this time.  I dunno, there's always a wide range of reasonable outcomes for a given roster, and I guess this is the time of year to look at the upside, but I'm having a hard time.

Agreed, and #1 on the list, health, could repeat the injuries that have repeated themselves several times. You’re injury prone until you’re not and it can change in a heartbeat, just like G-Cinco, but it can repeat too.

[jjswol]

On 12/29/2022 at 1:25 PM, sorney said:

I appreciate your optimism here, but the "hope for a tide turning season" feels very on brand for the Twins.  Why go out and create your own fate, when you can sit back and hope?!?

"Hope" doesn't sound like a good plan to me.

 

[theBOMisthebomb]

On 12/30/2022 at 8:20 AM, hitterscount said:

The roster as it stands is filled with holes. If they were in any division other than the AL Central they would finish at or near the bottom. 

The FO did nothing to improve the OF. If you are counting on Buxton and Kirloff to be healthy and have big years the odds and past history will say you are going to be disappointed. The Gallo signing was a joke. The Brewers traded Renfroe who would have been a perfect fit and would be an immediate upgrade over either Kepler or Gallo, plus a much needed RH bat.  The OF as of today is concerning. 

The INF, not much better. I think trading Urshela was a  bad decision. I have no problem with Miranda playing 3rd if they received something of value for that trade, which they didn't. Is Farmer really the answer at SS? 2nd they are alright, but I would look at trading either Polanco or Arraez, who IMO are the teams best trading pieces. What is the plan at 1st... Arraez again, Kirloff.. either way one is not a 1st caliber player and the other has injury issues. And who is the DH.. assuming Buxton slots there a lot when he can play... but that leaves a hole in CF. 

Catcher they should be alright at.

The SP is what it is... hoping Ryan takes a leap this year and is a little more consistent. The biggest question is how the manager utilizes them again. The 5 inning or three times threw the line-up rule destroyed the BP last years. 

BP could be decent. Colome in 2021 and Pagan last year were just morale killers... you can only blow so many games before it just kills any momentum. The manager failed to adjust and go another route letting the two of them blow game after game. 

Wow this is really a pessimistic view of the team... someone mentioned earlier, they need to go the Atlanta route and identify key young pieces and extend their contracts while still under team control and build around them. Who those pieces are is the issue.     

 

Yes, very pessimistic yet realistic. They had a chance this offseason to spend and improve, mission failed. There's still time, maybe they can pull off a trade that is a difference maker. So far, it's just been Joey Freakin' Gallo - yuck.