Who Is the Twins Biggest Rival for 2023?

[Ted Schwerzler]

Over the past handful of years, it has been either the Cleveland Guardians or Chicago White Sox to challenge the Minnesota Twins at the top of the AL Central. With the three locked in as the clear contenders again, which foe represents the biggest rival for 2023?

 

Image courtesy of Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

Of course, it is fair to suggest that the team to beat is the reigning division champions. Terry Francona’s Cleveland Guardians won the division with 92 wins a season ago. Despite Rocco Baldelli’s Minnesota Twins having led the division for most of the year, it was the Chicago White Sox who finished second with 81 wins. The Twins should be expected to be better than the 78 wins they posted in 2022, and if they’re going to make a postseason return, they’ll need to overcome both of their top two competitors.

Looking at the projections, there seems to be a consensus that both the Twins and Guardians are better than Chicago. That being said, the divide between all parties is hardly substantial. Fangraphs has the Twins projected to win 83 games, equal to the Guardians, with the White Sox tallying just 80. PECOTA has Cleveland and Minnesota winning 88 games with the White Sox finishing with just 79 victories. Either way, the teams remained grouped.

For the sake of rivalry, it has always felt like Chicago had more invested in their team than the Guardians did. Even when Cleveland was making their deep postseason runs, attendance at Progressive Field has been anything but notable. The White Sox fanbase, while they have been down for quite some time, have been plenty vocal in support of their club. Aside from Jensen Lewis’ infamous “Bye Twins” tweet, there has been little back and forth between the Twins and Guardians fan bases.

Cleveland’s blueprint, dating back to when Derek Falvey was part of that organization, has always been pitching. Jose Ramirez and Andres Gimenez have emerged as offensive stars, but Francisco Lindor is long gone and the outfield has been awful for quite some time. They will trot out Shane Bieber, Triston McKenzie, and Aaron Civale on a regular basis, but this isn’t the same peak rotation that took Cleveland to the World Series in 2016.

Last year it looked as though the White Sox would again be the cream of the AL Central crop, but manager Tony La Russa continued to get in their way. Making odd decisions and looking like the game had passed him by, there were plenty of opportunities for Chicago to execute when they did not. Injuries also kept the White Sox down last season, and we have yet to see Luis Robert put it together for a full season.

In terms of additions, the Guardians brought in first basemen Josh Bell and catcher Mike Zunino. Chicago grabbed Andrew Benintendi for their outfield, and Mike Clevinger for the starting rotation. Unfortunately for them, it appears Clevinger may not be eligible to play, and closer Liam Hendriks is currently battling cancer.

It’s hard to think that anyone but the Twins did more during the offseason. While Carlos Correa isn’t necessarily an addition, bringing him back was a must. Getting an arm like Pablo Lopez is huge, and adding the likes of both Joey Gallo and Christian Vazquez should help plenty. Adding depth in both Kyle Farmer and Donovan Solano are nice pieces to call upon as well.

You can’t fault the projection systems for suggesting that the division still runs through Cleveland. Until they are knocked off, and Chicago for that matter as well, that should be the expectation. Minnesota has positioned themselves with their best roster in years, however, and this should be the season they return to postseason play.

Despite what Cleveland brings to the table, Chicago’s offensive talent may be the most worrisome foe. Andrew Vaughn will take over at first base for Jose Abreu, but the biggest change could be Pedro Grifol (former Twins prospect) leading the group. If the skipper can make less questionable decisions, and the clubhouse can gel, it should be the White Sox that push Minnesota the most. If that’s going to be the case, expect plenty of chirping from the South Siders along the way.

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[theBOMisthebomb]

I'm game for a heated and highly contested three way race in the AL Central this season. It would be quite fun, especially considering there's probably only going to be one AL Central team in the playoffs so no wild card consolation prize. 

[rwilfong86]

Cleveland.

[Craig Arko]

The injured list.

[DocBauer]

Rival for the division in 2024? Cleveland. I think Cleveland is a very good ball club. They've got good to great pitching. (There are questions about team depth vs the Twins). They've got a handful of really good position players, but have been short there for several years. I do like their signing of Bell and the addition of Zunino might be sneaky good. But the Twins held 1st place in 2022 for a good majority of the season before the team became a re-boot of MASH. And I think the team is better and deeper now than last year.

So yeah, for 2024, if we are speaking about a rival as being the team to beat, it's Cleveland.

If we're talking about day to day, week to week, month to month, year to year, regardless of records or divisional rankings, who is the Twins #1 rival? NO DOUBT, it's the Chicago Dirty Sox. It has been for decades now, and I don't see a change any time soon.

[Parfigliano]

Twins and their what should be greatly improved starting pitching should carry the day.

[Rod Carews Birthday]

In the short term, it would appear that Cleveland is our rival for the division, but don't count out Chicago.  They could easily surprise if their young talent stays healthy. 

I've always felt that Chicago is the more traditional rivalry even though it doesn't really inspire the kind of other team hatred that is prevalent in other rivalries.  As someone who lives in the Chicago area, I go to Twins/Sox games every year wearing my Twins jerseys and usually wind up in a really positive discussion with a random Sox fan about the teams this year.  They are largely just real baseball fans who even cheer for the other team when something good happens. I guess most of the nastiness gets tied up on the other side of town for the Cubs and Cardinals.

[tarheeltwinsfan]

The Twins should look at their opponent for that particular day as being their biggest rival. One day at a time, one game at a time, one win at a time.

[JD-TWINS]

37 minutes ago, Parfigliano said:

Twins and their what should be greatly improved starting pitching should carry the day.

Twins carry the day!!

…….assuming Correa is wrapped into last year’s roster, TWINS added Gallo, Solano, Farmer, Taylor, Vázquez……..all to supplement a good core that was beat up but in first place last year through August.

Pitching has Maeda back - López - Mahle all added to supplement the dumpster fire that was our ‘22 starting rotation.

Cleveland’s stud new AAA starter is out two months with arm issue……they signed Josh Bell - good move. They also signed Mike Zunino - seriously?? Better defense version of Gary Sanchez …..big deal!!

Twins win!

[D.C Twins]

Rocco's managing..... whooaaaaaaaaaaaaa

[theBOMisthebomb]

3 hours ago, DocBauer said:

Rival for the division in 2024? Cleveland. I think Cleveland is a very good ball club. They've got good to great pitching. (There are questions about team depth vs the Twins). They've got a handful of really good position players, but have been short there for several years. I do like their signing of Bell and the addition of Zunino might be sneaky good. But the Twins held 1st place in 2022 for a good majority of the season before the team became a re-boot of MASH. And I think the team is better and deeper now than last year.

So yeah, for 2024, if we are speaking about a rival as being the team to beat, it's Cleveland.

If we're talking about day to day, week to week, month to month, year to year, regardless of records or divisional rankings, who is the Twins #1 rival? NO DOUBT, it's the Chicago Dirty Sox. It has been for decades now, and I don't see a change any time soon.

Why 2024? What about 2023?

[h2oface]

After how the Twins imploded so many times and ways against Cleveland last year, and they are the defending division champs..... Cleveland.

[DocBauer]

37 minutes ago, theBOMisthebomb said:

Why 2024? What about 2023?

Typo

[jkcarew]

If I had to pick one…

the Chicago Guardians

[theBOMisthebomb]

9 hours ago, DocBauer said:

Typo

No worries. Someone jumped my case at work yesterday about a simple error and my response was, "I'm not perfect". 

At least it can be said you are not living in the past. 

[Karbo]

12 hours ago, D.C Twins said:

Rocco's managing..... whooaaaaaaaaaaaaa

Francona in Cleveland is always a threat. He knows how to get the most out of his guys.

[Ricky Vaughn]

1 hour ago, Karbo said:

Francona in Cleveland is always a threat. He knows how to get the most out of his guys.

He's the manager I respect the most in MLB. I think he is responsible for several more wins every year. Rocco has gotten better but is still mediocre at on field managing. He must be great in the clubhouse as the players seem to support him. As far as rivals go has to be Cleveland. Chicago has lots of talent but just don't seem to play well together. perhaps the new manager will help that. I have to see it first though.

[Riverbrian]

Health is going to be a factor this year. I 'm not sure if either Cleveland or Chicago have the depth to absorb health disruptions. 

If I had to choose a team to worry about the most. I'd go with Chicago because I think Cleveland is thinner offensively. Both have a strong rotation and bullpen. Cleveland was pretty healthy last year and they got some impressive first time performances that may not repeat. Just because Kwan, Rosario, Gimenez, Gonzales had decent years last year it doesn't mean they will be decent this year.   

I won't dismiss Kansas City. They are young but they have an abundance of young talent that I just can't dismiss. 

With apologies to Michigan... I have already dismissed Detroit.  

[ashbury]

MLB isn't college football, where the hometown heroes can go 2-10 but the season is a success if they beat Iowa and Wisconsin.  Unless the rivalry during a particular season is organic, I'm not too interested in that aspect.  Cleveland and Chicago certainly look like the main challengers in the Central, but I don't feel like worrying about them until it's too late.