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Coming into the offseason and lockout notwithstanding, the focus for the Twins had to be on adding pitching. The rotation was without its top two starters from last season, and middle-man Michael Pineda was also gone. The lineup needed a shortstop with Andrelton Simmons hitting the open market, and the lineup was likely to have a few new faces.
Before giving out a grade, let’s look at what took place.
Who Minnesota Lost this Offseason: Michael Pineda, Andrelton Simmons, Mitch Garver, Josh Donaldson, Ben Rortvedt, Chase Petty
Who Minnesota Gained this Offseason: Carlos Correa, Dylan Bundy, Joe Smith, Chris Archer, Gary Sanchez, Gio Urshela
It’s an odd offseason when extending your best player to a seven-year, $100 million deal isn’t the top move, but that’s where we are. Minnesota paid the man and locked Byron Buxton up into the foreseeable future. He represents one of the best talents in baseball when healthy, and keeping him was always going to be a priority.
Buxton is betting on himself with an incentive-laden deal that rewards performance. He can win multiple MVP awards if he can stay on the field, and the questions about whether he’ll break out no longer are present. Buxton was on a torrid pace last season before being hit by a pitch, and there’s been nothing this spring to suggest he won’t pick up where he left off.
Trumping that move was the acquisition of what could be considered baseball’s best free agent. Carlos Correa wound up with the Twins following a hectic few hours. Despite the assumption that Trevor Story would be a target, the sides never came close to a deal, and a pivot to a premier option was made. Correa’s deal could effectively wind up being a one-year pact, albeit the richest infield contract in Major League history, but he’s certainly saying the right things about making a home here.
In needing a shortstop, the front office didn’t just wind up with a defensive-only option as they opted for last season. Correa has won a Gold Glove and brings one of the best power bats at the position. He’s won a World Series and brings a winning mentality to a club looking for a resurgence.
Needing pitching, Minnesota found a partner on the trade market. Sonny Gray could be had for an uncertain, high-velocity prospect with the Cincinnati Reds piecing out their roster. Gray looks the part of former staff ace Jose Berrios, which provides a strong presence at the top of the group. He’s a tested veteran that should be reliable and potentially take a step forward, leaving the hitters haven that is Great American Ballpark.
With depth, a focus following the debacle on the mound last season, Dylan Bundy and Chris Archer represent back-end options tasked with holding serve. Bundy is probably more of a number four than anything, and while Archer has upside if he’s healthy, there are no guarantees as that’s been something alluding him for years.
The bullpen was always going to be rounded out with internal options, and bringing back a healthy Taylor Rogers was necessary. Adding a solid veteran in Joe Smith helps raise the water level as a whole. A couple of hard throwers at the top level of the minors could bolster this group as well.
Swapping out Mitch Garver and Josh Donaldson for Gary Sanchez and Gio Urshela is probably a net negative. Sanchez is not a good defensive catcher, though his bat may find a resurgence of sorts getting out of New York. Urshela had a poor showing in 2021 but was both sick and hurt. Being a good-to-great player at the hot corner in 2019 and 2020 is what the Twins are hoping to see.
Judging the offseason requires the view of substantial give and take. The Opening Day payroll is likely to check in below where it was a season ago, but that’s not for lack of trying. Unfortunately, the Twins sat back again and picked their spots while also focusing on trades. That didn’t work as well with a lockout and left them at the mercy of any partner’s willingness. Spending handsomely on Correa was nice, but allocating the final dollars on the necessary top pitching option never came.
There was the infamous “Have a freaking offseason” tweet last year, and I think there’s probably little denying that this crop is both more exciting and provided plenty of entertainment along the way. Minnesota didn’t need a massive overhaul, as much of the rebound should be expected to come from a lineup capable of being among the game’s best. The pitching is where the focus had to be, and while Gray is a substantial get, he’s not enough on his own. The rotation will primarily be dependent upon the health and effectiveness of the back-end guys.
I still think there’s too much certainty being placed upon Joe Ryan and Bailey Ober; they have a combined 25 Major League starts. Minnesota has a ton of pitching talent at the top levels of the minors, but thrusting them in too early could result in a revolving door.
As currently constructed, this is a team that should be in the hunt for a postseason appearance. The White Sox won’t run away with the division, and further additions by the front office could continue closing the gap. It was a good offseason, but the missing pitching move keeps it from being great.
Grade: B+
What are you giving the Twins for their offseason grade?
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