Twins

Gio Urshela has certainly been serviceable with the Twins this season but enters an uncertain offseason. With one more year of arbitration to run through, will the Twins bring him back in 2023?

It was last November when it was finally time to end the “Pay the Man!” campaign. Minnesota came up with $100 million to make sure that Byron Buxton would essentially play out his career in the same uniform. That was a steal then, and even more so after free agency developments this past week.

The Minnesota Twins outfielders coined a phrase “Nothing Falls but Raindrops” a few seasons ago, and while it was fitting, none of them knew what was coming. This collection could be the best in the sport, and it may not even be close.

Joe Nathan gets his first shot at the Hall of Fame this season. His case for Cooperstown might be stronger than you think, and here is why…

The Twins Opening Day roster is becoming more and more clear by the day, and could continue to change as we go forward. Lefty Danny Coulombe has made the roster. He was added to the 40-man roster this morning. Catcher Jose Godoy was DFAd to make room, but there is a new catcher in the organization. Two other players were assigned to minor-league camp. 

After a challenging week, the Twins and Twins fans alike are seeking relief. Hopefully they can find some in the TD forums.

Not ideal.

After last offseason, it was hard not to be shocked by the sheer amount of money that was thrown around to free agents. Now with still over 100 players to be signed this winter, it’s clear we are going to blow by those values again. On the pitching front, it benefits the Minnesota Twins to have depth.

We can debate who should or shouldn’t be inducted into Cooperstown based on transgressions or the dreaded character clause. Still, there’s no denying that the Baseball Writers Association of America could vote in the single greatest class in Major League Baseball history.

Max Kepler has been a mainstay in the Twins lineup since 2016. Over that time, he has become one of the popular heartthrob faces on the Twins and a clutch power hitter among many. Still, 2021 was a down year for Kepler. What can he prove in 2022 to show his performance from last year was only a fluke?

Minnesota’s pitching staff has started the year off strongly, but multiple unexpected arms have contributed this season. Devin Smeltzer is on the road back to prove he belongs at the MLB level.

The Twins bullpen is unforgivably bad, and it’s cost them dearly over the past week. As the starting rotation has mostly held up recently, it’s time to hit the panic button and start evaluating some of the starting depth in AAA for a bullpen role.