cHawk

After consecutive seasons of anticipation and ultimate disappointment, Twins fans find themselves in a position of uncertainty. What direction does S.S. Falvine appear to be heading? What changes await in this direction? Will the vessel come upon a World Series title in its journey? Or will it forever circulate the triangle of mediocrity? These questions haunted Twins fans throughout the land in the early winter. Uncertainty surrounding the return of star shortstop Carlos Correa raised late autumn trepidation in Twins territory. Exhibited inactivity from Captain Falvey and Captain Levine in the season of advent sparked further discontent and disarray. This pattern of sightings was not unfamiliar to Twins fans, who had witnessed their fair share of underwhelming "impact pitchers," including JA Happ, Homer Bailey, Dylan Bundy, Chris Archer, and Matt Shoemaker. Fans slowly rose in arms, and the addition of outfielder Joey Gallo hardly appeased the crowd. In mid-December, all hope appeared lost, as Minnesota's prized shortstop had signed a gargantuan contract with the San Francisco Giants. However, through a remarkable series of unlikely events, Minnesota reclaimed their shortstop, signing him to a long-term contract. Not long after, they acquired starting pitcher Pablo Lopez from the Miami Marlins to significantly improve their starting rotation. Unfortunately, Lopez wasn't without cost. The Twins were forced to part with Reigning American League Batting Champion Luis Arraez. Minnesota will not only place their faith on the addition of Pablo Lopez, but also on improved health, to improve their starting rotation in 2023. While the addition of Lopez is significant, the Twins will also receive the services of Kenta Maeda in 2023, who had missed eighteen months due to recovery from Tommy John surgery, and Tyler Mahle, who missed the final month of the 2022 season with shoulder injury. A rotation of Pablo Lopez, Sonny Gray, Joe Ryan, Tyler Mahle, and Kenta Maeda appears promising. While the starting rotation appears improved, question marks fly high around the starting lineup, which will be without the reigning American League batting champion. They will look to sluggers Byron Buxton and Carlos Correa to maintain good health and also to prospects such as Royce Lewis, Alex Kirilloff, and others who will see the field again after missing time due to injury. The season ahead is a pivotal one for both Falvine and manager Rocco Baldelli. The ship has drifted more and more into the incorrect direction over the past two years. If it continues to drift in that direction, Twins fans must seriously question the competence of those managing their team. Can officers Derek Falvey, Thad Levine, and Rocco Baldelli pilot the ship out of the triangle of mediocrity? Or is it their fate to never leave? We will know the answer in November 2023. cHawk's ("Optimistic Homer") Predictions for 2023: vs. White Sox: 7-6 vs. Guardians: 7-6 vs. Tigers: 8-5 vs. Royals: 9-4 vs. Orioles: 5-1 vs. Red Sox: 4-3 vs. Rays: 4-2 vs. Blue Jays: 2-4 vs. Yankees: 1-6 vs. Astros: 1-5 vs. Angels: 4-2 vs. Athletics: 6-0 vs. Mariners: 3-4 vs. Rangers: 5-2 vs. Braves: 2-1 vs. Marlins: 2-1 vs. Mets: 1-2 vs. Phillies: 2-1 vs. Nationals: 3-0 vs. Reds: 3-0 vs. Cubs: 2-1 vs. Brewers: 3-1 vs. Pirates: 2-1 vs. Cardinals: 1-2 vs. Diamondbacks: 2-1 vs. Rockies: 3-0 vs. Dodgers: 0-3 vs. Padres: 1-2 vs. Giants: 2-1 Total: 95-67, 1st place in the American League Central Division

The only baseball teams I presently "hate" are the Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Guardians, New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, and Houston Astros. All of those teams have to their name at least one of the following: - Horribly behaved fans (Yankees, Red Sox, and White Sox) - A cheating scandal (Astros and Red Sox) - Division rivalry with my favorite team (Guardians and White Sox)

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Buxton's absence will be a bigger ailment on the team than any other injuries listed in the article, as I didn't notice any mention of Carlos Correa, Sonny Gray, Pablo Lopez, or Jhoan Duran. Taylor is a backup. Oftentimes backups do not easily fill in the shoes of starters. His offensive ceiling is approximately the height of the IDS Center shorter than that of Buxton.

What are you even arguing? None of the points you are presenting refute the fact that San Diego, a statistically smaller market than Minneapolis-St. Paul, is able to maintain a Top 10 payroll. If a team with fewer dollars inputted into it than the Twins is able to maintain a Top 10 payroll, why can’t the Twins do it too?

On a computer I believe this still exists.

That is one fine dog!

In the two previous seasons, our Minnesota Twins have fallen dramatically short of our expectations. Sought as a division-winner, possible World Series contender in 2021 and a potential division winner in 2022, the Twins have finished under .500 both seasons, leaving us fans in disappointment, disgust, and disarray. Our favorite team hopes to break its two-year playoff drought in 2023, and they've demonstrated that by making several additions to the team this past offseason. Offseason additions include SP Pablo Lopez, OF Joey Gallo, and OF Michael A. Taylor. The team was also able to resign SS Carlos Correa. Finally, SP/RP Kenta Maeda, SS Royce Lewis, OF Alex Kirilloff, and others will be healthy and ready to contribute again in 2023. However, they did lose one major piece this past offseason: IF Luis Arraez. Arraez is reigning American League Batting Champion, and the Twins lineup could possibly suffer without him. That being said, they could also receive a boost from Lewis, Kirilloff, and others who will return healthy. How many games do you see your favorite baseball team winning in 2023 and why? cHawk's prediction: More than 95 (because I'm an optimistic homer)

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/02/twins-to-sign-donovan-solano.html

A realistic expectation for Dobnak would be that he is able to get 3-6 outs in a 7-run game. If Falvine rely on him for anything beyond that, they are asking for trouble. He was a good pitcher for about two months back in the Summer of 2020. That stretch was clearly the exception, not the rule. Any positive impact Dobnak makes for the Twins this year should be looked at as a bonus, not as a foundation for the team's success.

Hell no.

How can you have Rally Monkey as an option but not Rally Goat?

I am sure Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert, Joe Burrow, Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, Trevor Lawrence, Aaron Rodgers, and Jalen Hurts are all better than Cousins. That's only eight, but close enough.

Yuk.

How come? If we were playing Houston I would agree with you but the Yankees’ pitching staff was nothing special in 2019. Scoring 2.3 runs/game against that pitching staff wasn’t something any of us expected.

I think they'll start Lopez on Opening Day given that he's their new acquisition. I could see Gray or Ryan too.

I can’t imagine the Arizona job being that attractive.

I can confidently state that I’m pleased with our starting five, specifically that we won’t be relying on the likes of Bundy, Archer, Happ, and Shoemaker. That said, if injuries cut through our rotation like a hot knife through butter (again) it won’t look the slightest bit better. Varland, Woods-Richardson, and Balazovic have zero major league experience. If three of five spots in our rotation are occupied by those three at any point we will NOT be in good shape, I guarantee you. As far as how our rotation stacks up against the rest of the central, Cleveland is far superior in this regard. They’re more top heavy and their depth is better. Unless injuries cut through their rotation like a hot knife through butter, we won’t see a large portion of their AAA pitchers. As for the White Sox, Giolito was below average last year. He’s a question mark. Only two of their pitchers in which you listed (Lynn and Cease) were above average last year. I’ll take our rotation over that of Detroit and KC. We should be in good shape for 2023. It would, of course, be nice if we had a bonafide ace.

Concur with Cory Engelhardt. Given the increased rotation depth, I imagine that the rotation will get a heavier load this year. Will they add an arm before opening day? Maybe. Will it be of much significance? I imagine not.

Declining RP on the wrong side of 30? Hmm, that sounds somewhat familiar. I’ll pass.

Let’s hope the depth we’ve built will be enough. Injuries went through our roster like a hot knife through butter last year.

I could see it happening. They won't be sacking Jalen Hurts five times, and their offense definitely won't have an easier time against the Eagles' defense than they did against the Bengals' defense.

They're currently favored by 2 points I believe.