What are your realistic expectations for the Twins in 2016?

[USAFChief]

Undecided.

 

But if nothing more is done to improve the team, it's hard to realistically see a playoff team.

[nicksaviking]

I picked the team to finish third, though the record could be similar.

 

With no negativity intended, I think this team needs to fix the strikeout problem from both the pitchers and the offense before they can get over the hump.

 

Mostly the pitchers.

[Rosterman]

I am still uncomfortable on how the starting rotation will holdup against the others in the division. We have some solid arms, but really need a #1.

 

The bullpen, right now, is still a shambles. My hope is that the rotation will get us into the 7th inning more often than not.

 

You worry about the soph slump of Rosario and where do we play Sano.

 

Mauer!

 

 

[jorgenswest]

I have only seen two sets of projections (Steamer and Bill James) but the Twins starting roatation looks to be inferior to the other rotations in the central. They put themselves in this position by signing mediocre aging free agents to long term contracts. The commitment makes it more difficult to improve the situation and it is hard to imagine a team finishing above third in the division when they other teams have better rotations.

[Brock Beauchamp]

I have only seen two sets of projections (Steamer and Bill James) but the Twins starting roatation looks to be inferior to the other rotations in the central. They put themselves in this position by signing mediocre aging free agents to long term contracts. The commitment makes it more difficult to improve the situation and it is hard to imagine a team finishing above third in the division when they other teams have better rotations.

Well, they managed to take second place in 2015 with that same rotation and a bunch of rookies in the lineup.

 

The 2016 Twins could be a 75 win team or they could be an 88 win team. It's too early in the offseason and there are too many question marks on the roster to make any kind of realistic projection.

[kab21]

 

The team over-achieved last year (whether by exceeding their ability or by luck).  Even with the possible increased production from Buxton, Park, and Murphy and full years from Santana, Rosario, Sano, and Jepsen, I expect any gains to be offset by worse luck and regression (esp. from Rosario and Sano).    Unless our luck continues, we should hover around .500 and compete for a wildcard.   X-factor is Berrios; if he can emerge as a top of rotation arm, the Twins playoff hopes substantially improve.

This is pretty much where the team is at.  It is young, it has upside but there will still be bumps in the road due to the team being young. 

[jimmer]

1/2 the playoff teams this year were younger than the Twins this year including the youngest team in baseball.  Of those five, two were division winners and two others had the 2nd and 3rd best record on baseball.  Can we really just blame it on youth if we don't make the playoffs?

[Kirby_waved_at_me]

I think they overacheived a bit last year. Don't get me wrong, I hoped for a winning record, and I hope for the playoffs this season. If I am being realistic, though, I think they will have a tough time repeating May of last year, which ended up being a big chunk of the wins for the season.

 

I think realistically they will finish just shy of the playoffs again this season.

 

I think a realistic goal for the team would be to make the playoffs this season - if they make a couple more moves to strengthen the pitching, and a few things break in their favor, they could reasonably lay claim to a wild card spot.