The Twins will not make the wild card this year

[twinssporto]

 

 

 

Let me begin by apologizing for the click bait.  Although my thread title is misleading it's hopefully factually correct.  I highly doubt the Twins will take up a wild card spot this year...I fully anticipate the Twins taking the division title.

 

I know there are others that will think this is overly optimistic and possibly arrogant but this team has some really good reasons why they can eclipse the other teams in the division including Cleveland.  Some of these include:

 

1. Offense.  This lineup could be scary good.  I know some of these guys need to maintain the momentum they created last year but I don't see a reason for a lot of regression from anyone.  (see point #8 below)

 

2. Speed.  Fastest team in baseball baby!

 

3. Starting Pitching. I still can't believe we have an average to decent pitching staff.  Do I dare say stability?

 

4. Bull Pen.  Huge improvement over last year.  Again, stability, reliability?

 

5. Depth.  We have some great arms just waiting for an opportunity to fill a gap in case injury or performance issues arrive.

 

6. Youth. This is still a very young team.  Its the young teams in baseball that are going deep into the playoffs.

 

7. Momentum.  So much momentum at the end of the season last year! I believe these guys are truly excited and think they can contend with anyone in the league.

 

8. Motivation. You have a number of guys who will be free agents next year.  Would love to see the stats but guys usually have big years prior to their free agent year.  Here's looking to you Dozier, Mauer, Lynn...Then you have the young guys.  They would love to get an extended signing and see some big bucks too. Here's looking to you Rosario, Buxton, Kepler, Polanco and Sano.

 

9. Payroll.  Lots of money coming off the books next year.  If the Twins are really rolling in July I fully expect the front office boy wonders to pick up a trade deadline stud to fill any issues that may arise.

 

10. I don't really have a #10 to add at the moment.  I'll leave that up to you guys.

 

Now I'm going to go back to my Sunday morning coffee and look out over my snow covered back yard and dream a little about the coming green grass, opening day and a winning baseball team. 

 

Go Twins!

 

[Riverbrian]

 

 

Let me begin by apologizing for the click bait.  

 

At least I didn't have to continually hit the next button. 

 

The Twins will win the AL CENTRAL!!! 

 

Wild Card is in the rear view mirror. 

[laloesch]

Why does Twinsdaily allow this?  Click bait is clear deception by the author of this post and it's not productive.  

[bighat]

Funny title, great optimism!  I'm a bit more guarded in my prediction, but I've been a Twins fan for a long time...and as a native Minnesotan, I don't want to get TOO excited here.

 

Is this the year Buxton becomes Mike Trout?

[twinsfanstreif]

After reading the title I was about to bring out the pitch forks. But alas it was a misdirect. I'm all aboard the Homer train!!!! Win Twins!!!!

[ashbury]

Why does Twinsdaily allow this?  Click bait is clear deception by the author of this post and it's not productive.  

If you find a problem with someone's post, please use the Report button rather than inject moderation policy into the thread itself.

 

That said, please don't overuse the Report button either. It seems like this post's title was meant for a humorous effect (since the writer explained the joke in the first sentence) and so as to underline his actual point, rather than for some kind of malicious purpose. It would be like if I said the headline isn't funny... it's hilarious! With regard to clickbait, I think most readers can usually separate the reputation of the site from the views of an individual poster. I wouldn't want to see a ton of that kind of thing here, as any joke can be run into the ground, but this instance passes muster for me. Had you clicked the Report button, you likely would have received a reply like this.

[jimmer]

 

Funny title, great optimism!  I'm a bit more guarded in my prediction, but I've been a Twins fan for a long time...and as a native Minnesotan, I don't want to get TOO excited here.

 

Is this the year Buxton becomes Mike Trout?

Trout is a once in a generation player.  He could very well be the best player who has played in many if not most of our lifetimes. He's certainly very much in the conversation.

 

Let's let Buxton be Buxton and not put that kind of pressure on him.

[MaxOelerking]

I love the optimism, but unless Sano hits 40 homers and Berrios wins 20 games, the Indians are still much better than the Twins. Yonder Alonso will be a great replacement for Santana at 1B, plus CLE has some dominant pitchers in Kluber, Carrasco, Bauer, Allen, and Miller.

[MaxOelerking]

 

Funny title, great optimism!  I'm a bit more guarded in my prediction, but I've been a Twins fan for a long time...and as a native Minnesotan, I don't want to get TOO excited here.

 

Is this the year Buxton becomes Mike Trout?

Mike Trout is like the Mickey Mantle of our era...so no, unfortunately. 

[tarheeltwinsfan]

 

Mike Trout is like the Mickey Mantle of our era...so no, unfortunately. 

I'm comfortable letting Trout be Trout and Buck be Buck. 

[Danchat]

Yeah, I could see them winning the division. It might take a few injuries to the Indians but I think they're well within striking distance. I just see them having a hard time making a deep run because the Astros are so good and the Yankees are intimidating too. But we'll worry about them when we get there.

[Doomtints]

I would rather have them miss the playoffs than make the playoffs and get swept again.

[jimbo92107]

10. Romero, Gonsalves, Mejia, May, and possibly others. All young guys, at least a couple possible studs, all four knocking on the door this season. Mejia and May both have survived at the MLB level, looking to improve. Romero has ace stuff. Gonsalves could be an innings-eating horse. 

 

11. Duffey could develop his third pitch. I recommend a devastating change-up, a la Trevor Hoffman. 

[yarnivek1972]

I'm comfortable letting Trout be Trout and Buck be Buck.

Not to sidetrack, but not sure I like this nickname for Buxton. Brings back too many Brian Buchanan memories.

[jkcarew]

You lost me at...

 

2. Speed.  Fastest team in baseball baby!

 

This is....really optimistic.

[ashbury]

I would rather have them miss the playoffs than make the playoffs and get swept again.

How do you know whether you'll get swept in the playoffs, unless you make it to the playoffs at all?

[snepp]

 

How do you know whether you'll get swept in the playoffs, unless you make it to the playoffs at all?

 

Depends if they'll be playing the Yankees or not.

 

[Richie the Rally Goat]

You lost me at...

 

2. Speed. Fastest team in baseball baby!

 

This is....really optimistic.

https://www.mlb.com/news/statcast-ranks-mlbs-fastest-teams/c-267809528

[DocBauer]

I was about ready to bring the pitchforks out also Twinsfan, lol.

 

I live the optimism! And I definitely think thjs is a contending team, division winner or not.

 

Jumbo, love your #10 point and agree whole heartedly!

 

Just being a pragmatist, my concern is Santana being out too long and the loss of Polanco. Santana comes back as scheduled, the rotation will be fine with Gibson as the #5. Longer? I see some concern as it jts a daily marathon, not a sprint, and someone...other than Hughes I dare say...needs to step up. I LOVE Polanco! And I really think he was poised for a nice year. I think the Twins can compensate with Escobar and Adrianza, but it shortens the bench and options and that concerns me some. Flat out, they are a better team overall with Polanco.

 

HOWEVER, a full season of Sano and continued development of a mostly young, talented and potentially dynamic roster, plus the addition of Morrison should mitigate.

 

Berrios will take a step forward. Lynn is a quality veteran moving leagues, but also a year removed from surgery. Odorizzi is playing for a better team, finished 2017 very strong, and is just entering his prime years. When Gibson as your #5 SP, coming off his second half of 2017 and a strong ST...ignoring his last tune-up start...is your biggest worry, the rotation looks solid. There is young, talented depth to call on instead of street or AAAA fodder.

 

Unless there is mass injury or guys just blowing up...the wrong kind of blowing up...this is a better team than last season.

 

My hunch/guess? Still a lot of young guys and new additions and the team plays decent ball but flounder just a bit the first month or so, playing around .500 ball or a bit better. As the temperature rises, so do the results. The young talent starts to find their groove, the vets heat up...looking at you Dozier...Santana comes back, the pen fits in to their roles, the entire roster begins to coalesce, and they give the Indians a real run for their money from about June on.

[jkcarew]

 

https://www.mlb.com/news/statcast-ranks-mlbs-fastest-teams/c-267809528

Below is a story from middle of last year using the same data that doesn't have the Twins in the top 3.  The delta's in the data are so small, that you get different results based on how you slice it.

 

But that's beside the point.  In terms of base running we are good, but not elite, and in terms of defensive range we are elite in only in the outfield.  Fwiw, we can assume our infield range will be very average (hopefully) this year.

 

https://www.mlb.com/news/padres-and-marlins-are-mlbs-fastest-teams/c-239557506

[Richie the Rally Goat]

Below is a story from middle of last year using the same data that doesn't have the Twins in the top 3. The delta's in the data are so small, that you get different results based on how you slice it.

 

But that's beside the point. In terms of base running we are good, but not elite, and in terms of defensive range we are elite in only in the outfield. Fwiw, we can assume our infield range will be very average (hopefully) this year.

 

https://www.mlb.com/news/padres-and-marlins-are-mlbs-fastest-teams/c-239557506

The point is wild-eyed optimism of which the OP oozes in every word of their post. You questioned the validity of their point, I provided the article they referenced. Point is... we’re close to opening day, let’s get excited.

 

 

Parsing semantics, range is not a measurement of speed. Many things go into range including speed. As we’ve all seen Buck, Kepler and Rosario take circuitous routes to the ball, their range is hindered by their limited experience. With another year and new coaches, that should improve.

 

I’m feeling optimistic!

[jimmer]

Buxton's range is limited by circuitous routes?  Sounds like one is describing Revere when he was here not  so much Buxton. Buxton is already the best fielding CF in the game and every fielder takes a bad route on occasion.  I shudder to think of how good his defense will be after more experience.

 

Buton's range is limited by OF walls and him running into corner OF :-)

[laloesch]

 

If you find a problem with someone's post, please use the Report button rather than inject moderation policy into the thread itself.

 

That said, please don't overuse the Report button either. It seems like this post's title was meant for a humorous effect (since the writer explained the joke in the first sentence) and so as to underline his actual point, rather than for some kind of malicious purpose. It would be like if I said the headline isn't funny... it's hilarious! With regard to clickbait, I think most readers can usually separate the reputation of the site from the views of an individual poster. I wouldn't want to see a ton of that kind of thing here, as any joke can be run into the ground, but this instance passes muster for me. Had you clicked the Report button, you likely would have received a reply like this.

 

Hilarious?  Okay....

[ashbury]

Hilarious?  Okay....

I did say, "if". I almost put in an asterisk, for a footnote, to say that actually saying it would be stretching the point.

[laloesch]

 

I did say, "if". I almost put in an asterisk, for a footnote, to say that actually saying it would be stretching the point.

 

Well you did say humorous earlier in the post

[jkcarew]

 

The point is wild-eyed optimism of which the OP oozes in every word of their post. You questioned the validity of their point, I provided the article they referenced. Point is... we’re close to opening day, let’s get excited.


Parsing semantics, range is not a measurement of speed. Many things go into range including speed. As we’ve all seen Buck, Kepler and Rosario take circuitous routes to the ball, their range is hindered by their limited experience. With another year and new coaches, that should improve.

I’m feeling optimistic!

Good point.  In that spirit, I'll say that while the Twins posses the speed tool, using their speed on offense still represents a big opportunity.   Which is a good thing.

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

Buxton's range is limited by circuitous routes?  Sounds like one is describing Revere when he was here not  so much Buxton. Buxton is already the best fielding CF in the game and every fielder takes a bad route on occasion.  I shudder to think of how good his defense will be after more experience.

 

Buton's range is limited by OF walls and him running into corner OF :-)

 

I suspect the thought has more to do with Buxton's speed making up for less than stellar route running. I can buy that to an extent. Even guys like Hunter had to adjust as they got older. I haven't seen enough of Buxton to make a definitive call there myself to be honest. With Buck though, I'm more concerned about the CF wall and other outfielders.

[bird]

 

I would rather have them miss the playoffs than make the playoffs and get swept again.

 

Are you excluding the very real possibility that they could make the playoffs and NOT get swept?

[Number3]

All I know is what happened the season after the last winning season they had. It is a long season , as the famous Jim Brosnan said, and I will be happy if they are in playoff contention when Sep 1 rolls around. 90 wins would be a nice goal but everything will have to go right for that to happen.

[bird]

 

10. Romero, Gonsalves, Mejia, May, and possibly others. All young guys, at least a couple possible studs, all four knocking on the door this season. Mejia and May both have survived at the MLB level, looking to improve. Romero has ace stuff. Gonsalves could be an innings-eating horse. 

 

11. Duffey could develop his third pitch. I recommend a devastating change-up, a la Trevor Hoffman. 

 

 

Yeah, I think Cleveland fans can point to most of twinssporto's nine points as reason for optimism too. Most experts would probably say Cleveland's every day lineup is a tad better than the Twin's, and you might find evaluators who like their sixth starter, Cleavenger, as much as they like any of our starters with the possiible and arguable exception of Berrios.

 

If each team, because of injuries, requires 8 different starters to give the team 10 starts or more? Then I think the playing field evens up, because depth is probably the one advantage the Twins have in every way except catching. Starters, relievers, infield, outfield, and bench- the Twins have better depth, I think.