Front Page: 3 Players the Twins Need to Take a Step Forward in 2020

[FlauerPauer]

I'd like to see Arraez take a step forward. I'd like to see him sure-up his defense and take some more walks. It'd be nice to see him increase his gap power as well. He was a real catalyst last year, but also hit A LOT of singles. Hitting more doubles will allow him to score more runs which in turn makes him a much more valuable player. 

 

As mentioned before, Polanco definitely needs to take a step forward defensively. I always felt nervous when there was a big out needed and the ball was hit to short. Would be nice to cut about a 1/3 of his errors into outs. 

 

Be nice to see Rogers figure out what made him so susceptible to his struggles on back to back appearances. Would be even more of a weapon if he was more reliable on day two of pitching.  

[Bric]

Here's where the thinking is wrong. Yes, you want to see guys improve, but let me ask one question. If the offense played at the same level would we be OK? A record setting HR hitting team doing that again? Undoubtedly we'd be OK. There's one place this team needs improvement and that's pitching. Berrios needs to become a dominant ace, if he doesn't then the Twins made the wrong move not trading him. Odo needs consistency. 7+ 3 runs or less,. The two things along with filling a mid reliever or another starter. Graterol throws upper 90"s get control and consistency from him and you have that hard throwing bullpen member they haven't had in years. Championships throughout history have been won by pitching much more than offense.

[dex8425]

 

When using the word "need", I would say Dobnak, Smeltzer and Thorpe as things currently stand.

Exactly what I was going to say. 

[twinfan]

While I can agree that Berrios and especially Buxton need to move ahead in their careers and Buxton needs to stay on the field, I feel it is more important that players like Garver, Arraez and Rogers come close to what they did in 2019. They each had breakout seasons that they never had before and need to come close to that in 2020- especially Garver. A recession is expected but hopefully not a big one.

[Rosterman]

I hate to think that Kepler, Polanco and Rosario played the best they ever will. Might have a spike up for a season. But consistentcy is the key and can expect it from them at this point.

 

Buxton needs to stay healthy. But he may be bypassed soon by others in the organization.

 

Sano, so to speak, is the elephant in the room. Do you commit? You know he won't play third forever. Is he your best bet for first abse for a season or two? Do you think he can become a David Ortiz designated hitter with same sort of salary demands? 

 

At some point the Twins need to make decision on moving forward with these guys or trding them off and letting other teams worry.

 

Berrios is the real deal. BUT he may not be the #1 pitcher we need of think he is longterm. Right now, he would be MY priority to sign for 3-5 seasons. After that, he will be a $200+ million pitcher or not.