A successful 2013

[stringer bell]

The club has not looked very encouraging in spring training. Specifically, the starting rotation has been poor and the last spots in the bullpen look like they will be won by default. I am not optimistic about a contender coming out of what the Twins have, at least not in 2013. Let's remember a few things: 1) It is spring training. Guys with their spots assured are not so concerned about results as they may be about working on a third pitch, or hitting the ball the other way etc. 2) The Twins are starting the season with five guys who haven't been big league starters for a full year. This year is about three or four or all five establishing themselves as major league regulars. Perhaps the Twins can get lucky and all five will establish themselves, more likely one or two fail. IMHO, if three players seize their position, it will be a success. 3) The Twins carried exactly one starter from 2012 into 2013. My criteria for success in the starting pitching department is establishing two more, bringing the total of starters pencilled in for 2014 to 3. 4) I expect good up-the-middle defense for the 2013 Twins. Hicks has the tools to be outstanding, Florimon and Dozier have shown good range with a few fine plays in ST, and a healthy Mauer could reclaim his Gold Glove. The corners--not so much--but if the guys catch the ball and throw combined with good middle of the diamond "D", that will be an improvement. 5) The final criteria for success should be improvement in the win column. I think the team needs to win in the 72-78 range to be considered successful in that area.

[Steve Penz]

I like this post. Thank you. I like the forward thinking and for that reason I am watching the trade bait situations. It will make me sad but they are reality and healthy for the team. It will be successful if they Twins can make 2 mid-season trades for some prospects. That could be Mourneau, Parmalee, Willingham, Doumit, Carroll, etc. Who knows who could go but if they do that means they had a good first half and it made them attractive to other teams. We will get to have fun watching them while we can, hopefully TR can get some good returns to help '14 and beyond, and it will open doors for some younger players to get MLB playing time.

[ashbury]

I think a successful season will be marked in part by a few more wins, but more importantly that pieces of a winning 2015 squad will become visible. Hicks having a solid rookie season in CF for example. Parmelee breaking out. Dozier breaking out. Escobar breaking out. A mid-season rookie promotion panning out. One of the pitching acquisitions doing so well that a contract extension seems right. Oh, one other criterion for success is to stop the decline in home attendance, because that's harmful to the long term success as well; you can't foster a successful franchise with a fanbase full of front-runners.

[zakprior]

Great posts! I agree with all of the above statements, and that really for 2013 the twin need to focus on keeping people interested in baseball so when the prospects come around people will want to go to Target Field. Of the 5 players you say, I am hopeful 3 can have good years. I do however think you are hopeful with that upside win total, I would say 72 would be upside.

 

The only issue for me this year is that I know if every player has their maximum potential season, and plays at max output (which obviously will not happen with every player on the team) this team still would not be able to compete within the AL. I guess that's why this is a rebuilding year. I love baseball enough that watching this year to see development is enough for me. With my MLB.tv subscription in the UK I will be tuning into every Twins game (maybe not every one, but most).