The Minnesota Twins Are Poised to Reign Over the AL Central

[Minny505]

4 hours ago, William K Johnson said:

Detroit is the team to keep an eye on.   I really like some of their young players, both pitchers and everyday players.    Carpenter, Wierling, Greene on the offensive side, and with a young core of good arms with a few more getting healthy, they are the team that will challenge the Twins going forward.

Both the Tigers and Guardians have good, young pitching, but the offenses are both a few bats away from competing. The Tigers have Cabrera coming off the books and that may make them a player in FA once again.

[laloesch]

pretty good article.  The Guardians will remain competitive I think and Detroit has a start but it will be a while yet for them.  The White Sox are a dumpster fire at the moment and from what i've heard through the grapevine Reinsdorf wants a new stadium with a retractable roof after their lease expires in 2028.

[RpR]

It will be fascinating to see how the current team does in the Post Season, as well how Baldelli juggles the team there.

Who is still around, or is added next spring and season is an unknown; I am quite sure some here will be devastated by who is still here, or becomes part of a different org.

For now, the up coming games is what matters; the future, que sera, sera.

[dex8425]

45 minutes ago, Mortimerkenny21 said:

I wonder what the Twins record is outside the division? I feel like we weren't that terrible besides the Tampa and Atlanta series.

48-45 outside the division. So, .500 if you take out the three games vs oakland. Not bad. 

Vs the other potential AL playoff teams:

2-4 vs Orioles

3-4 vs Boston

4-2 vs Houston

3-4 vs Mariners

0-3 vs Rays

5-2 vs Texas

3-3 vs Blue Jays

[dex8425]

1 minute ago, Minny505 said:

Both the Tigers and Guardians have good, young pitching, but the offenses are both a few bats away from competing. The Tigers have Cabrera coming off the books and that may make them a player in FA once again.

Although the last time they were a big player in FA they signed Javy Baez, who has made them worse. 

[Mike Sixel]

I think if they can secure another good starter this off season, you are correct. Even without that, you might be. 

[Rod Carews Birthday]

40 minutes ago, rv78 said:

I have been a constant critic of this FO, Manager and their philosophy. Even if you hand them the division crown for the next 3 or 4 years they'll have to prove they can compete in the playoffs or those division titles are pretty much meaningless. As many have said before, in any other division they'd probably not make the playoffs. I will give accolades to their hitting prospects they have brought in. Pitching prospects I'm still waiting. The biggest improvement I see that they could make is to stop signing veterans that do not help the team. Gallo has to be the worst addition they have ever done. Correa is 2nd on the list. Buxton extension 3rd. Another article shows how the Twins were willing to bank on Julien, thus trading Arraez. The same could be said for Lewis, He should have been the go to guy at SS instead of giving mega millions to Correa, at least until Lee is ready to take over. Correa's contract was too much for too long with 2 young studs that can play SS in the not so distant future. When given the chance these young guys are performing. Quit giving their at bats away to veterans who can't or don't do the job. 

I am not a big critic of the FO, Manager, philosphy, etc.  I think that they have largely done their jobs and put us in a position to do well.  The team doesn't always do that, but the players have to remain healthy, perform, etc. in order for that to happen. 

Where I do agree with you however, is the tendency to sign veterans and stick with them over their own up and coming players.  I get that it's a conservative approach to not get your team out on a limb with young talent that could go south in a hurry, but they have really been over the top with it.  I'm not sure that I agree that Gallo is the worst thing they've ever done, nor that Correa and Buxton are right behind.  Thinking those things ignores some other fun signings like Sydney Ponson, JA Happ, Matt Shoemaker and the like.  Correa, if he recovers his bat some, might be fine, but Buxton looks to be in some short-, mid-, and long-term trouble.  All that said, when they turn out to be right, like in Max Kepler's situation (never thought I would type that!), it only fuels the fire to stay with the vets. 

You forget that Lewis was recovering from his second major knee surgery this offseason.  I'm glad that the recovery went so well, but that was far from a sure thing.  Hindsight is 20/20. 

[Major League Ready]

I having been saying for a while they are well positioned but we all know how a baseball teams comes together and sustains success is highly unpredictable.  Where I have the most questions would be the next wave of pitching.  Raya and Festa have shown they have a high ceiling but they are not guys that have been consistent.   The top two guys in terms of ceiling are probably Prielipp and Canterino.  They could be an enormous factor but they are high risk.  Then, we have the crop of SPs that started in A ball this year.  They look promising but who knows as they move up.  

The OF also needs a rebuild.  Walner is no sure thing.  Perhaps Lewis in a super utility role or OF role when Lee moves up.  That would help.  Martin might help too but the OF needs a remake if this team is going to be the contender we hope for the next few years.  BTW … I looked at the free agent OFers next year and it does not look good.  I know most people are for using our IF depth to trade for pitching.  I might be easier to trade for an Ofer.  Nobody wants to give up pitching but there has to be a team or two that are deep in OF but need INFers.
 

[Jeff K]

6 hours ago, davidborton said:

Curious. This winter, will the owners privately address the dismal state of AL Central? How might they go about that?

For a professional sport to have a perennially, dismally weak division harms the sport and business (attendance when AL Central opponent visits). AL Central is a laughing stock. It's about time to address that but don't know if or how other owners might take action.

DIVISION	RECORD OUTSIDE DIVISION
AL East	231-164 (.585)
NL East	217-198 (.523)
NL West	209-204 (.506)
AL West	201-204 (.496)
NL Central	195-207 (.485)
AL Central	157-233 (.402)

Your thoughts? db

I assume you are referencing realignment.  The problem with that is geography.  The 2nd worst division is the NL Central.  You could flip Milwaukee and KC and make the two Central divisions more at parity with one another; but it really doesn't solve much.  The AL East is still beastly while the rest of the divisions are substantially below that.

[Dave Borton]

29 minutes ago, Jeff K said:

I assume you are referencing realignment. . .

No, not realignment. If and when MLB expands by two teams, realignment might occur.

I mean the discussions behind the back door, curtains closed when owners speak their minds about what is holding the sport back, whatever minimizes their ticket sales whenever an AL Central club visits their stadium, about the disparity in fielding a competitive environment.

All of these affect their pocketbooks and about that, they are concerned.

[Dave Borton]

4 hours ago, Mortimerkenny21 said:

I wonder what the Twins record is outside the division? I feel like we weren't that terrible besides the Tampa and Atlanta series.

More importantly, what is their record against teams with records >.500.

36-38.

They have improved that number compared to what it was at the All-Star break.

[mikelink45]

10 hours ago, davidborton said:

Curious. This winter, will the owners privately address the dismal state of AL Central? How might they go about that?

For a professional sport to have a perennially, dismally weak division harms the sport and business (attendance when AL Central opponent visits). AL Central is a laughing stock. It's about time to address that but don't know if or how other owners might take action.

DIVISION	RECORD OUTSIDE DIVISION
AL East	231-164 (.585)
NL East	217-198 (.523)
NL West	209-204 (.506)
AL West	201-204 (.496)
NL Central	195-207 (.485)
AL Central	157-233 (.402)

Your thoughts? db

Realignment is the only thing that can address this.  As long as our AL Central group is kept together they are only motivated against one another.

[JD-TWINS]

14 hours ago, JoshDungan1 said:

You mean beyond their franchise disinterest in spending money in free agency? They also need a major upgrade on Myles Straw (and not just because of what happened tonight) in center, dude's never broken a .600 OPS or had an OPS+ above 70 in the two seasons now he's been their primary center fielder. Not a chance in hell they splurge on Cody Bellinger (especially since there's probably a bidding war for him after this rebound season), and there's really not that many other premier center fielders they can go out and get to upgrade.

 

Also if we're being real, outside of Bellinger, next year's outfield free agent class has more speed to it than power or hitting for average. Not that that's necessarily a bad thing, but the Guardians could definitely use a hitter with that extra level of pop to his bat, and I don't think that kind of guy is rolling through the door.

 

Let's be real, they're probably closer to trading away their one remaining good hitter in Ramirez and fully sinking into the suck fest than actually building a consistent lineup. The downside of having an owner that doesn't give a s**t.

I don’t think Terry Francona would work for an owner that doesn’t care. He has a budget - no doubt. They are a proud group.

They had Bell - at some market price. He gave them blah results - sparked the Marlins a bit. They could pick up the CF from Colorado via Angels - Grichuk(?) & Renfroe via Reds……….both affordable options and with Kwan, a solid offensive outfield. Naylor’s can both hit. Rameriz is fantastic - under rated All-Star. A guy like Brantley (Houston this year) as an inexpensive DH?

I assume they have somebody that’s not a pitcher that’s a decent prospect in their system. I am not saying they are a guy away from the ‘27 Yankees but I am saying they aren’t that far from being a playoff potential team. Pitching wins and they have young arms.

The fact that Francona seems 90% of the way out the door hurts them the most next year.

Not terribly fearful of the Guardians but they have a chance to be decent in ‘24. Will they spend $30-$40M? Their current payroll can’t be much more than $60M.

[JD-TWINS]

10 hours ago, davidborton said:

Curious. This winter, will the owners privately address the dismal state of AL Central? How might they go about that?

For a professional sport to have a perennially, dismally weak division harms the sport and business (attendance when AL Central opponent visits). AL Central is a laughing stock. It's about time to address that but don't know if or how other owners might take action.

DIVISION	RECORD OUTSIDE DIVISION
AL East	231-164 (.585)
NL East	217-198 (.523)
NL West	209-204 (.506)
AL West	201-204 (.496)
NL Central	195-207 (.485)
AL Central	157-233 (.402)

Your thoughts? db

Past 40 years the mid-market/small-market teams in the AL Central have won 5 World Series Championships. 12.5% of them………6 divisions now, 16.6% would be totally balanced outcome. We are poor as a Division now because Reinsdorf is ancient, lost touch - KC doesn’t seem to care about record - Detroit is nearly a continual rebuild - Cleveland (sniffed a Series Win for years) seems too frugal now to win a Championship. The Guardians will remain competitive but maybe not strong enough?

Twins seem to be headed in right direction both with young talent on the scene now - more young talent over the next 2-3 years - proper spending. Willingness to spend & be patient both - needed traits in the FO.

I don’t see doom & gloom in the AL Central going forward.

[JD-TWINS]

6 hours ago, Rod Carews Birthday said:

I am not a big critic of the FO, Manager, philosphy, etc.  I think that they have largely done their jobs and put us in a position to do well.  The team doesn't always do that, but the players have to remain healthy, perform, etc. in order for that to happen. 

Where I do agree with you however, is the tendency to sign veterans and stick with them over their own up and coming players.  I get that it's a conservative approach to not get your team out on a limb with young talent that could go south in a hurry, but they have really been over the top with it.  I'm not sure that I agree that Gallo is the worst thing they've ever done, nor that Correa and Buxton are right behind.  Thinking those things ignores some other fun signings like Sydney Ponson, JA Happ, Matt Shoemaker and the like.  Correa, if he recovers his bat some, might be fine, but Buxton looks to be in some short-, mid-, and long-term trouble.  All that said, when they turn out to be right, like in Max Kepler's situation (never thought I would type that!), it only fuels the fire to stay with the vets. 

You forget that Lewis was recovering from his second major knee surgery this offseason.  I'm glad that the recovery went so well, but that was far from a sure thing.  Hindsight is 20/20. 

When CC was hitting .290 in ‘22 he was everybody’s darling. When Buxton almost won the MVP in the All-Star game in ‘22 he was everybody’s darling.

HINDSIGHT is 20/20…….the FO doesn’t have a Crystal Ball……..Kepler (wanted him gone big time in early June) is playing fantastic baseball. He’s actually a guy, maybe THE guy I want to come up now in clutch situations. Like a different player!

Gallo is a terrible hitter! Total lack of ability to make any adjustments that may help …….extremely versatile on Defense…..couple homers early in first half helped win a few games. He needs to go soon but with Kirilloff out, he’s not going anywhere. immediately.

FO is tough job - make choices with info in front of you & then hope for the best for 6-7 months.

Solano - Taylor - Farmer - Vazquez have brought veteran depth needed on a winning team. Not been perfect but has been pretty damn good.

[JD-TWINS]

4 hours ago, Jeff K said:

I assume you are referencing realignment.  The problem with that is geography.  The 2nd worst division is the NL Central.  You could flip Milwaukee and KC and make the two Central divisions more at parity with one another; but it really doesn't solve much.  The AL East is still beastly while the rest of the divisions are substantially below that.

AL West is pretty good…….Angels have a healthy Ohtani & Trout & Rodon (3rd baseman?) & they can compete with anyone. The A’s have quit………….Rangers - Astros - Mariners can all really play!!!!!

[KirbyDome89]

Yep, they're in a good spot, and it's 100% because of this awful ****ing division somehow became even worse.  

Cleveland is writing the same article last year though, no? Kwan, Gimenez, Josh Naylor, the pitching, yada yada the future is now!

Idk why we need to go over the top with so much of this....

No, the Twins didn't run away with anything this season. Games remaining + Cleveland's August slide did most of the heavy lifting, but congrats on losing the season series to the Guardians by only one game I guess. Hell, the Twins wouldn't even be a post expansion WC team right now despite the massive divisional/schedule advantage. 

MN imploded each of the last two seasons (while trying to win) and missed the playoffs, but we're touting sustainability? Seriously? We're patting the FO on the back for fulfilling that "vision," and talking about dynasties? C'mon.....

Remember when "crushing it," became a meme? I do.....

[Nine of twelve]

Are the Twins about to become an ALC dynasty? I’m not about to jinx anything by answering that. Are the Twins more likely than the other four teams to do that? Well, yes, I think they are, at least that’s how it looks through my rose-colored glasses of optimism.

[Linus]

They do have a core of good young players and a starting rotation that should be pretty good going forward. Totally disagree they have a star studded farm system. I actually think it’s kind of weak especially in the pitching department. I think the key will be if they adapt their philosophy on lineup and bullpen construction which I believe are flawed. The lineup concerns may be going away with the integration of the good young players who are more well rounded hitters than what we have seen. However the pitching concerns me as we still need more and there ain’t much on the farm. That means more trades which are fine if they work. 

[Jeff K]

14 hours ago, JD-TWINS said:

AL West is pretty good…….Angels have a healthy Ohtani & Trout & Rodon (3rd baseman?) & they can compete with anyone. The A’s have quit………….Rangers - Astros - Mariners can all really play!!!!!

That's fine, but the Angels are classic underachievers and this still doesn't solve the issue in the AL Central.

[Morland]

I expect that if the Twins think that Julien is viable long term that they will trade Polanco and some of their corner outfielders (Larnach, etc.) for pitching this winter. They'll certainly let Gallo leave without an offer. Hopefully they can work out a deal with Grey to stay.

[Woof Bronzer]

Just came across this article randomly.  LOL.