When Was the Last Time the Twins Had a Good Defense?

[Cody Christie]

Image courtesy of Joy R Absalon, USA Today

Defense doesn't always receive the attention that home runs and strikeouts do, but it has quietly been one of the biggest issues for the 2026 Twins. Last week, I looked at the club's SABR Defensive Index totals through games played in early June. While there have been individual bright spots, the overall picture was far less encouraging. Too many routine plays have turned into extended innings, and there have already been multiple games this season where below-average defense directly contributed to losses.

That wasn't always the case. For years, strong defense was part of the Twins' organizational identity. Under Tom Kelly, the franchise consistently emphasized fundamentals, positioning, and limiting mistakes. That philosophy carried into Ron Gardenhire's tenure, where Minnesota routinely ranked among baseball's better defensive clubs. In recent seasons, however, the Twins have struggled to reach those standards, even with one of the game's premier defensive center fielders patrolling the outfield.

Looking back at the best defensive Twins teams of the last two decades illustrates both how good the club once was and how much ground it has to make up.

2020 Twins: 8 OAA, 18 DRS, 6.5 DEF

The shortened 60-game season makes any evaluation a little more difficult, but Minnesota still fielded a respectable defensive club. As expected, Byron Buxton led the way. He accumulated 4 Outs Above Average (OAA) while posting 11 Defensive Runs Saved (DRS), continuing to establish himself as one of baseball's elite defensive center fielders. The Twins also benefited from Marwin Gonzalez, whose versatility allowed him to contribute across the diamond. He finished with 2 OAA while playing multiple positions. Eddie Rosario remained an interesting case, posting 4 DRS despite finishing at -1 OAA. Max Kepler and Mitch Garver each contributed 3 DRS.

The biggest weakness came on the infield. Jorge Polanco struggled defensively, finishing with -6 DRS, preventing the Twins from climbing even higher among their recent defensive seasons.

2021 Twins: 9 OAA, 20 DRS, 15.7 DEF

Although the Twins endured a disappointing season in the standings, they remained an excellent defensive team. The offseason acquisition of Andrelton Simmons immediately paid dividends with the glove. Long considered one of the greatest defensive shortstops of his generation, Simmons posted an incredible 16 OAA along with an 18.5 DEF rating.

Max Kepler and Byron Buxton each added 7 OAA of their own. Buxton's 13 DRS matched Simmons despite playing significantly fewer innings because of injuries, highlighting just how dominant he remained whenever healthy. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Miguel Sanó struggled defensively. He finished with -5 OAA and -6 DRS, making him the club's biggest liability in the field.

2010 Twins: 35.4 DEF

Outs Above Average wasn't introduced until years later, but DEF provides a strong picture of just how fundamentally sound Minnesota was during the inaugural season at Target Field.

Joe Mauer anchored the defense behind the plate, posting a team-leading 12.7 DEF while capturing his third and final Gold Glove Award. The middle infield was outstanding. J.J. Hardy finished with 11.8 DEF, while Orlando Hudson added 10.5 DEF (6 DRS), giving the Twins one of baseball's better double-play combinations.

The supporting cast was equally impressive. Denard Span, Jason Repko, Justin Morneau, and Nick Punto each recorded DEF marks above 8.4, providing quality defense throughout the roster. Punto, Morneau, and Repko were worth 7 or more DRS. 

Not everyone contributed positively. Delmon Young (-11 DRS), Jason Kubel (-8 DRS), and Michael Cuddyer (-14 DRS) all finished with negative defensive values, but the club's strength up the middle more than compensated for those shortcomings.

2017 Twins: 67 OAA, 36 DRS, 58.1 DEF

No recent Twins team comes close to matching the defensive excellence displayed in 2017. This was Buxton at the absolute peak of his defensive powers. He produced an astonishing 26 OAA and 23 DRS while finishing with 23.9 DEF, earning the American League Platinum Glove Award as the league's top overall defender.

Brian Dozier complemented Buxton perfectly at second base. He posted 16 OAA and 14.5 DEF while winning his own Gold Glove Award. The rest of the roster featured quality defenders as well. Jason Castro contributed 10 DRS behind the plate, and Joe Mauer was worth 15 DRS as he transitioned to first base.

The defensive blemishes belonged to Sanó (-3 OAA) and Polanco (-8 DRS). Both players were overmatched on the left side of the infield. Even that wasn't nearly enough to offset one of the most impressive team defensive performances the Twins have assembled in recent memory.

The Standard Has Changed

Looking at these teams reveals a common theme. The Twins were at their best defensively when they were strong up the middle. Whether it was Mauer, Hardy, Hudson, Dozier, Simmons, or an elite version of Buxton, Minnesota consistently featured premium defenders at the game's most important positions. They turned balls in play into outs, limited extra bases, and helped their pitching staffs outperform expectations.

The current roster hasn't reached that level. Buxton continues to provide strong defense in center field, but one good (and certainly no longer elite) defender can't carry an entire team. Defensive inconsistency across the infield and corner positions has too often extended innings and created unnecessary pressure on the pitching staff.

If the Twins hope to return to consistent contention, improving the defense needs to become a priority again. Their best teams weren't just built around pitching and timely hitting—they routinely converted difficult plays into routine outs. Until Minnesota rediscovers that identity, the 2017 club will likely remain the benchmark for what good Twins defense looks like.

---

How would you rank the teams listed above? How can the Twins get to a better defense at the big-league level? Leave a comment and start the discussion. 

View full article

[offensive_loons_fan]

Everything was always cooler when you were young, but man I miss the days of Torii Hunter stealing home runs and Doug Mientkiewicz doing the splits at first base. Team wasn't elite, but it was a ton of fun.

[Cody Christie]

28 minutes ago, offensive_loons_fan said:

Everything was always cooler when you were young, but man I miss the days of Torii Hunter stealing home runs and Doug Mientkiewicz doing the splits at first base. Team wasn't elite, but it was a ton of fun.

It could be fun to have an outfield of Buxton, Walker Jenkins, and Emmanuel Rodriguez. Obviously, health is a big question, but that would be one of baseball's best defensive outfields. 

[LA Vikes Fan]

I agree. It makes me wonder why we play Gray at SS instead of Kriedler. A good SS and CF elevates an entire defense, and bad defenders at either position drags everybody else down. We have the CF. Kriedler can be that SS; Gray cannot. 

[Andy MacPhail]

Past philosophy of big bats is everything while striking out, fundamentals & defense isn't important, have really hurt the Twins. Besides losing a ton of games, the games became more boring. Playing the game the way it should be played with spectacular defense, there's nothing more entertaining.

[Road trip]

39 minutes ago, LA Vikes Fan said:

I agree. It makes me wonder why we play Gray at SS instead of Kriedler. A good SS and CF elevates an entire defense, and bad defenders at either position drags everybody else down. We have the CF. Kriedler can be that SS; Gray cannot. 

Yes, shortstops matter.

JJ Hardy.  Sigh.  Traded for absolutely nothing in one of Bill Smith's most inglorious trades, a year after Smith had paid a king's ransom to get him (trading a soon-to-be-a-star Carlos Gomez).  Not a coincidence that the Twins totally fell apart the next year.

[JADBP]

1 hour ago, Cody Christie said:

It could be fun to have an outfield of Buxton, Walker Jenkins, and Emmanuel Rodriguez. Obviously, health is a big question, but that would be one of baseball's best defensive outfields. 

I have been waiting all season for this to happen.....WHEN!!!!??!??!?!?  We keep throwing out retreads in RF and LF and it has been a merry-go-round with inept players flying off in all directions.  Why can't we just start the future RIGHT NOW?  Bring up Jenkins and Emma right now. 

We kidding ourselves if we think Martin and Larnach (or Wallner, Fedko, Roden, Kreidler, etc) will ever be as good as Walker Jenkins and Emma Rodriguez.  These are complete players, both with 60-grade power and 60-grade arms.  Jenkins is a 5-tool player and our top prospect--our next Buxton.  So, what the heck are we waiting for.  Time to get their feet wet in the MLBs, get through that initial slump, and start learning how to be an MLB star.  We are ready now.  

I'm ready for an outfield of Buxton, Jenkins and Emma, with probably Roden as a 4th OFer.  We all know this will likely be the starting OF by the end of the season.  Let's get started already!!!