Danny Valencia

Minneapolis is the home to Super Bowl LII. OK, that’s enough about football… But, lots of baseball fans and baseball players are a fan of football, and millions upon millions will be watching the game on Sunday. As we have done the last few years, we have collected the predictions of many current, former and future Twins players.

At this point, 85 players and other Twins personnel have sent in their predictions. We have predictions from 2017 draft picks, minor league veterans and several major leaguers including Denard Span, Danny Valencia, Mike Trombley, LaTroy Hawkins and more. So check out the predictions below if only for a walk down memory lane. There are some names that you’ll remember from the past.

But first, here’s my prediction. That Eagles defense is legit. I predict three field goals for the Patriots, and a couple of second half touchdowns. The Patriots defense is not as good, but the Eagles will also be held to two field goals, but I think they’ll score three touchdowns. Eagles 27, Patriots 23. MVP - Jay Ajayi.

The Minnesota Twins have struggled this year. They have been swept six times and have only two victories on the road. Instead of building on last year's success, they have brought plenty of things into question.

I could spend several days on what the reasons are behind the failures. That would just end up in a lot of head shaking and maybe even some tears. Instead, I intend to start a bar room type discussion.

Some of you remember the Twins of the 60s or 70s or even the 80s. For me, it is the 1990s to now. I was born in 1989 and have been alive for 15 losing seasons. Some of those 15 seasons have been worse than the others and at a different time I may rank them accordingly.

In the summer of 2004, the Twins were in the midst of a run for their third straight AL Central crown. The sudden success on the field meant the club was in the routine of drafting later rather than earlier in the first round of baseball's amateur draft. That June the team focused on shortstop and a scrawny high schooler would be their first pick.

Trevor Plouffe grew up in Southern California and was committed to the University of Southern California before the Twins came calling. He was listed as 6-foot-1 and 170 pounds but those might have been a little exaggerated if you look at this photo from shortly after he was drafted.

Teams are always searching for the a way to get a leg up on the competition. Analyzing spray charts to find the right placement for outfielders, shifting infielders to the right side against a power hitting lefty, or bringing in a LOOGY (left-handed one out guy) in the late innings. Baseball continues to evolve and the teams changing the fastest seem to find more success.

Possibly one of the biggest flaws under the Ron Gardenhire regime was his refusal to platoon hitters. For example, take a look at Danny Valencia's tenure in Minnesota. During his rookie year, the right-handed hitter managed to hit .280/.303/.410 against righties which is pretty good. In 2011, his numbers dropped as his OPS dipped to .626 against righties while he posted a .822 mark against lefties. Gardenhire could have taken advantage of Valencia's strength and played him against lefties while utilizing another option against right-handed starters.