Minnesota Twins 2015 Season Preview

Looking at the every-day lineup, Hunter's insertion into the lineup is offset largely by Escobar's removal and couple that with the strong possibility that Santana is likely to be a defensive downgrade at SS, at least initially .   Plus, there are too many negative offensive regression candidates that should more than offset the possible breakout and positive regression candidates- and regarding health, we still don't know how long Plouffe's wrist issues might linger, he didn't exactly indicate that his swing was healthy in ST.

Overall, too many negatives about the 2014 and previous teams that were either woefully ignored or at best, just inadequately addressed by the GM.    The pen looks to be worse than 2014, possibly much worse if Graham turns into a roster boat anchor- the hardest thrower save Perkins has never pitched above AA, and was ineffective at that level, while 3/5ths of the starting rotation has a good chance of repeating the early exits of 2014 followed by a series of musical chair replacements for 3/5s of the rotation- haven't we seen this bad movie before?      The loss of probably 100+ innings not delivered by Santana, even at around a major league average level, will be crushing- given the proposed replacements at hand.   We were all disappointed that May wasn't coming onboard as the 5th starter, as of now, this team now needs to look to replace two 5th starters- who may both turn out to be more like 7th- or 8th-level depth starters, May is likely to get the early call, perhaps as soon as May 1st, and that might help some.... but they appear forever-hesitant to be willing to throw Meyer into the rotation any time soon.

The early season emphasis on intra-division ALC rivals in the schedule (28 of the first 35 games) by May 14, could mean that the Twins might be already deeply buried at the bottom of the division before major personnel moves are even contemplated.   By the time the kiddie "cavalry" is summoned from the minors, the die will have likely been cast, and then comes the various learning curves of the rookies, how many will start off their MLB careers like Santana did last year?    How many will struggle like May and Hicks did, and for how long?  Just the fact that you mentioned that Aaron Hicks is a potential source of hope and rescue in CF shows what a long-shot for success this season has in store.

Notwithstanding your glass half full prediction, which I admire and certainly hope comes to fruition-     I've now lowered my own 2015 Twins W-L prediction to 68-72 wins, and I fear I may be a tad optimistic.

What evidence is there that this is a season of experimentation and learning, given the VETERAN laden roster? 

What evidence is there that this is a season of experimentation and learning, given the VETERAN laden roster? 

Different uses of pitchers in the bullpen- including Perkins not always closing out the 9th.  

Turning Eduardo Escobar into Tony Phillips.

Committing to Santana at SS before Spring Training.

A commitment to more manufactured runs on the base paths.

Installing proven mentors to encourage the youngsters to do things the Twins Way, Hunter and Santana.

Oops.

OK, it's not really all that much, is it?  Mauer is still batting third, still no high OBP hitter leading off, the rotation is actually being praised for their "minimizing"*** talents, a bullpen that will likely have worse K/9 numbers than previously, the corner OF is still manned by DHs of the aging or defensive-butcher varieties and CF by below-replacement level, aging cut-outs

*** Is this just a variation on Gardy's "gettin after it"?'n't

I think they could possibly be better than last year, but I am not so sure right now. 

The Braves just dealt their closer for legit prospects, the Twins are re-signing bad veterans and not trading any veterans.......so, to me, it just looks like last year and the year before. I just don't see a lot of evidence the FO is trying to figure out which youngster is good or not.

I hope to be proven wrong soon.

I don't expect those changes until week 6, at the earliest. The minor league teams start later, I believe....and they'll want those players to get some time. This is the roster, barring injury, until mid-May.

I think they could possibly be better than last year, but I am not so sure right now. 

 

The Braves just dealt their closer for legit prospects, the Twins are re-signing bad veterans and not trading any veterans.......so, to me, it just looks like last year and the year before. I just don't see a lot of evidence the FO is trying to figure out which youngster is good or not.

 

I hope to be proven wrong soon.

The Kimbrel trade shows what all you can get for a top closer, and they got rid of enormous salary overhead, both with Kimbrel and BJ Upton.  Makes you wonder what the Twins could have gotten for shipping Perkins and some other dead weight in 2013- sure, not as much as Kimbrel, but still, lots in return, for a superfluous closer on a rebuilding team.  Being a hometown hero isn't all that, Terry.

The minor leaguers break camp today, with one last game at noon, Ft Myers vs GCL. 

Rochester's first game is with Buffalo on Thursday.

Ah, thanks, I thought it was about another 10 days, not 4......

My belief still stands, no major changes for 6 weeks.

Ah, thanks, I thought it was about another 10 days, not 4......

 

My belief still stands, no major changes for 6 weeks.

Barring someone doing a Hicks MLB debut-like performance, agreed.

Only the call up of minor leaguers will save the season.  If the vets in the pitching get the Bartlet and Kubel treatment and leave town will we be better.  But the Twins have a history of putting crap on the field in the beginning and being forced to make changes - lets hope it happens quickly.

I think we'll see better baseball, but in one of the toughest divisions in baseball so the record might not reflect the improvement.