Minnesota’s Core Four: Can the Twins Win a Championship with the Current Core?

I guess I am not sure what is so magical about the number 4.  I also get the impression that at least part of the criteria of the selections is the amount of team control; I noticed none of the other keys to this season (Gray as just one example) are in it.  Only due to team control?  Age maybe?  There are others as well.  I would put Ryan into the group as an expansion, not a replacement.  And if Miranda comes around as we hope (expect?) he will, would we add him?  Or are we only going to talk long term proven veterans we have a long term control relationship with?  If that is the case, we have a solid 4, as long as they stay on the field.  But I still wonder:  if we were to lock in a couple of young players who don't have quite the track record of these 4, but guys we consider part of our future, would we be willing to extend the number of the core?  

Yes they can! Not if but when 

I think we can argue about the so-called "core" players, but as I look at the Twins this year, I think for the first time in many many years, they certainly DO have the players that can take them to another World Series. Bullpen is better, starters are better, and if the hitting finally comes around on a consistent basis, we will be a force to be reckoned with. Or so I keep hoping ...

nope sorry to be a downer ..  but, core impact players need to be hitting closer to .300..knocking in more runs and not K'ing as much... Lopez and Duran ..maybe. right now this Twins team does not have the hitting to compete for a world Series

Current core?  Yes.

Current supporting cast?  No.  If guys like Maeda or Mahle are starting playoff games, and guys like Pagan and Moran are getting playoff appearances, I don’t think the pitching staff stands a chance.  To avoid that we need Gray to stay healthy, which he hasn’t been in a number of years.

The position players look good enough on paper.  Taylor has been great, but I wouldn’t trust him to get a hit with 2 guys on in the bottom of the 7th in a one run playoff game.  I’d hope Buxton is back on center.  Kepler needs to return to form, which is a huge ask.  Alex K as well.  Miranda needs to hit for more power.

I like our chances much more than previous years to win a playoff series.  I don’t think we can make a run to the championship yet.  Another good offseason and some prospect development - maybe in a year or two.

There are many players players that contribute to team success. You can label them however you want & say certain players are core players. Why pick a random number - 4?

As someone pointed out above Gene Larkin was a contributor, but doubt many would say he was core member of those teams. In '87 Viola & Blyleven were essential to the teams success & Gaetti, Bruno, Berenguer & others were huge. In '91 a few names emerged like Morris & Davis. In your Yankees example how would Bernie Williams be left out, Paul O'Neiil etc.

On this years team the depth is more important than trying to come up with who the core players are, IMO. Regarding future seasons the key contributors can change season by season so I'll just be happy knowing we have players with potential to be good in the future combined with some quality veteran players who are signed over the next few years & a FO that seems willing to address shortcomings, for the most part.

I keep waiting for Correa to start hitting, He left 6 on base last night and his batting average is way below what it should be for a player with his contract. Buxton batting average is also below average so it is disappointing as a fan to see the two highest paid hitters with such low batting averages.

Not if Buxton never plays in the outfield again...

Can we please start by winning a playoff game?  Then a playoff series?

I really like what the Twins are trying to do.  Locking up four of your strongest players for multiple years is a good start. From a core standpoint, it is hard to add to this list right now:  Polanco and Kepler are on the back end of their time here, guys like Ober, Gallo, Miranda, are still in prove-it mode.  The rest is unproven youth 
 

Michael A. Taylor has been terrific for the Twins this year. Byron Buxton appears healthy and has been in the lineup most days. The Twins are above even in April. The Twins will need Buxton in centerfield at some point, however, because as much as we may like MAT for his current contributions there are better lineup combinations possible going into the summer. I'm not too worried about Correa but think he is more suited to hit in the 5/6 hole. The Twins will absolutely need one of their less experienced players to take a big step forward this year, hopefully two or three. The Twins are not going to be led by just four players if they hope to contend. I'm real hopeful for Buxton and keep saying 130 productive games, but both his health and production are always a question.

While I agree this is a nice long-term core-4, as a Twins fan in San Diego, I have been watching up close what the Padres are doing with long-term commitments, and their core-6 is amazing:

Machado, Bogarts, Tatis Jr., Cronenworth, Musgrove, and Darvish. All locked up for 5-10 years. Also a good chance Soto stays long-term.

San Diego and Twin Cities are similar size markets and owners have similar financial capacity (I think Pohlads are worth more than Padres owner). So, while the Twins may have enough to win a weak AL Central, the Padres are building for multiple World Series. 

Of course, Twins vs Padres in WS is my dream. We'll see.

1 hour ago, MinnInPa said:

nope sorry to be a downer ..  but, core impact players need to be hitting closer to .300..knocking in more runs and not K'ing as much... Lopez and Duran ..maybe. right now this Twins team does not have the hitting to compete for a world Series

In addition  , batting Kepler as lead off or hitting 4th or higher is not conducive to a winning team  ...

Also we will never win with the manager we have  ...

I hope I can be proved wrong  ...

A World Series contending Twins team will not have a such a limited “core”. Sure, it will have leaders and high(er) priced veteran players (who btw, need to produce more - looking at you CC and BB).

But the true “core” for the truly next multiple year “open window” is going to comprised of young(ish), cheaper, rising players - both in the field and on the mound. Lee, Lewis, Julien, Rodriguez, maybe Kiriloff and Larnach, Ryan, Ober, Prielipp, SWR, Varland, Raya, Duran and others - some or most of these players are going to be the true “core”. These are the players that need to reach their potential (that’s right, looking at you Rocco and staff - that’s your most important job over the next three years) and be here on relatively cheap, controllable contracts for multiple years.

That’s how small/mid-market teams like the Twins can truly compete over several years,

29 minutes ago, twinssporto said:

I would make the case that adding Royce Lewis, Brooks Lee and Edouard Julien could and 3 to the core 4 = 7!

you beat me to it !! these 3 look like hitters...when we lost Arraez we lost our only true hitter..one that doesnt K at an unacceptable 30 % plus rate. it sickens me to watch these guys flail away at the plate..or take strike 3 looking

If Buxton is only going to be a DH from now on, as Rocco seemed to say the other day I don't think he can be considered a core player anymore.

A core 4 is a good start. But perhaps a Fab five or Sensational six would get us deeper into the playoffs. And by deeper, I mean winning at least one dang playoff series!

I think you add Ryan to the list, make it core five and try to buy out arb and early FA years from both Ryan and Duran. 

5 hours ago, mikelink45 said:

I like the question, but cannot give you an answer.  I will say that Larkin was not a foundation player.  Gaetti and Knoblauch were the players to added to Puckett and Hrbek.  But also there was Frank Viola and Jack Morris. 

Yes, how can you not have Frankie V as a core player. He was flat out amazing in 87 and 88. He also added Tapani and Aguilera who were vital to the run in 91.

I see buck and C4 more as mentors to the core thats coming soon. Lee, Lewis, Erod and Raya. Throw in Ryan and this years #5 pick and add them to Lopez and Duran and you will have a real deep/long window for multiple playoff runs. We aren’t going to be drafting in the top ten again anytime soon. 

2 hours ago, tony&rodney said:

Michael A. Taylor has been terrific for the Twins this year. Byron Buxton appears healthy and has been in the lineup most days. The Twins are above even in April. The Twins will need Buxton in centerfield at some point, however, because as much as we may like MAT for his current contributions there are better lineup combinations possible going into the summer. I'm not too worried about Correa but think he is more suited to hit in the 5/6 hole. The Twins will absolutely need one of their less experienced players to take a big step forward this year, hopefully two or three. The Twins are not going to be led by just four players if they hope to contend. I'm real hopeful for Buxton and keep saying 130 productive games, but both his health and production are always a question.

I agree with your comments.  I would add that the Twins do need some help with hitting and Kirilloff seems like the best hope for improvement without making a trade.  Great having Polanco back in the lineup.

If the Twins are as great as many people say, I guess me included, barring too many injuries they should not only win the weak central, they should run away with it.  If it is true that the Twins have a record payroll of 154 million this year, the manager and FO better produce or they should all be gone at end of season.  Go Twins

Like others here, Buxton is just not of high value to me. He isn't playing in the outfield, with his great abilities. He doesn't run the bases, with his great speed. He thinks he is a home run first hitter now, with a sub .250 BA and high strikeout rate. Just seems he's way over valued to me. Convince me otherwise.