What Defines Success for Twins in 2021?

I often find myself pondering what I would prefer as a fan. Would something like what the Kansas City Royals accomplished be enviable? That is, achieve mediocre or worse results for the better part of multiple decades only to then find yourself as World Series winner for a fleeting moment. Or would something like what Twins fans have grown accustomed to be more desirable. Consistently be in the mix, win the division a handful of times, but never really have enough to take the next step? Given the reality that just one team finishes their season with a victory, I find the latter more appealing. In 2021 though, we all need more.

No, that’s not to suggest that it’s World Series or bust for Rocco Baldelli’s club. As good as Minnesota is, their roster doesn’t rival that of the Los Angeles Dodgers on Opening Day. Having roughly a 25% chance to win the World Series come October from the get-go is a crazy thought, especially with the nuance expected to play out over 162 games. What I am willing to suggest however, is that a three-peat isn’t enough, and neither is a Postseason victory.

You may have heard that the Twins are 0 for their last 18 Postseason games. They last recorded a victory in the playoffs on Oct. 5, 2004. Would it be great to snap that streak? Certainly, but that also isn’t enough. Those 18 defeats don’t reside in succession across teams, just as a singular win does little in terms of taking a step forward. No, this team needs more.

For 2021 to be defined as successful for the Minnesota Twins a Postseason series victory needs to be achieved.

This club currently feels like a post-hype sleeper. The Chicago White Sox were the darlings of winter, and despite the blow dealt by Eloy Jimenez’s injury, their train is well off the tracks. Minnesota is now two years removed from the Bomba Squad, and Major League Baseball has actively attempted to thwart power production. Regardless of how this team generates run production and ultimately wins game, they could embrace somewhat of an underdog mentality.

https://twitter.com/Twins/status/1377060022811779072

Let national publications pick against the Twins. Allow oddsmakers to count this team as somewhat of a longshot. Realistically though, they’re getting a chance to run it back with a team that couldn’t have been more hyped going into 2020. The season was cut short, injuries forced a debut in an elimination game, and thinks rarely went right for long. Despite all of that the wins still came at nearly a 100-victory clip stretched over 162 games, and the front office remains one of the greatest pursuers of development across the game.

Nothing about the 2019 or 2020 teams was accidental in terms of talent and being define by quick Postseason exits is hardly indicative of repeatable outcomes. As is the case with every franchise, things will need to break right over the course of a full 162 game season, but even the average scenarios should have Minnesota right in the thick of things.

Forget the streak, a win doesn’t move the needle, a series victory is on top with a couple being strung together defining all it takes to bring it home in October.

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