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To say that Rocco Baldelli, Derek Falvey, and Thad Levine hoped this collection would be playing better is selling it short. There is no denying that a Byron Buxton and Carlos Correa-led offense should be better, and one of the game's best starting rotations is suffering for it.
Although the Cleveland Guardians don't look like a juggernaut, they will begin the second half leading the division, and it's on the players in Minnesota's clubhouse to find a way to close the gap.
What was remarkable, ugly, and everything in between at times? Here are some takeaways from the first half.
1. The AL Central is a Terrible Division
Maybe this could have been expected with the Guardians doing so little over the offseason and the White Sox's most significant move being Andrew Benintendi, or the removal of Tony La Russa.
At any rate, the latter has continued to be terrible, while the former has remained mediocre. Terry Francona took the division for Cleveland last year when the Twins threw it away. They are trying to do it again at the halfway point this season, but calling any of the contending teams' real playoff threats would be lying.
2. Pitching and Defense Aren't Enough
Coming into the year, this Twins team looked like it was going to pitch, and there was hope they could field. Questions about the lineup were present, and additions such as Joey Gallo and Christian Vazquez didn't bring the warm fuzzies to consistent production. Seeing Buxton be limited to a hit-or-miss designated hitter and Correa a shell of himself, the lineup has been among the worst in the sport.
3. The Old Guard is Dug In
Over the offseason, the front office had opportunities to move on from Max Kepler and chose not to. They are determined for him to show a shred of value, which continues to come at the expense of such youth as Trevor Larnach and Matt Wallner. The Twins roster is hampered enough by having a strict designated hitter, but their handedness in the outfield, and a right fielder producing little value, has drug things down further.
4. Bullpen Depth Wasn't Considered
As has been the case for most of the tenure under this front office, the bullpen remains an afterthought. You don't have to spend big like the White Sox have, but not doing anything has continued to bite this group. Adding nothing more than minor league free agents left Brock Stewart and Jose De Leon as necessary developments rather than pleasant surprises. With Jorge Lopez regressing, Emilio Pagan unable to pitch in leverage, and Joah Duran only backed by Griffin Jax, Baldelli is hamstrung on a nightly basis.
5. A Big Deadline Looms, Again
Last year the Twins found themselves floundering as they approached the trade deadline. With injuries crushing them all over the roster, they swung big, landing Tyler Mahle and Lopez. The former was an upside play, while the latter was a response to a poor unit. They have less prospect capital they want to trade this year, and the roster has fewer logical places to add. A bat has to come, and relief help must be on the way, but Minnesota can't get burned for the second year.
6. Belief in Better Only Goes So Far
It's fair to assume that this Twins team should be much better. They lead the division in run differential by a substantial amount, and their Pythagorean record is far better than the mark in the standings. Expecting those things to correct themselves over 162 games is a logical ask, but at some point, time runs out. It's getting late early for this squad if they want to be better than what they have shown thus far.
Thankfully the AL Central continues to leave the door wide open for Minnesota, but that will close as games go on, and this collection should only be given a pass if they capitalize on the opportunity. It will be a sprint to the finish, and anything but a division title following the regular season would be a failure.
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