There is contending, then there is the realistic chance of doing well in the playoffs. 2-5 against Boston, 7-12 against Cleveland, 1-5 against Houston, 2-4 against the Yankees, and horrible against the Dodgers during the regular season. The arguments for they should have done more for contending seem nitpicky. What would have the Twins have to have added to be a contender past the wild card game? A front line starter, a middle of rotation starter, a couple of set up men. The wild card game comes down to is your starter on that day or not. The divisional rounds take more than that. Without trading the mlb position players they did not have anything to trade for the front line starter.