#21
The Minnesota Twins had a mediocre season in 2022, but followed it up with a curiously fascinating offseason. Will it lead to a better season in 2023?
#17 - 3rd in AL Central
MIH - Byron Buxton
MIP - Chris Paddack
PTW - Joe Ryan
2022 Results
#18 - 78-84, 3rd in AL Central
Highest WAR (Position) - Carlos Correa
Highest WAR (Pitcher) - Jhoan Duran
The Minnesota Twins made a splash leading into 2022 by landing one of the top shortstops in the game in Carlos Correa. He had an outstanding season for them, while Luis Arraez won the batting title. However, their pitching struggled to keep pace with their offense. It led to a lackluster season in a division that wasn't very good.
Additions / Subtractions
The Twins made some interesting waves in the offseason this year. After Carlos Correa agreed to a contract with the Giants, and then the Mets, he ended up back in Minnesota on a huge deal. Then they traded their batting champ to Miami for starter Pablo Lopez. They also traded Gio Urshela to the Angels for a minor leaguer. They signed catcher Christian Vazquez to be their new backstop replacing Gary Sanchez. They also took a flier on Joey Gallo as a reclamation project. Add in the signing of Michael A. Taylor as insurance for Byron Buxton's brittle body, and it was a fascinating offseason.
Most Important Hitter
Byron Buxton
It's going to be true every year until it isn't. The success of the Twins is tied directly to Byron Buxton's health. He is entering his 9th season in the big leagues (age 29 season), and only once has he been able to play over 100 games, and that was back in 2017. He made his first All Star team in 2022, but only played in 92 games. However, in those 92 games, he hit 28 homers, a 135 OPS+, and had a 4.0 WAR. The Twins can be good without Buxton, but they won't be great without him. He might be the biggest X-factor in the league.
Most Important Pitcher
Kenta Maeda
The Twins have been working hard trying to improve their pitching staff for awhile now. After starting a rookie pitcher on Opening Day in 2022, the Twins traded for starter Tyler Mahle and closer Jorge Lopez mid-season last year. Then they traded for Pablo Lopez this offseason. However, the solution to their rotation might simply be getting healthy. The last time we saw Kenta Maeda for a full season, he almost won the 2020 Cy Young. He is finally healthy again, but he's also entering his age 35 season. If Maeda can get back to where he was in 2020, the starting rotation might be better than it has been for awhile.
Prospect to Watch
Simeon Woods Richardson
The Twins have a top 10 farm system with 3 players in the Top 100 Prospects. With their former #1 overall pick in Royce Lewis recovering from yet another ACL tear, the most likely impact from their deep prospect pool might be Simeon Woods Richardson. This starting pitcher has found himself the centerpiece of two different blockbuster trades, first going from the Mets to the Blue Jays in the Marcus Stroman deal of 2019, then going from the Blue Jays to the Twins in the Jose Berrios deal in 2021. Now he is ready to show what he can do at the big league level. For a starting rotation always looking for extra help, Woods Richardson will definitely get an opportunity at some point this season to show what he can do. It might also be the longest name ever to have to fit on the back of a jersey.
2023 Prediction
3rd in AL Central
The Twins are kicking off their brand new uniforms with a season where they could really finish anywhere from first to third. So much of what they do this year depends on health. Their pitchers have to stay healthy, and their stars have to stay healthy. Not only is Buxton an injury liability, but Carlos Correa couldn't get a contract from a big market due to possible injury concerns. Too much can go wrong, and with teams a little less volatile in front of them, this is where I see the Twins ending up.
Fearless Prediction
Byron Buxton plays more games in 2023 than Carlos Correa.
The only way for this whole Carlos Correa saga to end is for him to get hurt this year, right? Two different organizations wouldn't sign off on his surgically repaired leg and ankle from his minor league days. The Twins took the leap, but already knew the risk. Either Correa is a borderline MVP this year or he gets hurt. There is no in between. We all know Buxton will be hurt at some point, so if Correa plays less than Buxton, the Twins are having a rough year.
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