2021 Pre-Season Profile: Minnesota Twins

 #10

The Minnesota Twins extended their improbable postseason losing streak to 18 games in 2020.  Will the streak end in 2021?  Will it keep going?  Will they have a chance to end it?

2020 Predictions

#3 - 1st in AL Central, lose in ALCS

MIH - Byron Buxton

MIP - Kenta Maeda

PTW - Alex Kirilloff

2020 Results

#4 - 36-24, 1st in AL Central, lost in Wild Card Round

In the 2020 regular season, everything went right for the Minnesota Twins.  They won the division, they were one of the best teams in the American League, and they were well positioned to make a deep postseason run playing a team with a losing record in the first round.  Then they actually got to the postseason.  That team with the losing record was the Houston Astros who definitely know how to play in the postseason.  The Twins don't, and they were quickly swept out of the playoffs before they even realized they started.  It extended this crazy streak of playoff futility.  Now, no one remembers all the successes of the season.  All anyone remembers is how disappointing the season ended.

Additions / Subtractions

The biggest need for the Twins entering the offseason was pitching, with Jake Odorizzi leaving in free agency.  They tried to address it by signing J.A. Happ for the rotation and Alex Colome to strengthen the bullpen.  The biggest offseason moves for the Twins were the re-signing of veteran slugger Nelson Cruz and locking down the shortstop position with the slick-fielding Andrelton Simmons.

Most Important Hitter

Max Kepler

A breakout star for the Twins in 2019 was Max Kepler, who ended up garnering MVP votes at seasons end.  In 2020, Kepler was good but not great.  The Twins' lineup is definitely the strength of the team, with a mix of up-and-coming stars and established veterans.  Kepler, along with Byron Buxton, have the potential of being the stars of the Twins' roster for years to come.  A bounce back season from Kepler in 2021 should establish himself as one of the league's rising stars and a bat the Twins can rely on moving forward.

Most Important Pitcher

Jose Berrios

For years, everyone has been waiting for Jose Berrios to put everything together and establish himself as one of the most electric and dominant pitchers in all of baseball.  Although he has shown great durability and some great success in the league, making the All Star Team in both 2018 and 2019, he has yet to make himself the "guy."  In 2021, Kenta Maeda established himself as the ace of the Twins' staff, which happened because of a career year from Maeda and another good not great year from Berrios.  Entering his age 27 season, Berrios has maybe another season or two to find that dominance.  If he doesn't, he will still be a good pitcher, but the Twins need him to be an ace, not just good.

Prospect to Watch

Alex Kirilloff

My pick for the Prospect to Watch for the Twins in 2020, Alex Kirilloff would have definitely gotten his opportunity last year if not for the shortened season.  Instead, he didn't make any impact until he became the first player in MLB history to make his Major League debut by starting a playoff game.  Now, although he is slated to start this season in the minors, Kirilloff should be a regular part of the big league starting lineup at some point this season and for years to come.

2021 Prediction

2nd in AL Central, WILD CARD, lose in Wild Card Game

The Twins have a lineup that feels mostly unchanged from 2020, but they also feel like a playoff team that might be starting to lose some steam in terms of their success and dominance.  Their inability to truly upgrade, especially in their starting rotation, will keep them from winning their division, putting them in the one game Wild Card Round.  Not having the go-to ace, I'm predicting that ridiculous playoff losing streak will extend by one.

Fearless Prediction

The Twins' top starting pitcher entering the postseason is currently not on their roster.

At some point, the Twins have to recognize their need for more pitching.  At least you would think so.  Look for the to pull off a trade at some point throughout the season for a starting pitcher that becomes the ace of the staff ahead of Maeda and Berrios.  It might be a little out of character for the Twins to do so, but it could easily be a necessity for a team that might be feeling their hold on the division slipping away.

2016 Pre-Season Profile: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

They said it couldn't be done, and yet here we are.  I made it through the entire league.  Our last profile for 2016 is the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Angels of California ... Angels.

Last Season

My 2015 Prediction: 1st in AL West, lose in ALDS

2015 Result: 85-77, 3rd in AL West

The Angels definitely disappointed in 2015.  Disagreements between the coach and front office led to the general manager stepping down.  They were looking like a good playoff contender until a surge by the Rangers down the stretch passed up everyone.

2016 Additions / Subtractions

It was a confusing offseason for the Angels.  They had trouble scoring runs last year outside of Mike Trout and Albert Pujols.  So what do they do?  They trade longtime shortstop (and solid hitter) Erik Aybar for Andrelton Simmons.  Simmons is the best defensive shortstop in baseball, but a below average hitter.  They let David Freese leave and replaced him with Yunel Escobar.  That was about it.  The Angels had been one of the most active teams in the offseason over the last decade, signing big deals for guys like Torii Hunter, Vernon Wells, Albert Pujols, and Josh Hamilton.  Maybe they started to realize that not many of those signings worked out.  Either way, they needed to do more.

Most Important Hitter

Kole Calhoun

When you fill out your lineup with names like Daniel Nava, Johnny Giavotella, and Andrelton Simmons, you know you are not elite offensively.  Even with Trout anchoring the middle of that lineup, they are below average offensively.  They need someone to help lengthen that lineup.  One of the guys that has been working towards that the last few years in Kole Calhoun.  If the Angels want to have success this season, Calhoun has to have an All Star caliber season.

Most Important Pitcher

Jared Weaver

There are a number of pitchers I could put in this spot from the aging Angels' pitching staff.  C.J. Wilson has been disappointing ever since he signed with the Angels and is now entering his age 35 season.  Matt Shoemaker followed up a great rookie season with a below average sophomore campaign.  However, it's Jared Weaver that needs to have a bounceback season.  This rotation has revolved around Weaver for about a decade.  Last season, he really showed his age and started to falter, posting a 7-12 record with a 4.64 ERA.  If the Angels are going back to the playoffs, Weaver needs to be the All Star he always used to be.

Player to Watch

Kaleb Cowart

Not only do the Angels have an aging roster, but the Angels also have a terrible farm system with no prospects on the list of the top 100 in baseball.  One that is intriguing that might have a shot at playing a role this season is Kaleb Cowart.  He is a third baseman that was a first round pick in 2010 that has really struggled his way through the system.  Finally, he has started to show some of his potential recently.  With some holes in the infield, look for Cowart to possible get a chance this season to show his skill at the big league level.

2016 Prediction

4th in AL West

Despite having the best player on the planet, I see this season as yet another backslide for the Angels.  Their lineup is weak, their pitching is old and sub-par.  The team has passed its window for this current core of players.  It's about time to break it all down and start over.  They are maybe a year or two away from fully blowing the thing up the way the Braves did.  Does this mean Mike Trout's days as an Angel are numbered?  If this is the course they take, they very well might be.

Fearless Prediction

This is Mike Scioscia's last season as Angels' manager.

Mike Scioscia is the longest tenured manager in baseball.  However, with the way the Angels are trending, combined with a feud with the front office last season, and Scioscia's days have to be numbered in LA.  Scioscia is kind of like baseball's version of Andy Reid.  Sometimes, you just need to move on.  He will, and he will soon find a new home where he can be great again.