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.

2019 Pre-Season Profile: Minnesota Twins

#8

The Minnesota Twins have been a popular pick to be a breakout team for each of the past few seasons.  Will 2019 finally be the year the Twins break through?

2018 Predictions

2nd in AL Central

Byron Buxton will start in centerfield in the All Star Game.

2018 Results

78-84, 2nd in AL Central

I may have been right where the Twins were going to finish in 2018, but I was wrong on many things.  I said they were going to be the last team to miss the playoffs as they finish 2nd in the division.  Instead, they finished 2nd almost by default, being the least bad team behind the Indians in the AL Central.  It was a bit of a disappointing season for the Twins that led to manager Paul Molitor being fired.

Additions / Subtractions

With Paul Molitor, an old school baseball lifer, being fired, the Twins went in a new direction with rookie manager Rocco Baldelli taking over.  They also were very effective at upgrading several positions with players hungry for a breakout season.  C.J. Cron is their new first baseman after the retirement of longtime face of the franchise Joe Mauer, and for All Star Jonathan Schoop is their new second baseman.  Anchoring the heart of their lineup will be slugging DH Nelson Cruz, one of the most prolific home run hitters of the last five years.  They topped off their offseason by bringing in super utility man Marwin Gonzalez to play wherever it is needed.  He will likely start the season at third base while they wait for Miguel Sano to return from an Achilles injury.

Most Important Hitter

Byron Buxton

I wanted to go in a different direction with someone like Max Kepler (whose development is key to their success), however this team's success is most likely tied to Byron Buxton.  It feels like the Twins have been waiting forever for Byron Buxton to finally fulfill the promise of his potential.  Once touted as the top prospect in baseball and potentially the next Mike Trout, Buxton has struggled to stay healthy enough to actually show what he can be.  In four seasons in the big leagues, Buxton has only topped 100 games once in 2017.  That season he was a 5 win player, hitting 16 home runs and stealing 29 bases while earning a Gold Glove for his work in centerfield.  It also was one of the Twins better seasons in recent years.  Last season, Buxton only saw the field for 28 games, and the Twins struggled.  Their success is tied to Buxton's success.  If this season is going to be a success, he needs to stay healthy and productive.

Most Important Pitcher

Jake Odorizzi

Jose Berrios is starting to emerge as the ace of the Twins rotation.  Statistically, the best pitcher in the rotation last season was Kyle Gibson.  However, the expectation is on Jake Odorizzi.  The Twins traded for Odorizzi from the Rays before last season to help solidify the top of their rotation, and instead he was just below average, having a 4.49 ERA and 97 ERA+.  This season, the Twins will be hoping Odorizzi returns to the form that made him a coveted trade piece a year ago to help their rotation excel.

Prospect to Watch

Nick Gordon

This is the same prospect I highlighted last season, but he never saw the big leagues.  However, he is still the Twins top prospect that has an opportunity to make an impact this season.  Nick Gordon has the bloodline to be a star, being the son of former big leaguer Tom "Flash" Gordon and the kid brother of Mariners second baseman Dee Gordon.  This 23 year old infielder will definitely get his opportunity this season if Jonathan Schoop struggles like he did last season or if there is an injury to either Schoop or shortstop Jorge Polanco.  Either way, I would be shocked if 2019 goes by without Gordon seeing the big leagues.

2019 Prediction

1st in AL Central, lose in ALDS

This is the year the Twins break through.  Their moves to bring in some veteran leadership like Cron, Schoop, and especially Cruz should make the roster a little less inconsistent.  A potential full season out of Buxton will give them their star.  Combine all that with an Indians team covered in question marks and the Twins might be hitting their stride at just the right time.  They won't go far in the postseason, but getting there will be reward enough.

Fearless Prediction

Rocco Baldelli will be name AL Manager of the Year.

If the Twins really do push into the postseason in 2019, much of the praise will be heaped on rookie manager Rocco Baldelli.  He is the latest in a recent string of young former players that have been given managerial jobs mainly because of the fact that they fully embrace the sabermetric side of the game.  Look for Baldelli to join Alex Cora, Aaron Boone, Gabe Kapler, and others as top managers in the league that might be young enough to still be playing.

2017 Pre-Season Profile: Seattle Mariners

#8

The Seattle Mariners almost made the playoffs in 2014, then struggled in 2015, then almost made the playoffs in 2016.  Will 2017 continue the trend and be a struggle, or will the M's end the longest playoff drought in baseball?

My 2016 Predictions

3rd in AL West

Hisashi Iwakuma makes the All Star Team.

2016 Results

86-76, 2nd in AL West

The Mariners were in the playoff race last season until the last weekend.  This exceeded many people's expectations after the whirlwind offseason they had leading into the 2016 season.  This result seemed even more unlikely after King Felix spent a good portion of the season on the DL.  Hisashi Iwakuma may not have made the All Star Team, but he was the best starter for the M's in 2016.

Additions / Subtractions

Mariners' General Manager Jerry DiPoto followed up one of the busiest offseasons ever in 2016 with one of the busiest offseasons ever in 2017.  He has completely remade the roster again, building a new group around a solid core of stars.  The biggest move of the offseason was trading phenom Taijuan Walker and young starting shortstop Ketel Marte to the Diamondbacks for established All Star Jean Segura.  Also, gone are Chris Iannetta, Adam Lind, Dae-ho Lee, Nori Aoki, Seth Smith, Franklin Gutierrez, and Nathan Karns.  Added to the roster are Carlos Ruiz, Danny Valencia, Jarrod Dyson, Taylor Motter, Drew Smyly, and Yovani Gallardo.  I'm curious to see if this is going to happen every year.

Most Important Hitter

Jean Segura

When a team trades away two future stars for an established player, it proves just how important that player is going to be.  Jean Segura emerged a few years ago for the Brewers.  After a down season or two, he found himself on the D-Backs in 2016, making the All Star Team, leading the NL in hits.  The Mariners brought him in to be a consistent table setter, one thing they have been lacking ever since Ichiro moved on.  Especially with a 3-4-5 of Robinson Cano, Nelson Cruz, and Kyle Seager, the M's need guys on base when these boppers come to the plate.  Segura needs to continue the production he had in 2016 for the Mariners to be successful in 2017.

Most Important Pitcher

Felix Hernandez

King Felix seemed to be a machine over the last decade.  He was one of the most dominant starters in baseball while making every start.  Last season, all that ended.  Felix had his highest ERA since 2007, and his least innings pitched since 2005 (his first season in the league).  Many people are counting Felix out, saying he is done being dominant.  The Mariners are counting on 2016 being an anomaly, and 2017 will be a return to dominance for the King.  If the Mariners are going to be successful this season, Felix needs to be the King.

Player to Watch

Mitch Haniger

When the Mariners traded for Jean Segura and gave up both Taijuan Walker and Ketel Marte, some said they overpaid for the shortstop.  However, others said that this would not be remembered for these three players, but for Mitch Haniger.  Haniger was one of the forgotten prospects that are always thrown into trades like this, however he went out this Spring and won the starting job in rightfield on Opening Day.  The Mariners think they have found a star in Haniger that could exceed the stardom of all three known names in this deal.

2017 Prediction

3rd in AL West, WILD CARD, lose in ALDS

The streak will end in 2017!  The Mariners have been so close several times since bringing in Robinson Cano.  With all the moves that have been made, the M's have built around their core of Cano/Cruz/Seager/Felix and found players that will complement them and their strengths.  Edwin Diaz has emerged as an electric closer that will anchor the bullpen.  With all the moves DiPoto made, the Mariners also have a lot of depth to protect from injuries.  I see the Mariners finishing in third in the division, but beating the Rangers in the one game Wild Card round.  Their run may end in the ALDS, but making the playoffs will be a huge step moving forward for the Mariners.

Fearless Prediction

Scott Servais will win AL Manager of the Year.

Ending the longest playoff drought in the league is reason enough to win Manager of the Year.  Add to that the fact that Scott Servais had his first season managing at any level last season, and taking his team to the playoffs will be that much more impressive.

2016 Pre-Season Profile: Seattle Mariners

The Seattle Mariners greatly underwhelmed on high expectations in 2015 that led to a complete overhaul on the field, in the dugout, and in the front office.  Will all the changes made lead to more success for the M's in 2016?

Last Season

My 2015 Prediction: 2nd in AL West, WILD CARD, lose in ALCS

2015 Result: 76-86, 4th in AL West

Many people were picking the Mariners to finally make a World Series in 2015.  A number of injuries and disappointing seasons led to an all-around disappointing season.  The question was did they disappoint in 2015 or over-perform in 2014 so much that it led to unrealistic expectations?  Either way, 2015 did not go as planned and led to a mid-season firing of their general manager.

2016 Additions / Subtractions

The Mariners were the most active team in baseball this offseason.  This all started right at the end of the 2015 season when Jerry DiPoto was hired as the new general manager.  Next came a series of moves that changed almost half of the Mariners' 40 man roster.  Out went players like Logan Morrison, Brad Miller, and almost the entire bullpen.  In came Nori Aoki, Leonys Martin, Adam Lind, Chris Iannetta, Steve Cishek, Joaquin Benoit, Wade Miley, and Nate Karns.  None of them are blockbuster moves, but the combination of all of them make a major impact.  The other big move was replacing manager Lloyd McClendon with former big leaguer and rookie manager Scott Servais.  In fact, the only coach kept from the year before was Mariner legend Edgar Martinez as hitting coach.  It was an overhaul rarely seen in baseball.

Most Important Hitter

Robinson Cano

Robinson Cano had one of his worst seasons as a pro in 2015.  He started off the season injured but tried to play through it, which led to a terrible start.  He ended the season much closer to what we have come to expect from Cano, but the overall totals were not that impressive.  With Cano coming into the season healthy, he needs to get back to the production that made him one of the best players in baseball.  If he doesn't, the Mariners are not going anywhere in the foreseeable future.

Most Important Pitcher

Taijuan Walker

It wasn't too long ago that Taijuan Walker was considered one of the best prospects in baseball.  He has now had a couple seasons in the big leagues, but his production has yet to scratch his potential.  He is only entering his age 23 season, but this is a big year for Walker.  He needs to take a big step forward in becoming the superstar many think he can be.  If he does find his groove, him and King Felix could be one of the more formidable top two in any rotation in the league.

Player to Watch

Dae-Ho Lee

The Mariners had a huge wave of prospects come up in the last few seasons.  Some worked out, some didn't, but it left behind a depleted farm system.  Most of the Mariners' top prospects are still several years away.  One rookie projected to make the Opening Day roster is a foreign import, something that has become a Mariner specialty.  Dae-Ho Lee is a 33 year old first baseman from Korea the Mariners signed this offseason.  He is a big dude, standing 6'4" and weighing in at 250 pounds.  He hit 40 home runs last season in Japan, and the Mariners are hoping to see some of that power transfer over to America as he is slated to complete a first base platoon with Adam Lind.

2016 Prediction

3rd in AL West

The Mariners had so many things go wrong last year to lead to their disappointing season.  However, this team is completely unrecognizable from the team that played in September.  Change is exciting, but also uncertain.  They have to play better than they did last year.  Look for some improvement, but a complete rebuild like this takes at least a year to really settle and show its full potential.

Fearless Prediction

Hisashi Iwakuma makes the All Star Team.

Hisashi Iwakuma has quietly been one of the best pitchers in baseball over the last three or four seasons.  In 2013, he made the All Star Team and was 3rd in Cy Young voting.  A series of injuries marred the last two seasons though.  He was almost signed by the Dodgers this offseason, but a questionable physical forced them to reconsider, leading to a return to Seattle.  If he stays healthy, look for him to be back in the Mid-Summer Classic, completing what could potentially be one of the better top three starters in all of baseball (Felix Hernandez and Taijuan Walker).

2015 Pre-Season Profile: Seattle Mariners

In 2014, the Seattle Mariners surprised everyone: first by landing one of the game's biggest superstars, and second by coming just one game short of their first playoff birth since 2001.  Will 2015 continue their new-found success?

Last Season

87-75, 3rd in AL West

The hype around the M's 2014 season started with the surprise signing of former-Yankee Robinson Cano to help jumpstart what had been a historically bad offense.  Many people criticized the move, saying one player cannot make that much of a difference.  However, all the nay-sayers were proven wrong when the Mariners, led by new manager Lloyd McClendon, finished with their best record since 2007, and still had a shot at a Wild Card birth on the last day of the season.  With Felix Hernandez continuing to anchor a stellar pitching staff and Cano leading an improving offense, now all the critics are saying that the 2014 success is just the beginning.

2015 Additions / Subtractions

Although the offense improved, the Mariners' lineup still was lacking depth and consistency.  That was addressed in the offseason with the signing of DH Nelson Cruz, who is coming off a career year with Baltimore.  The M's also worked to improve rightfield, first by trading current rightfielder Michael Saunders to Toronto for starting pitcher JA Happ (Happ took the place of departing Comback Player of the Year, Chris Young, in the rotation), and then acquiring Seth Smith and Justin Ruggiano to work in a righty/lefty platoon.  The only impact player lost in those deals was hard-throwing reliever Brandon Maurer, who went to San Diego.  Dealing Maurer will not impact the club though, as the Mariners sport one of the deepest and strongest bullpens in the league.  By adding veteran Rickie Weeks as a bench utility man, the Mariners seem to have quite a complete roster.

Most Important Hitter

Dustin Ackley

It is hard to believe looking back on the 2009 Draft that there were two can't miss prospects at the top of the board.  The first was Stephen Strasburg, who has shown why he was so highly touted coming out of San Diego State.  The second was thought to be as much of a slam dunk as a hitter as Strasburg was as a pitcher.  That prospect was Dustin Ackley.  So far in Ackley's 3+ year career, through a myriad of struggles and position changes, he has yet to live up to any of the hype surrounding his draft selection.  Perhaps more frustrating is college teammate and current Mariner teammate Kyle Seager has looked more like the talent expected out of Ackley, winning a Gold Glove and third base and making his first All Star team in 2014.  Ackley showed flashes of greatness in 2014, finishing with career highs in home runs (14) ad RBI's (65), however if the Mariners want to take the next step offensively, Dustin Ackley needs to start hitting like his pedigree says he can.  If not, the Mariners might have themselves one of the biggest draft busts in baseball history.  (By the way, to add insult to injury, the 25th pick in that draft was Mike Trout.)

Most Important Pitcher

James Paxton

The Mariners, even through the really bad year, have always been rich when it comes to pitching.  The last few years, Mariners fans have heard about a "Big 3" group of starting pitchers working their way to the big leagues.  Danny Hultzen, the 2nd overall pick in 2011, was derailed by injuries.  However, 2014 was the year the other two of the "Big 3" hit Seattle.  Taijuan Walker was the one everyone wanted to see, but due to injuries his first full season was a bit of a let down.  The most overlooked of the "Big 3" ended up being the most successful in 2014, James Paxton.  Although dealing with his own injury issues, Paxton showed enough dominance to cement his place in the rotation and is now being counted on as the left-handed ace to be slotted in behind King Felix and Hisahi Iwakuma in 2015.  With no one knowing how much success to expect out of the newly acquired JA Happ, it is on Paxton's shoulders to be the dominant lefty in the Mariners' rotation and keep the pitching staff the immense strength it has been.

Player to Watch

D.J. Peterson

The Mariners are counting on Logan Morrison to be an impact bat at first base this season.  Knowing that his career so far has been one of injuries and inconsistency, that is less than a sure thing.  If he struggles or gets injured, former top prospect and current bust Jesus Montero might get a chance to show what he can can do, but also look for a potential early arrival of D.J. Peterson.  Ranked as the Mariners' #2 prospect and MLB.com's #51 prospect overall, Peterson is expected to be an impact power bat that can anchor the heart of any lineup in the future.  If things work out right, that future could start this season.

Prediction

2nd in AL West, WILD CARD, lose in ALCS

If you haven't figured out quite yet, I am a die-hard Mariners fan.  With that said, I can't remember a time when expectations were as high as they are this year.  Most experts are picking them to make the playoffs, win the division, or even make their first World Series appearance in franchise history.  With the addition of Nelson Cruz giving Robinson Cano added protection in the lineup and taking pressure off younger hitters like Kyle Seager and Mike Zunino, and King Felix leading a pitching staff that looks as strong as ever (especially with a healthy Taijuan Walker finally looking ready to show why he has been one of the most talked about pitching prospects in all of baseball), all of these predictions seem completely realistic.  As a fan, I feel like I did before the 2013 NFL season.  I am also a Seattle Seahawks fan, and after their run in the playoffs in 2012, I truly thought the sky was the limit for them in 2013.  However, I had been a Seattle sports fan for too long (Save Our Sonics!) to get my hopes up too high.  I was afraid to predict them to finish as high as I knew they possibly could because, honestly, they always underwhelmed.  That is the same feeling I have going into the 2015 MLB season.  Do they have the roster to go all the way?  They absolutely do, but history has shown that the Mariners have never been able to live up to lofty expectations.  If they find themselves in the playoffs, they will go deep as they will be able to out pitch almost any team they face.  I just hope they can get that far because this is their best shot in over a decade at making a deep playoff run.