A survey of 32 current and former baseball executives, coaches, and scouts pegged the Twins as one of the five least improved AL teams. Despite this result seeming negative, Jayson Stark of The Athletic reports the Twins, and two other teams listed, could easily be a playoff team at the end of the season. The Twins are joined on the list by the Mariners, Guardians, Astros, and White Sox. Voters noted the Mariners and Guardians could easily join the Twins in the playoffs this season even though they had no money to spend on free agents.
MLB Analysts: Twins Set to Thrive Despite Lack of Significant Upgrades
Was Juan Soto the best free agent signing of the winter or the worst?
Um, yes?
That and lots more in my annual spring preview survey https://t.co/BKuSSlChm0
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) February 13, 2025
Why the Twins Can Contend
The 2024 season ended poorly for the Twins as they lost their lead in the AL Central and missed the playoffs. As the Twins seemingly enter 2025 with the same roster they ended 2024 with, they are still considered a playoff contender.
Healthier Roster
Injuries of key players played a major role in the derailed 2024 season. If key players keep healthy, the Twins will remain much more competitive. Carlos Correa, who the Twins have the most money invested in, only played in 86 games in 2024. The Twins certainly missed having him on the field and at the plate, as he had a team-leading 3.7 WAR and still had a slash line of .310/.388/.517. The 86 games he played in were the least he has had in a season with the Twins. Correa staying healthy is a key piece in the Twins’ success in 2025.
Another key player who must remain healthy is Byron Buxton. Entering August last season, Buxton was hitting .275 with 16 home runs and 49 RBI. He then spent most of August and September on the DL and only added one more home run and 7 RBI for the season. The Twins will need his bat, speed on the base paths, and athletic talent in center field to be successful in 2025. Buxton has had a rare off-season where he is healthy and does not need surgery. This is a good sign the Twins’ star outfielder can help cement a successful season.
Other key injuries the Twins experienced were to starter Joe Ryan and infielder Royce Lewis. Both are part of the young core the Twins have relied on to support their veterans the past few seasons. Like Buxton, these younger players are entering the season healthier and look to rebound, helping the Twins win the AL Central.
Solidifying Their Pitching Staff
Joe Ryan and Pablo López were a part of the Twins’ playoff run in 2023, demonstrating their ability to pitch for a successful team in tough situations. This year’s pitching staff should include Chris Paddack, who will be in his second season since Tommy John surgery, and Bailey Ober, who was a surprising success in 2024. Mixing in some of the younger pitchers the Twins had to rely on last season, such as Simeon Woods Richardson, David Festa, and Zebby Matthews, can make their starting pitching staff one that can contend to win every game.
The strongest part of the Twins’ pitching staff in 2024 was their bullpen, which looks to be even better in 2025. Closer Jhoan Durán was a little inconsistent last season, but he still had 23 saves, a 1.160 WHIP, and averaged 10.9 strikeouts per nine innings. Even with those numbers being decent, Twins fans can expect a bounce-back season from Durán. The Twins also brought back Danny Coulombe as their left-handed pitching specialist. Coulombe spent the last two seasons with the Baltimore Orioles after spending three seasons with the Twins. While in Baltimore, Coulombe developed a cutter and had an impressive 2.12 ERA and a 0.674 WHIP last season. Bringing back a strong reliever such as Coulombe strengthens an already good bullpen.
The AL Central is Winnable
The Guardians (92-69), Tigers (86-76), and Royals (86-76) all had great 2024 seasons. In a rare situation for the division, three teams made the playoffs. Yes, the Twins had a lead in the division in August and had a disastrous end, but they ended only four games out of a playoff spot. With the division easily attainable, let alone a wild card spot, the Twins have a shot at making the playoffs. Cleveland was also on the list of teams who did not improve this off-season. All it takes is one of the three playoff teams from this division to struggle, and the Twins can overtake them with a healthy roster and solid pitching staff.
Bottom-Line
The bottom line is a healthier Buxton, Correa, and Lewis can transform their offense in a way no one else on the roster can. Their rotation is strong when healthy, and the Twins have solidified their bullpen by signing Coulombe. The Twins are infamously smart with their money since they’ve battled payroll constraints for years, so the players they have signed should have a positive impact. Include a winnable AL Central, this Twins roster is ready to contend despite doing little to improve this off-season.
Main Photo Credits: Chris Tilley-Imagn Images
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