2015 Minnesota Twins: Winning On The Horizon

Mar 15, 2014; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; Minnesota Twins center fielder Aaron Hicks (32) connects for a base hit during a game against the New York Mets at Tradition Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

2013 Minnesota Twins (66-96 Fourth in the AL Central)

In 2013, the excitement heading into the season came in the form of a speedy centefielder that the Twins used a first round pick on. After tearing up spring training, Aaron Hicks would jump from Double-A to claim the starting spot on Opening Day.

Despite having plenty of intrigue surrounding the roster, it appeared as if any and all replacements were of equal or lesser value.

Check out the 2013 Opening Day roster:

Rotation: Vance Worley, Kevin Correia, Mike Pelfrey, Liam Hendriks, and Cole De Vries

Bullpen: Glen Perkins, Jared Burton, Casey Fien, Brian Duensing, Tyler Robertson, Josh Roenicke, and Ryan Pressly

Starters: Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau, Brian Dozier, Trevor Plouffe, Pedro Florimon, Josh Willingham, Aaron Hicks, Chris Parmelee, and Ryan Doumit

Bench: Jamey Carroll, Darin Mastroianni, Eduardo Escobar, and Wilkin Ramirez

Willingham was coming off a massive year in which the Twins missed an opportunity to find a return in their slugger. The lineup saw the additions of Hicks as well as an exciting new second basemen in Dozier.

Sadly for the Twins, pitching was once again an issue. That probably could have been expected with a staff that had Correia in the second slot, a guy returning from Tommy John slated third, and a guy who is now a realtor pitching at the back-end.

Injuries did the 2013 Twins no justice, and dealing assets throughout the season delivered a further blow, but this team wasn’t set up in a good place.