2015 Minnesota Twins: Winning On The Horizon

Sep 27, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Ricky Nolasco (47) pitches in the first inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

2014 Minnesota Twins (70-92 Last in the AL Central)

Last season, the prospects seem to truly be on the horizon, the turnaround was gaining steam, and then it happened. Byron Buxton was slow to get out of the gate, and Miguel Sano watched his season end before it started. With the excitement of those names off of the board, the Twins would have to rely on those in place to carry them.

On paper, the changes seemed to make sense, but things didn’t play out all to kindly.

Your 2014 Twins Opening Day roster:

Rotation: Ricky Nolasco, Phil Hughes, Kevin Correia, Mike Pelfrey, and Kyle Gibson

Bullpen: Glen Perkins, Jared Burton, Casey Fien, Brian Duensing, Samuel Deduno, Caleb Thielbar, and Anthony Swarzak

Starters: Kurt Suzuki, Joe Mauer, Brian Dozier, Trevor Plouffe, Pedro Florimon, Josh Willingham, Aaron Hicks, Oswaldo Arcia, and Jason Kuble

Bench: Josmil Pinto, Chris Colabello, Eduardo Escobar, and Jason Bartlett

The band getting back together was a brutal idea as it played out. Bartlett looked lost, and Kubel offered very little. Mauer struggled in his first season at first base, and the Twins big splash pitching free agent Ricky Nolasco, never got it going.

Chris Colabello not only led the Twins in RBIs for a good portion of the season, as well as having a themed giveaway night. Week later he became a guy that was virtually worthless to the club, essentially writing the narrative of the season.

With that much negativity to dwell on in recent years, it’s now time to understand why there is renewed hope.