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It’s Safe To Consider The Twins Offseason A Success

By Ted Schwerzler |
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Earlier last week, we looked back at everything that took place this season for the Twins. With some of the most exciting young prospects looking to debut at the major league level in the coming year, there was already plenty of buzz for the 2015 Twins. With that in mind, Minnesota did plenty at the major league level to make sure the 2015 season was not a repeat of the past four. At this point, it’s fair to say that the Twins did exactly what they needed to this offseason.

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Once again in 2014, the Twins found themselves at the mercy of a struggling pitching staff. Outside of Phil Hughes the Twins found more questions than answers on the mound. While the offense was a pleasant surprise, knowing that regression would come into play, the Twins needed to make sure a big step back wasn’t something that was going to take place. Finally, there had to be some sweeping changes made in the organization, if a new culture of winning was going to be ushered in.

It appears that the Twins and Terry Ryan had a very real process laid out, and it led them to what should be regarded as one of the best offseason in quite some time. Let’s take a look at the biggest areas of execution.

Sep 15, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Ervin Santana (30) delivers a pitch to a Washington Nationals batter in the fifth inning of their game at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

Pitching As An Asset

We’ve used this moniker a handful of times this offseason but it finally makes sense for the Twins. After hitting a home run with Hughes in 2014, the Twins can consider the starting rotation a strength as they head into 2015. While the offseason only saw the addition of Ervin Santana, the Twins should also get a much better Ricky Nolasco (yes, it’s fair to say he can’t be much worse). Throwing in a now-seasoned Kyle Gibson, and a fifth starter that is pulled from names like Tommy Milone, Trevor May, and Alex Meyer, and the Twins have themselves a major league quality five.

Oct 5, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers right fielder Torii Hunter (48) at bat against the Baltimore Orioles during game three of the 2014 ALDS baseball playoff game at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Lineup Primed To Handle Regression

Last season, Kurt Suzuki and Danny Santana came out of nowhere to pace a Twins lineup that saw itself rank amongst the best in baseball when it came to scoring runs. There’s almost next to no way that either of them produce to the same extent they did in 2014, and the Twins made sure they don’t feel as though they have to. While only Torii Hunter was brought in on the offensive side, his bat is still an asset in any major league lineup. The power numbers should be somewhat dwarfed in the expansive Target Field, but betting Torii can still hit is a good feeling to have. Adding Josmil Pinto and a full year of Kennys Vargas into the Twins lineup isn’t going to hurt power production, and Joe Mauer should be expected to return to the hitter he has always been now more comfortable with his first base role.

May 17, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Twins coach Paul Molitor looks on from the dug out in the first inning against the Seattle Mariners at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Dealing With Change

While not an easy decision, Terry Ryan made the move to excuse Ron Gardenhire from his position as Twins manager. With that decision came the fallout that is moving on from the majority of the coaching staff as well. Although you’d find a hard argument to suggest that Gardenhire was the root of losing, he also hadn’t been the factor in turning the club around either. Rick Anderson had seemingly lost the pitching staff, and new voices needed to be brought in. Paul Molitor allows the organization some fresh perspective, even while having served in a limited capacity previously. Perhaps the biggest change was the Twins bringing in Neil Allen as pitching coach, formerly of the Tampa Bay Rays organization, to help turn around what has been the crux of recent seasons. All signs point to positive receptions thus far, and the Twins should find themselves continuing to adjust throughout Spring Training.

Mar 4, 2014; Jupiter, FL, USA; Minnesota Twins center fielder Byron Buxton (70) runs down the first base line during a spring training game against the Miami Marlins at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Supplementing The Youth

In recent offseason, fans around Twins Territory have beat the proverbial payroll drum suggesting that the team wasn’t living up to the billing that a new stadium would bring massive payrolls and better teams. While great in concept, the notion lacks any understanding of the game of baseball as a whole. The Twins showed this offseason that they waited, and picked their spot, supplementing an overflowing farm system with veteran talent. Now that names like Byron Buxton, Miguel Sano, and Jose Berrios will surface at the major league level, rounding out the roster with veteran contract made sense. Minnesota has spent money on pitching, where it makes the most sense, and enters the 2015 season with the second highest payroll in organization history.

All of these things taking place during the offseason add up to what should be a season of hope for the Twins in 2015. While sports books have the Twins projected at 70.5 wins in 2015, the heavy favorite is on the over, and the Twins look to be one of the surprise teams in the American League. All signs point to the losing trend coming to a halt, and the 2015 season will lay that foundation going forward.

Next: What Did You Miss From The Twins This Offseason?

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