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Minnesota Twins: 5 bold predictions for the Twins this offseason

By Chris Schad

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - SEPTEMBER 14: Madison Bumgarner #40 of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the Miami Marlins during the first inning at Oracle Park on September 14, 2019 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - SEPTEMBER 14: Madison Bumgarner #40 of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the Miami Marlins during the first inning at Oracle Park on September 14, 2019 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images) /
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ST. PETERSBURG, FL – JUNE 1: Byron Buxton #25 of the Minnesota Twins looks to the bench acknowledging his RBI single in the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on June 1, 2019 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)
ST. PETERSBURG, FL – JUNE 1: Byron Buxton #25 of the Minnesota Twins looks to the bench acknowledging his RBI single in the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on June 1, 2019 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images) /

The Twins will extend Buxton and Berrios

Last offseason, the Twins made a head-scratching move at the time by signing Max Kepler and Jorge Polanco to long-term contracts. With both players coming off down years, it was questionable to see how those investments would pay off and if the Twins would regret it by the end of the year.

The answer was not at all. Polanco made the American League All-Star team as its starting shortstop and Kepler put together a season that should have sent him to Cleveland finishing second on the team with 36 home runs. With that type of success, the Twins will likely go to some of their other players to try to get them locked in for the future.

Two players who should be on their radar are Byron Buxton and Jose Berrios. While Buxton will cause an uproar thanks to his injury history, he’s coming off his best statistical season (.262, 10 HR, 46 RBI) of his career and had a higher on-base and slugging percentage than Eddie Rosario.

Some will also be alarmed with the fade that Jose Berrios pulled over the past two seasons, but the Twins have approached him about an extension in each of the past two seasons to only be turned down. Unless Berrios wants to bet on himself again, the Twins may try to lock in the one member who will return to the rotation in 2020.

Next. What the Twins can learn from the Nationals & Astros. dark

The list doesn’t just end with these two as Miguel Sano, Taylor Rogers and others could be persuaded to put ink to paper before spring training, but the Twins will want to keep this team together as long as possible. To do that, being proactive can save the team money and help upgrade in other areas.

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