Minnesota Twins: 3 New Year’s Resolutions for the Twins in 2021

Minnesota Twins Resolution No. 3: Win a Playoff Game and Series

Alright, it’s time to get down to business. The most important thing the Minnesota Twins have to do in 2021? Win. This team may not have the talent yet to go toe-to-toe with the Los Angeles Dodgers or San Diego Padres, but this team has the ability to match up with any American League team.

They’ve had that ability for most of their playoff teams this century. The Twins teams in 2004, 2006, 2009, and 2010 were all far too talented to win a combined one playoff game. The 18 straight years without a series victory is insanity and 18 straight games without a win is embarrassing.

The Twins had the perfect opportunity to get the monkey off their back in 2020 against the Houston Astros. The Astros .483 winning percentage was tied for the lowest of any team to make the playoffs in MLB history, but they still were swept.

It’s clear that this core is talented, and the young prospect reinforcements will help the team stay in the playoff race, and I honestly think that Minnesota still will take home the divisional crown. It just then becomes about being successful when you get there.

The Twins saw the downsides of over-coaching in 2020, as pulling Jose Berrios (by Baldelli) and Blake Snell (by Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash) both were disastrous for their teams during their squads’ playoff runs. The team can learn from this. Trust analytics for most of the year, but you have to use a little bit of feel when managing.

A World Series should always be the goal for professional baseball teams, and even if the Twins’ resolutions don’t get them all the way through October, it’ll be so nice to break the streak of poor playoff appearances. Here’s hoping 2021 is better than 2020!