After an epic collapse in the second half of the 2024 season it is definitely easy to have a gloomy outlook on the Minnesota Twins moving forward. In an effort to establish some pre-holiday cheer, let’s remember there are reasons to remain optimistic.
The team is built on a solid mix of emerging talent and experienced veterans, creating a promising foundation that could lead to success. It’s not also totally outside the realm of possibility that the team makes some moves in free agency, especially if they’re budget deals on the cheap.
It’s easy to skew negative given how the season ended and the grim outlook everyone has thanks to how frugal the Pohlad’s have been. A payroll of around $130 million isn’t exactly something to get excited about considering most of that money is already accounted for, which means the likelihood of moves seems slim.
Still, getting too upset about not making additions overlooks how great the team is right now and some bright spots we should all be focusing on.
Reasons to remain optimistic about the Twins this offseason
First and foremost, the pitching rotation is solid for the Twins. With Pablo López, Joe Ryan, Bailey Ober, Simeon Woods-Richardson, Chris Paddack, David Festa, and Zebby Matthews returning, the team boasts a dynamic group of starters. López has the potential to be a true ace, with his ability to command all four pitches and his elite strikeout stuff. Joe Ryan has emerged as a reliable top-of-the-rotation arm with an electric fastball and impressive poise. Bailey Ober offers a strong presence with his excellent control and ability to get ground balls, making him a key contributor.
The upside of Simeon Woods-Richardson, David Festa and Zebby Matthews, all of whom showed promise, adds a layer of depth to the rotation, and they could make significant strides in 2025. With this stable of pitchers, the Twins are positioned to be competitive on the mound for the foreseeable future.
Offensively, the team has a talented veteran core that provides leadership and consistency. Byron Buxton, when healthy, is one of the most dynamic players in the game. His combination of power, speed, and defensive prowess makes him an indispensable part of the lineup. Carlos Correa, a proven postseason performer, is a steadying force at shortstop and offers a steady bat in the middle of the order. Willi Castro’s versatility and Ryan Jeffers' development as a catcher give the team depth and flexibility offensively.
Equally exciting is the team’s promising young core. Players like Brooks Lee, Royce Lewis, and Matt Wallner all represent the future of the organization. Brooks Lee, with his advanced hitting ability, could be a fixture at shortstop or second base. Royce Lewis, who has shown immense potential when healthy, could be a star in the making. Matt Wallner has the power to provide a spark in the outfield, and if his strikeout rate improves, he could become a major offensive weapon.
Finally, the back end of the bullpen is a critical strength. Jhoan Duran, with his triple-digit fastball and devastating slider, has established himself as one of the league’s top closers. Griffin Jax, a reliable setup man, has shown the ability to pitch in high-leverage situations with success. Together, they give the Twins a formidable back-end duo to close out games.
With a well-rounded roster, strong pitching staff, and a mix of youth and experience, the 2025 season does hold some promise for the Minnesota Twins.
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