The 2013 Twins

Look at Joe Mauer, looking longingly into the future. This is a good metaphor for the Twins this season. They are still playing this year, but all eyes are on 2014 and beyond, with a slew of minor league prospects and some tradeable commodities this year, the future looks bright.

Wow, Joe Mauer… metaphorical leader.

Let’s take a look at the team in 2013 and figure out what we can expect from what they have.

Infield: We always start with the infield, and it’s always underwhelming. There was the year that the Twins had JJ Hardy and Orlando Hudson up the middle, and that was promising, but it simply hasn’t been since that time. Behind the plate the Twins are set, particularly on offense. Joe Mauer and Ryan Doumit can wield the stick. We will certainly see Drew Butera play a little down the road as well. No serious concerns there (so long as we can assume health).

At the corners you have a couple of guys that will be relied upon for power. Can Trevor Plouffe continue his hot season? I hope so, but not only because he would be a valuable bat in the lineup. Rather, he has personality and I think he is the best prospect to be a clubhouse leader in years to come. They haven’t really had that since Torii Hunter and Nick Punto. Justin Morneau is underrated as a defensive first baseman, and if he is healthy, he should serve as a cornerstone to the lineup (at least through July).

The middle infield is the concern. People will look at the offense from Pedro Florimon and Brian Dozier and likely be filled with consternation, which they have every right to. If they don’t hit, which they probably won’t, the expectation is that they have a slick glove. Florimon has that reputation, whereas Dozier does not. Eduardo Escobar will see plenty of time.

Outfield: The outfield is one heck of a mystery. There are several questions. How will Aaron Hicks manage as the everyday center fielder in his rookie year? How long will Josh Willingham be a part of the roster? When will we see Oswaldo Arcia? Can Chris Parmelee sustain success at this level? I think we aren’t going to be disappointed as long as we go into this with reasonable expectations. Hicks has never played above AA and this is Parmelee’s first full season in the big leagues. Oswaldo Arcia, when he comes, will also be making his debut. They aren’t going to be all stars. Still, so long as they show a little power, some plate patience and don’t bunt all the time, I think they will provide a little bit of hope.

Willingham is a trade target, there is no escaping that fact. Undoubtedly, a guy of his caliber would like to move to a team he can help win while he is still in his 35 home run a season prime. I just hope that the Twins actually pull the trigger and extract some value if they do decide to move him this year.

I love the bench guys the team has. Dain Mastroianni is a speedster that can be used as a pinch runner or replacement fielder when necessary. Wilkin Ramirez, by all accounts, is the ultimate team player and will happily fill the role of bench bat and mentor to the young guys. Ramirez might be a lynchpin to the season, if only for club chemistry.

Rotation: The Twins didn’t make as much of a splash as fans were hoping, but there is no chance that the team will be as dreadful as it was last year. Even if you take the career normal numbers from Vance Worley, Mike Pelfrey and Kevin Correia and expect a 5 ERA from Cole De Vries and Liam Hendriks, the rotation is better. And if you get Kyle Gibson up to replace one of those guys, that’s even better. Sure, last year’s rotation was bad, and it seems foreboding this year, but they were one of the worst in HISTORY last year. They have to be better. That’s just how these things work. Keep in mind, I’m not saying that this rotation is fantastic, I am simply saying that they won’t be one of the worst ever.

Bullpen: The bullpen works. There is a lot to the bullpen that comes from luck because of short appearances and the inherent sample sizes. Jered Burton was a great acquisition last year and Glen Perkins is the teams new quirky closer. I don’t expect them to get any better. In fact, they might get a little bit worse. I do expect the middle relievers to be better because they won’t be worked as hard with the rotation getting deeper into games.

In short, this isn’t a World Series winning team. It’s probably not even a .500 team. I will guess they won’t lose more than 90 games, Ron Gardenhire will likely get an extension, and Twins fans will look forward to an even greater improvement next year, though I think it will take until 2015 before the Twins are truly relevant again.

Still, go Twins!