Minnesota Twins: Are They Doomed to Mediocrity?

A horrible 2016 has the Minnesota Twins going the wrong way in the American League Central. Will the future get better?

The Minnesota Twins are on pace to have their worst season since 1982. They have come close to losing 100 games since the first season in the Metrodome, but this year should see them break the futility mark.

Are the Twinkies doomed the rest of the decade? Will fans talk about the Vikings chances on baseball’s Opening Day?

No and yes. The Vikings are always in season. The Twins being horrible is another story.

Last year, general manager Terry Ryan brought in Hall of Famer Paul Molitor to manage the club. It worked as the Twins finished above .500 for the first time since 2010. Miguel Sano paced the offense and the starting rotation was consistent. From Kyle Gibson to Ervin Santana, the starting pitching was solid, but not spectacular.

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This year is different. Twins Owner Jim Pohlad fired Ryan. The pitching staff cannot stay healthy. Four regulars in the rotation and pen are hurt. Phil Hughes and Glen Perkins are done for the year. Gibson went from a 3.84 ERA to 5.17. Santana may be traded before the waiver deadline. All is not well in Minnesota.

There is hope, however, for the future. Pohlad will increase the payroll if he sees progress. The front office plans to join other teams in hiring a director of baseball operations to oversee a new general manager. You can ask the Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox how that change has worked. An organization where managerial changes are few and the plan is to give Molitor a third year in the dugout. Stability remains a hallmark.

Aside from the pitching staff regaining health, much of tomorrow’s hope comes down to how well hot prospects Byron Buxton and Byung Ho Park pan out. Their seasons are a disaster. Both players hit under .200 and are back in the minor leagues. Between Buxton and Park, they struck out 160 times combined in 412 at-bats.

Buxton is 22, still young enough to put all the pressure behind him of a five-star prospect and learn to succeed in the Majors. Park is 29. His prime is now.

With Sano and second baseman Brian Dozier wielding power bats, and legend Joe Mauer still productive, Minnesota has a good offensive core. If Buxton and Park can learn to hit big league pitching, the Twins will produce with the other contenders.

What they can salvage from their pitches will tell the future. Jose Berrios is considered their best pitching prospect, but nine starts this year earned him a 2-4 record with a 9.24 ERA. Others such as Tyler Jay and Steven Gonzalez are well thought of, but not close to ready.

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Keeping the team healthy is the first priority next year. If Buxton, Berrios and Park can play at a high level every day, the playoffs can be within reach.