Minnesota Twins
Following their 2017 post-season run, the Twins regressed to just 78 wins in 2018. Their 2019 season will say everything about Minnesota’s approach. If they continue to slide, a tear-down could be in order. But if players such as Byron Buxton and Miguel Sano return to their 2017 form, the Twins will be a team to watch next winter.
At present, they are scheduled to hit that off season with zero dollars in payroll commitments. Of their potential free agents, only pitcher Kyle Gibson would be viewed as a cornerstone piece. Most of their cornerstone talents – Sano, Jose Berrios and Max Kepler, will only be arbitration 1s, meaning they would project to earn no more than $2 million or $3 million.
Historically the Twins have operated with a payroll between $100 and $120 million. Even assuming they don’t increase that – which they could – Minnesota would have the resources to attract nearly any free agent (or free agents) Twins management believes fills a team need.
Their position is only intensified if they make gains on the AL Central-leading Cleveland Indians in 2019, a possibility that is hardly out of the question. If that happens, front-line 2020 free agents could see the Twins as a legitimate playoff contender both immediately and long-term.