Minnesota Twins: Will miss the playoffs in 2023
Did you see my bold prediction piece on how Carlos Correa was going to opt out of his contract with the Twins, agree to a deal with the San Francisco Giants, then the New York Mets, only to end up signing a simi long-term deal back with the Twins? Yeah, me neither, because no Hollywood script writer could have dreamed up something so outlandish. Well, that is exactly what happened!
Despite winning (by default) the Carlos Correra sweepstakes, the Twins will be average at best this season. There are playoff expectations surrounding this club, but 2023 isn’t going to be the year when they get back to the postseason. There will be bright spots, and I think that Joey Gallo is going to get back to more of his pre-Yankee 2021 self and will thus probably end up being traded at the deadline (if the Rangers are in contention, I could see a possible reunion).
Minnesota added big right-hander in Pablo Lopez to the rotation, but it cost them 2022 batting champion (batting average champion, that is) Luis Arraez. Lopez is a great pitcher that anyone would love to have, but he has never anchored a rotation. He is also coming off the most innings that he has ever pitched in a season by a wide number (180 innings in 2022 compared to 111 innings in 2019) which will be something to keep an eye on.
Minnesota is not a terrible team, but there are just more positives pointing in the directions of the White Sox and Guardians. The Tigers and the Twins will battle it out for third and fourth in the division. Sorry Twins fans, I have a feeling that it will be a somewhat disappointing season for you.