The Minnesota Twins head into the 2013 season with admittedly more questions than answers after a 66-96 finish in 2012, good for last in the American League Central. Good news about 2012: The team scored 80 more runs than it did in 2011, with outstanding offensive seasons from free agent left fielder Josh Willingham (.260 – 35 HR – 110 RBI) and Joe Mauer (.319 – 85 RBI, 90 Walks) plus an encouraging return to action from 2010 MVP Justin Morneau (.267- 19 HR – 77 RBI). The offense also got surprise contributions from C/IB/DH Ryan Doumit (.275 -18 HR- 75 RBI) and Trevor Plouffe (24 HRs). The table was set by speedsters Ben Revere and Denard Span (57 stolen bases combined).
| Diamond In the Front |
Unfortunately, a pretty good offensive season by the Twins hitters was for naught as the pitching couldn’t miss bats (.274 batting average against – 29th in the MLB) and couldn’t strike guys out (943 strikeouts as a staff – 30th in the MLB). One pitcher struck out more than 100 batters, presumptive ace Scott Diamond, with 109. So when aggrandizing the Twins chances in 2013, let’s take a glass half-full approach and consider the starting pitching staff as addition by subtraction. Gone are Francisco Liriano (traded to Pirates), Nick Blackburn (moved to the pen) and Carl Pavano (released); these four all had ERAs over 5.3.
Since the success of the Twins is predicated upon pitching let’s look at the potential five-man rotation as things have taken shape during the offseason. Scott Diamond- The staff ace from last year, Diamond went 12-9 with a sparkling 3.54 ERA despite overpowering stuff. Logged 173 innings and looks to be a workhorse and innings-eater. Look for 200 innings, 13-15 wins and a sub 4.00 ERA.Vance Worley- The former Phillies fourth starter comes over in the Ben Revere trade. Was very good in 2011, then fell off a bit in 2012 with a troublesome elbow. He can strike guys out but needs his command. If he’s healthy he’s in the running for the “staff ace” title.Kevin Correia – A back end rotation guy who had quietly decent years with the Padres and Pirates (46-43 win/ loss in four years), he was owner Terry Ryan’s free agent snare in the offseason, signing a two-year deal. His game is command; doesn’t strike guys out but doesn’t walk them either (46 passes in 171 innings in 2012). Mike Pelfrey – Another back end guy for the Mets who was two years removed from 15-9 and 3.66 with New York in 2010; coming off Tommy John surgery May 1, 2012.
The fifth starter will be among a group of guys, namely Brian Duensing, Cole DeVries, Rich Harden, Liam Hendricks and others. As far as power pitchers, Hendricks and newly acquired Trevor May may provide some strikeouts to the more finesse-sided group.
| Twins Need More of Old Morneau |
The starting lineup is projected to look like this:
- Darin Mastroianni, OF - Speedy guy (30 swipes, easy) with some power
- Jamey Carroll, 2B - No power, but will hit for average
- Joe Mauer, C - Expect usual 300-10-80 season from him
- Josh Willingham - Usual .260-25-90 from him
- Justin Morenau - Could bounce back in a big way
- Ryan Doumit - Could continue to progress
- Chris Parmalee - Relatively unknown
- Trevor Plouffe - Pressed to hit 20 HR’s again
- Pedro Florimon - Speedy guy who will surprise
In summation, the Twins can play and be competitive in a relatively wide-open AL Central (with the exception of Detroit) with the aging White Sox, an enigmatic Royals squad and a Cleveland team with its own pitching problems. Their offense could be aided tremendously with a healthy Justin Morneau, and surprises from their unknowns Mastrioanni, Parmalee and Florimon. If they can get decent pitching from Liam Hendricks and/or Rich Harden, the Twins could be sneaky good in 2013.
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