Re-learning lessons from 2022
When I look at the current Minnesota Twins roster, I do not see a squad bereft of talent. To the contrary, the Twins are strong and talent-rich in multiple areas. But as the 2022 collapse revealed—and 2023’s roster-management seemingly fixed until it all fell by the wayside in 2024—this is a team that absolutely needs depth to sustain a run to the postseason.
One thing to be clear on: Byron Buxton & Carlos Correa are likely never going to be 130+ game contributors in any given season. That’s the bargain—Faustian though it may be—this organization struck to keep them. The Twins only have C-4 because others balked at his medicals, while Buck’s deal is discounted to essentially bake-in missed time.
With that in mind, the Twins’ front office would do well towards preventing another epic collapse by making these three depth moves before the ’25 season:
Depth Move #1: Buxton back-up
Byron played in 102 games and accumulated 388 PA in 2024—both highs for him since 2017. In ’23 Michael A. Taylor filled in admirably but had “career year” vibes—especially in HRs—and I understood the desire to not bring him back (his ’24 bore that out).
But 2024’s Buck Truck backups were: A. A young guy nobody trusted at any OF position (Austin Martin); & B. A guy Baldelli immediately soured upon in CF and eventually set the all-time futility mark for pinch-hitting (Manuel Margot).
Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images
Unless Martin drastically improves defensively, DaShawn Keirsey is a legitimate option, or Rocco is okay with 50-60 games of Willi Castro removed from platoon deployment (unlikely), the Twins need a legitimate defensive CF option behind Buxton.
Depth Move #2: Correa contingency
Up through last season, Kyle Farmer was a legitimate backup SS. But even just to the naked eye he has lost a step. Much like the depth (or lack thereof) behind Buxton, this posed a problem with Carlos Correa only appearing in 86 G and coming to the plate 367 times.
Yes, as always Castro could fill in—but that removes his flexibility. Brooks Lee seems more destined for 3B (where he could cover a next potential Royce Lewis injury) or 2B. Shortstop is too valuable of a spot to break up other plans if Correa’s feet/legs are never fully underneath him (and one has to assume that going forward now).
Depth Move #3: SP supplement
A 2025 rotation of Pablo Lopez, Bailey Ober, Joe Ryan, Simeon Woods-Richardson, & Chris Paddack looks pretty good on paper—especially considering the likes of David Festa & Zebby Matthews gaining experience in ‘24. But what if Ryan isn’t ready-to-rock by next April? Again trying to learn from recent mistakes, I don’t think one can elevate Paddack out of that 5th slot—not with the injury concerns even after his big absence and his 1.39 WHIP.
Unless the org feels like Matthews, Festa, or Randy Dobnak (Lord help us) is ready to take the “next step”, another SP would be nice to avoid 2024’s “3/5 rookie rotation in a playoff race” debacle.
Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images
Will any of this happen? That is up to the Pohlad ownership group possibly a new ownership group. But even if it takes trading away some organizational depth to acquire MLB-ready depth, I’m okay with it. I don’t believe this unit—as currently constructed—can survive without a deep bench both literally and figuratively.