03-24-2024 MLB Preview - Flipbook - Page 21
MLB ’24 AL CENTRAL PREVIEW MINNESOTA TWINS
Sunday, March 24, 2024 21
2023: 87-75, first place, lost to Houston in Division Series | Manager: Rocco Baldelli (sixth season) | Opening Day: March 28 at Kansas City
OVERVIEW
TOP HITTERS
3B Royce Lewis (.309, 15 HRs, 52 RBIs in 58
games), SS Carlos Correa (.230, 18, 65),
CF Byron Buxton (.207, 17, 42 in 85 games
as DH), RF Max Kepler (.260, 24, 66), 2B
Edouard Julien (.263, 13, 37, .839 OPS in
109 games).
PROJECTED ROTATION
RH Joe Ryan (11-10, 4.51, 197 Ks in 161 ⅔ IP),
RH Bailey Ober (8-6, 3.43), RH Chris Paddack (5.40 ERA in 2 relief appearances after
recovering from Tommy John surgery), RH
Anthony DeSclafani (4-8, 4.88 in 99 ⅔ IP
for Giants).
ONE TO WATCH
RH Pablo López (11-8,
3.66 ERA, 234 Ks in
194 IP)
KEY RELIEVERS
RH Jhoan Durán (3-6, 2.45 ERA, 27 saves,
84 Ks in 62 ⅓ IP), RH Griffin Jax (6-10, 3.86,
4 saves), LH Caleb Thielbar (3-1, 3.23), RH
Brock Stewart (2-0, 0.65, 1 save in 27 ⅔ IP).
OUTLOOK
Free agency took some bite out of their
rotation, with Sonny Gray and Kenta Maeda
departing for other clubs, but the Twins
remain in solid position to defend their
division title with their AL Central competitors posing less of a collective threat than
any of MLB’s other divisions. The payroll
has been trimmed in response to a dip in
regional television revenue, but the low-key
acquisitions of Carlos Santana and Manuel
Margot ought to give the lineup a boost of
experience, durability and fielding expertise. Most vital to Minnesota’s success will
be better health and production from stars
Buxton and Correa. Buxton is returning
to CF after knee trouble limited him to DH
duty in what was mostly a lost season.
Paddack, who recovered from Tommy John
surgery in time to join the bullpen for the
playoffs, will be counted on to help solidify
the rotation. DeSclafani and Topa arrived
in a trade that sent Jorge Polanco to the
Mariners, with Julien appearing ready for
a full season of action after an impactful
rookie year.
GERALD
HERBERT/AP
— Associated Press
HE’S HERE
1B Carlos Santana (left), OF Manuel Margot, RHP Anthony DeSclafani, RHP Justin Topa, LHP Steven Okert, RHP Jay Jackson,
RHP Josh Staumont.
HE’S OUTTA HERE
RHP Sonny Gray, RHP Kenta Maeda, 2B Jorge Polanco, OF Michael A. Taylor, INF Donovan Solano, RHP Emilio Pagán,
INF Nick Gordon, RHP Tyler Mahle, OF Joey Gallo.
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