Key to success for the Twins is a healthy dugout

Many look down on the Twins for their upsetting 2021 season which saw them finish last in the division. What I think is more important to note is how the two years prior to 2021 the Twins were back-to-back AL Central Division Champions, including the historic 2019 “Bomba Squad” season where the Twins hit the most home runs of any Major League Baseball team in a season with 307 bombas.

The first notable move from the Twins this offseason was on Nov. 28, 2021, when Byron Buxton signed a seven-year extension (2022-2028) worth $100 million guaranteed, including a $1 million bonus. Many will argue this deal is not worth it for the organization due to Buxton’s injury history. When healthy, I say with confidence that Buxton is one of the top players in the entire league.

MLB writer Mike Petriello argues that Buxton does not have to play 162 games to be worth the investment, simply because he adds so much value when he’s available, which I entirely agree with.

To repeat what I said earlier: Buxton is one of the top players in the entire league when healthy. His speed on the basepaths and in center field are sublime. His production at the plate is record-breaking, some might even say uncanny. He wants to stay in Minnesota to win and deserves every penny.

On Nov. 30, right-handed relievers Caleb Thielbar and Tyler Duffey both signed one-year contacts (2022) to avoid arbitration. Duffy agreed to $3.8 million and Thielbar $1.3 million. These two pitched more relief innings than any Twin last season and are good arms to have in our bullpen.

From this time until March 12, the Twins were very quiet during the lockout which was no surprise. On Dec. 1, Dylan Bundy agreed to a one-year (2022) deal for $5 million, with a club option for the 2023 season.

Once the MLB reached an agreement with the players association, the league’s free-agency market flipped the “on” switch and became highly active. The Twins did not shy away from making moves.

On March 12, the Twins made the first trade since the lockout, trading catcher Mitch Garver to the Rangers for shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa and minor league pitcher Ronny Henriquez.

At the time of this acquisition, I thought it was fair due to having Ryan Jeffers and Ben Rortvedt as a combo behind the plate in Garver’s absence.

Then a day later, on the 13th, we sent third-basemen Josh Donaldson, Kiner-Falefa and Rortvedt in exchange for catcher Gary Sanchez and infielder Gio Urshela. Like the Garver trade, few people saw it coming.

Sending Rortvedt to the Rangers in exchange for Sanchez fills the void of not having a second catcher, and in my opinion secures a better utility infielder in Gio Urshela.

Sanchez also replaces the power behind that plate that Garver helped contribute to the team. I would not be surprised to see Sanchez inserted as a designated hitter as well.

Donaldson departing the team also freed up $50 million that the Yankees will be guaranteeing through 2023. On the same day the Twins also acquired a quality starter in Sonny Gray from the Cincinnati Reds.

That trade included right-handed prospect Francis Peguero for our 2021 first-round draft pick Chase Petty.

Petty has tons of upside, possessing the ability to throw 100 mph at the high school level, but this trade is good since the Twins are looking to win with the players we have right now.

Gray is set to make $10 million this 2022 season with a club option worth $12 million on his services in 2023. During the 2021 season, he started 26 games posting a 4.19 ERA and a 3.10 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

With savings from the absence of Donaldson and other departures, the Twins signed all-star shortstop Carlos Correa to a three-year, $105.3 million contract with an opt out after years one and two on March 19.

Twins fans can only hope that Correa enjoys his first year so we can keep that kind of talent in the clubhouse. On March 20 pitcher Kenta Maeda was placed on the 60-day Injury List recovering from his right elbow surgery.

The future is bright for this club as they have suddenly emerged as a contender for the World Series this season.

Consistency and health will be the main focus for this team over the length of the 2022 season.