2027 Minnesota Twins

[Slyder]

For the first time since the hay day of the Twins I feel this team merits a season preview thread.

Expectations: Coming off the most wins since 2022 (83), I have hopes of at least competing for the Wild Card into September. The key will be what the kids do. If the power comes on, bar the doors.

Starters:
CA Fernando Pena- Improved in every statistical category last year. Now he needs to take the next step
1b Enrique Vallejo- Can he break the magical barrier??? 10 HRs!!!
2b Earle Olson- CRUSHED AAA all year, going to hope he can learn it passibly in ST.
3b Justin Hickmon- Can he surpass 1 HR every 266.5 at bats?
ss Val Hunt- 113 games had a .371 OBP. Like everyone else has power potential and can he tap it?
RF Emilio Ramirez- Solid Rookie Year, need to see further development.
CF Dale Ries- No long needed to be in the middle of the lineup, hopefully he can recover 2024 form
LF Jason Lock- there for defense any production is bonus.
DH Daniel Wade- New Deal, same guy. Will bat 2nd to try and maximize his RBI/R potential.

Bench:
1 Leo Varela (R) No Glove PH
2 Porfirio Torre (R) Backup C
3 Eugene Nilles (R) Nice power, good enough glove
4 Eugene Kim (R) Backup Middle Infield Some potential
5 Alberto Arrendondo (S) 4th of

Rotation:
1 Armador Ramirez- Reigning AL Cy Young, AL Rookie of the Year, the phenom, whatever you want to call him can he be as good as he was as a Rookie.
2 Joseph Gehring- Had a solid season, #2 because none of the others have had that solid of a season yet.
3 Johnnie Masselli- Young stud that I need to improve on his rookie season.
4 Lloyd McCarville- Better season, was below average still.
5 Benito Mateo- One more chance to see if hes good or not in the rotation

Bullpen:
1 Harold Richardson- Made closer to see what would happen. Went on to finish 2nd in the AL in saves with 39 in 83 wins.
2 David Nutt- Was absolutely great in the setup role. 2.99 ERA last year.
3 Alexis Berrios- Acquired mid season was rough early on settled into the pen magnificantly in August and September.
4 Max Power- Brought in to take the place of some of the filler I had in the MR area.
5 TBD.

Thoughts/Predictions?

[Kingdom]

Reporter in Stunning HD: Mr. Slyder, how do you plan to stop Cleveland's running assault? Will you sweep the leg?

[Slyder]

Reporter in Stunning HD: Mr. Slyder, how do you plan to stop Cleveland's running assault? Will you sweep the leg?

They can run all they want going back to the dugout. I got away from rangy defenders toward the end of my first run and thats when guys like Degroat seemed to struggle. My rotation shouldnt walk too many guys and when the ball is put into play my d should be able to get to most stuff that doesnt leave the park. As Olson maybe the only guy on defense below about 6 range.

[bipster]

They can run all they want going back to the dugout. I got away from rangy defenders toward the end of my first run and thats when guys like Degroat seemed to struggle. My rotation shouldnt walk too many guys and when the ball is put into play my d should be able to get to most stuff that doesnt leave the park. As Olson maybe the only guy on defense below about 6 range.

Too bad that range won't help the whiplash effect of your pitching staff giving up homeruns to:

Magner
OBanion
Bolen
Klemm
Caffey

[Kingdom]

Oh snap

[Kingdom]

Too bad that range won't help the whiplash effect of your pitching staff giving up homeruns to:

Magner
OBanion
Bolen
Klemm
Caffey

Reporter in Stunning HD: Mr Bipster, what do you say to the accusations that Obannion was taking steroids while in Philadelphia, leading to his demise late last season?

[Slyder]

Too bad that range won't help the whiplash effect of your pitching staff giving up homeruns to:

Magner
OBanion
Bolen
Klemm
Caffey

Too bad solo shots don't hurt that much. I just hate that were going to greet a great Twin by bashing his head in.

[bipster]

Reporter in Stunning HD: Mr Bipster, what do you say to the accusations that Obannion was taking steroids while in Philadelphia, leading to his demise late last season?

completely untrue, he simply pulled his Anterior Cruciate Ligament after sneezing while sitting in the hot tub. The jerking motion of his body from the sheer force of the sneeze is what caused it. At least, that is what Mr Obanion reported to our trainer.

[bipster]

Too bad solo shots don't hurt that much. I just hate that were going to greet a great Twin by bashing his head in.

Degroat has been working on his high and tight fast ball this off season. Expect a lot of dirty butts on your squad when they face, if there aren't any dirty butts....well, expect a lot of concussions.

[Slyder]

My team will gladly take the walks.

Pena 9 Eye
Olson 10 Eye
Hunt 10 Eye
Lizardo 10 Eye

BTW we play what 15 times or something.... Beware taking "the Bull" by the horn .

[Saber]

You're team sucks.

[Kingdom]

Yes, you are team does suck!
What?
Saber with a typo!

[Kingdom]

completely untrue, he simply pulled his Anterior Cruciate Ligament after sneezing while sitting in the hot tub. The jerking motion of his body from the sheer force of the sneeze is what caused it. At least, that is what Mr Obanion reported to our trainer.

Reporter: Then how do you explain his name being on the Mitchell Jr. Report?

[bipster]

The Mitchell Jr Report was referencing different Senators that wanted to do something about the steroid problem and Mitchell Jr was trying to spell Obama and came up with Obanion.

[Kingdom]

The Mitchell Jr Report was referencing different Senators that wanted to do something about the steroid problem and Mitchell Jr was trying to spell Obama and came up with Obanion.

Reporter: Are you Sarah Palin, constantly dodging the pressing issues at hand? You are every bit as ugly.