The grass is green (kind of), Target Field is ready for baseball (outside of a couple of predicted snow storms) and the Twins are ready for at least 162 games of baseball this season.
As is customary in an "embrace debate" sports world, the WCCO Radio staff is ready to present their "hot takes" for the 2023 version of the Minnesota Twins.
Vineeta Sawkar - Host:
After going to Twins Fest and experiencing some of the excitement, my hopes are high. Keeping Byron Buxton healthy will obviously be the key. Keeping everyone healthy will be important. Hopefully, the starting pitchers will get to throw more innings to save some of the bullpen arms. There is some depth in the starting rotation and that is exciting. I am an optimist so I will say 90 wins. I know the schedule of playing every team might lead some to believe that the Twins will win fewer games but I think this team can reach 90 victories. Go Twins!
Brad Lane - Brand Manager:
If Buxton can stay in the lineup (and get back to patrolling centerfield) the Twins will win the division. IF Pablo Lopez can be a true ace/#1 in the rotation, they'll win their first playoff game since 2003. If the bullpen is solid, they'll actually win a postseason series!
Record: 90-72
Jason DeRusha - Host:
Byron Buxton will play 120 games and he'll hit 40 home runs this season! He'll be healthy and productive and the MVP of the team!
Joe Hiti - Digital Producer:
Byron Buxton will not be a Minnesota Twin by the trade deadline.
Laura Oakes - Anchor:
I predict 88 wins. While they seem to have a better team, they'll be playing a tougher schedule with fewer games against the weaker teams in the AL Central.
Jimmy Erickson - Executive Producer:
Pitching will be better. Yes, I can't believe I said that either!
Twins win 88 games and will be playoff bound. Beer Vendors upset by the pace of games...costing them money!
Adam Carter - Host:
Joe Ryan will be the Twins best starter.
Dan Edwards - Digital Content Manager:
The Twins will win just over 100 games this season and be starting the season with snow on the ground and ending the season in late-October with snow on the ground!
David Josephson - Producer:
The Twins will be hovering around 500 with a chance to win the division at the beginning of September.
Dan Cook - Producer:
Pablo Lopez flourishes in Minnesota, leads the staff in ERA and WAR and finishes in the top 3 of AL Cy Young voting.
Chris Tubbs - Producer:
There's more preseason optimism around this team than in recent memory. Sure, Carlos Correa fell back into their lap and eventually Byron Buxton has to play 120+ games. But the main reason for hope is the depth of their starting rotation and more electric bullpen.
Along with C4 coming back, the Twins were able to add a front line starter in Pablo Lopez (who will get the Opening Day nod in Kansas City.) Combine that with Joe Ryan, Tyler Mahle, a returning Kenta Maeda, and Sonny Gray that's a solid starting five. Assuming they all make 30ish starts (that's a BIG if), and they're allowed to go six plus innings (again, another BIG if) that will allow Rocco Baldelli to be more selective when going to the bullpen, and it *should* be easier to protect leads than years past.
If it all lines up, there's no reason this team can't take the division with 90 wins and also have five starters with double-digit wins, which would be the first time since 2019, and only the third time in thirteen years.
Lindsey Peterson- News Director:
Jose Miranda will have a huge, breakout season for the Twins.
Miranda was one of the team's best hitters before tailing off in August in September. He was red-hot in Spring Training with five doubles and five home runs. He will stay hot and and lead the Twins' offense early in the season.
Here comes the hot-take: Miranda will be an All-Star.