The Minnesota Twins were the worst team in Major League Baseball this season. Despite equally disturbing and ugly seasons from the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds, the Twins have them both beat in terms of horrendous seasons. The Twins recorded their worst record in the Minnesota Twins era, and if you include the Washington Senators into the mix, this is the worst Twins team record wise since the 1948 Washington Senators. The Twins finished 2016 with a record of 59-103, which included a brutal 0-9 start.
Minnesota surprised baseball pundits in 2015 with a stunning 84-win season and potential wild card berth. However, the Twins front office stood pat in the off season with the belief their young nucleus and relief corps in the minors would be enough to vault them back into contention in 2016. 2016 was an epic disaster for the Twins, which ultimately put the final nail in the coffin for General Manager Terry Ryan who was dismissed back in July.
The top priority for Minnesota will be finding the next person to lead the Twins from the front office perspective. Traditionally, the Twins have looked internally for replacements at the leadership helm. However, after nearly a decade plus of mediocre and no world series appearance since 1991, upper management may decide to look externally for replacements. One of the key issues the Twins will need to solve is starting pitching. Ervin Santana was the ace, even though his numbers do not qualify as ace material. Jose Berrios was expected to successfully make the jump into the majors, however additional seasoning in the minors may be required as he was shelled his first season as a major leaguer.
Brian Dozier blasted 42 long balls out of the stadium in 2016, and was one of the few bright spots on a bleak and dreary Minnesota ball club. Max Kepler launched sixteen balls out of the park for the Twins, and was garnering attention for Rookie of the Year during the month of August when he went on a torrid run. Byron Buxton, arguably one of the top premier talents in all of baseball recovered from his hideous early season result and finished September respectively, which should be a significant confidence booster heading into 2017.
Minnesota faces an uncertain future as front office change looms and lack of pitching depth at the major league level. A young core of hitters is one of the bright spots for the next general manger and will adding pitching depth for the rotation and ‘pen will be top of the list this off season. The Twins are unlikely to drastically improve in 2017, but if new management is able to change the culture and add pitching talent, then 2018 might be a good bet for when the Twins contend for a playoff spot once again.
