2020 Lineup Discussion

[MadThinker88]

After the Twins got another starter (Kenta Maeda) while giving up a prospect as part of the Betts deal, I am now able to see the Twins as the favorites in the AL Central.
That said, its a nose ahead of the Tribe. Tito & Co could always win the race..

 

[bushwick_bill]

Red Sox trade wow.

 

[Steve_424]

I'm an Indians homer and I just can't argue the Twins aren't the favorite.

 

[Derek]

I'm an Indians homer and I just can't argue the Twins aren't the favorite.

I just don’t see them as the favorite.

I think it’s close, but the Indians have a slight edge.

Being a homer has nothing to do with it either. Most projections and predictions I’ve seen have us as slight favorites.

Sometimes I think we’re too close to the situation to recognize how good our team actually is while putting all our competition on a pedestal.

 

[BMAN]

I think the Twins offense is going to be great again. Their pitching really doesn’t do it for me though. Bunch of “meh” guys.

 

[petes999]

I just don’t see them as the favorite.

I think it’s close, but the Indians have a slight edge.

Being a homer has nothing to do with it either. Most projections and predictions I’ve seen have us as slight favorites.

Sometimes I think we’re too close to the situation to recognize how good our team actually is while putting all our competition on a pedestal.

Where are these predictions? Most I see have Twins up and us slightly ahead of Sox. Betting lines are about Twins +5 wins. Usatoday said their writers predict twins by 8 games (seems a bit high ... 5 seems right).

 

[Urban]

Opening Day Rotation:
Jose Berrios
Jake Odorizzi
Kenta Maeda
Homer Bailey
Jhouyls Chacin?

Then they get Pineda back in early May. Rich Hill expected to be back. Young guys like Lewis Thrope, Devin Smetlzer, and Randy Dobnak available if needed, although one of these guys may be on the Opening Day roster in place of Chacin. And despite trading Graterol, they still have a strong farm to add a top arm at the deadline if available.

I'd say they have the 6th best rotation in the AL behind (in no order) the Yankees, Rays, Rangers, Astros, and Indians. The Astros and Indians both have a very strong 1-2 punch, but fair to say there are questions beyond that.

I think their rotation is certainly good enough for the regular season, but skeptical come playoff time.

 

[Derek]

Where are these predictions? Most I see have Twins up and us slightly ahead of Sox. Betting lines are about Twins +5 wins. Usatoday said their writers predict twins by 8 games (seems a bit high ... 5 seems right).

Numerous outlets. I saw us with +110 odds vs the Twins +125 to win the Central as recently as yesterday., and I know I saw a statistical model on ESPN recently that had us projected with more wins.

Either way, it's a toss-up at worst. I'll take the Indians because I think we saw a lot of Twins players peak last season.

 

[bushwick_bill]

Indians season is contingent upon signing Puig.

 

[Steve_424]

Numerous outlets. I saw us with +110 odds vs the Twins +125 to win the Central as recently as yesterday., and I know I saw a statistical model on ESPN recently that had us projected with more wins.

Either way, it's a toss-up at worst. I'll take the Indians because I think we saw a lot of Twins players peak last season.

I'm not saying I don't believe you, but I haven't seen any. If you come across a link, please share it.

The Twins got better this offseason. Donaldson is a major impact signing. Did we get better? The rotation is a little worse without Kluber, the bullpen is probably better, the lineup is probably about the same (+Hernandez, -Puig, Kipnis). Unless you think the Twins were a complete fluke last year, we are the underdogs in the race.

 

[Derek]

I'm not saying I don't believe you, but I haven't seen any. If you come across a link, please share it.

The Twins got better this offseason. Donaldson is a major impact signing. Did we get better? The rotation is a little worse without Kluber, the bullpen is probably better, the lineup is probably about the same (+Hernandez, -Puig, Kipnis). Unless you think the Twins were a complete fluke last year, we are the underdogs in the race.

Yeah, I think we're absolutely better now than we were last year. I'm not sure it's even a debate.

Kluber provided zero toward our 93 wins last season, and a full year of Hernandez is about 3x as valuable as what Puig gave us last season plus a full year of Reyes, Mercado, and a hopefully expanded role for Luplow plus (fingers crossed) a healthier season for Clev, Jose, Lindor, and Carrasco (we had arguably the worst injury luck in the league last year).

I don't think the Twins were a complete fluke, but I also don't see Kepler and Polanco being 4+ WAR guys again this year, nor do I expect the ball to be as juiced this year which definitely aided their extreme flyball tendencies.

Like I said, we're probably about even.

 

[Steve_424]

Yeah, I think we're absolutely better now than we were last year. I'm not sure it's even a debate.

Kluber provided zero toward our 93 wins last season, and a full year of Hernandez is about 3x as valuable as what Puig gave us last season plus a full year of Reyes, Mercado, and a hopefully expanded role for Luplow plus (fingers crossed) a healthier season for Clev, Jose, Lindor, and Carrasco (we had arguably the worst injury luck in the league last year).

I don't think the Twins were a complete fluke, but I also don't see Kepler and Polanco being 4+ WAR guys again this year, nor do I expect the ball to be as juiced this year which definitely aided their extreme flyball tendencies.

Like I said, we're probably about even.

Not even sure it's a debate? I mean, sure it is.

 

[Obscured By Clouds]

Indians season is contingent upon signing Puig.

He is projected to be under a 2 WAR in 2020. He is not the answer.

 

[Derek]

Not even sure it's a debate? I mean, sure it is.

I'm not sure how. We've done nothing but upgrade the team that won 93 games last year.

Will they execute on the field? You never know. Baseball is full of randomness, but the roster is undeniably better.

 

[Steve_424]

I'm not sure how. We've done nothing but upgrade the team that won 93 games last year.

Will they execute on the field? You never know. Baseball is full of randomness, but the roster is undeniably better.

It's not though. I wish it was, but this team is full of question marks.

Can Carrasco be a full-time starter again? And at what level?

Can Civale/Plesac/Plutko hold down the 4-5 spots over the course of a full season?

Which Jose will show up?

Who can you count on in critical situations in the pen aside from Hand?

Who the hell will produce in the outfield?

They could win 80 games, they could win 90+, but with so much up in the air I'm not sure I'd be willing to bet they will match or top last year's 93 wins.