Diam⚾️ndBuzz

Baseball Classics DiamondBuzz blog brings the heartbeat of Major League Baseball to life, showcasing players and events making waves today. Immerse yourself in the stories that capture the essence of America’s National Pastime.

BaseballClassics.com/DiamondBuzz

Diam⚾️ndBuzz: December 17, 2024

Twins 2024: A Year of Promise and Missed Opportunities

The 2024 Minnesota Twins entered the season with high hopes, as the front office made key moves during the offseason to strengthen a team that had shown flashes of potential in recent years. The Twins, led by manager Rocco Baldelli, were determined to challenge for the AL Central crown and make a deep postseason run. However, despite a series of important acquisitions, unexpected player performances, and team accomplishments, the season ended in frustration as the Twins fell short of their playoff goals. This is the story of their 2024 season, how they fell just shy, and where they are heading for 2025.

Offseason Moves: Strengthening the Core

The 2023-2024 offseason was an active one for the Minnesota Twins, with the front office looking to build on their success in previous years while addressing key areas of need. The most notable move came in the form of Carlos Santana's signing, a veteran presence who added depth to their first base position. Santana, 38, was coming off a solid 2023 season where he contributed 23 home runs and 71 RBIs for the Seattle Mariners. His experience and defensive versatility helped solidify the Twins’ infield, providing them with leadership while backing up José Miranda and Carlos Correa.

In another key move, the Twins signed several pitchers to bolster their bullpen and starting rotation. Jovani Morán and Josh Staumont were signed to provide additional depth, while Ronny Henriquez was added to the pitching mix. The addition of Matt Bowman and Beau Burrows helped provide additional stability to a bullpen that had struggled in previous seasons.

Carlos Correa, the cornerstone of the Twins' infield, was a major contributor during the offseason, agreeing to a long-term deal to remain with the team. The continued presence of Correa, paired with the emergence of Byron Buxton and Max Kepler, provided hope for a potent offensive lineup.

Key Players and Milestones

One of the biggest success stories of the 2024 season was Carlos Correa. The 29-year-old shortstop had an exceptional year, hitting .310 with 14 home runs, 54 RBIs, and an OPS of .905. His leadership both offensively and defensively was a key factor in keeping the Twins competitive throughout the season. Byron Buxton, though plagued by injuries, showed glimpses of his previous form, finishing with 18 home runs and 56 RBIs, contributing to the team’s offense when healthy.

Ryan Jeffers also had an impressive year, playing in 122 games and posting a .226 batting average with 21 home runs and 64 RBIs. His defensive skills behind the plate helped solidify the team’s catching position and provided depth when needed. Similarly, José Miranda came into his own as a steady presence at third base, contributing 9 home runs and 49 RBIs with a .284 batting average. His continued development has the Twins excited about their future in the infield.

On the pitching side, Pablo López led the rotation with 15 wins and a 4.08 ERA. His consistency throughout the season helped anchor a pitching staff that was in search of an identity. Bailey Ober and Joe Ryan also contributed solid innings, finishing with a combined 24 wins and 3.90 ERA. The trio formed a reliable top of the rotation, but the lack of depth behind them was a concern for the Twins down the stretch.

The bullpen, meanwhile, featured key players like Jhoan Durán, who saved 23 games with a 3.64 ERA. However, inconsistent performances from others in the relief corps limited the Twins’ ability to close out games, a critical issue in tight contests.

Trades and Midseason Moves

As the season wore on, the Twins made several key trades to address gaps in their roster. One of the more notable trades came in late July when they dealt Jorge Polanco to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for Darren Bowen and Gabriel Gonzalez. The trade, while giving up an established veteran in Polanco, allowed the team to focus on their future while acquiring young talent. The Twins also bolstered their outfield depth, adding Manuel Margot and acquiring Rayne Doncon from the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for Noah Miller, strengthening their team heading into the final stretch.

However, despite these efforts, the Twins still struggled to find the consistency needed to make a significant playoff push. The trade for Anthony DeSclafani and Justin Topa helped their pitching depth, but the lack of sustained offensive production and defensive lapses remained a recurring issue.

Why They Fell Short: Inconsistent Offense and Injuries

While the Twins’ pitching staff performed well for much of the season, the team’s offense struggled to deliver consistently. Edouard Julien's sophomore season didn’t meet expectations, as he posted a subpar .199 batting average. The inability of key hitters like Max Kepler and Manuel Margot to produce at a high level added to the inconsistency at the plate. The team's overall .246 batting average ranked them near the middle of the league, and their .726 OPS left much to be desired. While players like Carlos Correa and Ryan Jeffers stepped up, the lack of support from other lineup spots left the team vulnerable in key moments.

Injuries also played a significant role in the Twins' shortcomings. Byron Buxton, though productive when healthy, spent significant time on the injured list. This limited his ability to contribute consistently to the team’s success, as the Twins had hoped he would provide the necessary spark atop the lineup.

Looking Ahead: Moves for the Future

Heading into the 2025 season, the Minnesota Twins have already made several key moves to improve their roster. They signed Niko Goodrum, A.J. Alexy, and Josh Staumont to provide additional depth at various positions. The Twins also made moves to improve their pitching staff, with new signings and the addition of prospects like Ronny Henriquez and Jovani Morán bolstering their minor league depth.

The team will likely look to make a few more moves during the offseason, especially to address the lack of offensive consistency. Adding a power bat to complement Carlos Correa and Byron Buxton would provide the Twins with the offensive firepower they need to compete in the loaded AL Central. Whether they choose to pursue another outfielder, a first baseman, or a designated hitter, the Twins have a solid foundation but need to make improvements to remain competitive.

Additionally, while the pitching staff is solid, adding another top-tier starter could help solidify the rotation for the long haul. With young pitchers like Joe Ryan and Bailey Ober in place, an established veteran could provide leadership and help the Twins reach their postseason aspirations.

The Minnesota Twins showed promise in 2024, with notable individual performances and a strong pitching staff. However, their failure to make the playoffs highlights the areas that still need improvement. With a few key moves this offseason and continued development from their young stars, the Twins have the potential to challenge for the AL Central title in 2025. The future remains bright, but the path to contention will require consistency from both the offense and the bullpen.

Diam⚾️ndBuzzExplore More Articles