#5 Minnesota Twins
The Twins were in contention for a second wild card spot going into the last week of the 2015 season. They fell just short, winning 83 games. The 2016 season appeared bright as their young core had more experience. The Twins regressed severely losing 103 games and finding themselves back in last place. 2017 will not be much different as the Twins future relies heavily on the performance of Byron Buxton and Miguel Sano.
Both Sano and Buxton were former top prospects that have not touched the surface of their potential. They will be surrounded by face of the franchise Joe Mauer who the Twins cannot move due to his massive contract and lack of performance over the last few seasons. The Twins rotation is filled with middling veterans who have already went through the primes of their careers. Twins pitchers Phil Hughes, Ervin Santana, and Hector Santiago just to name a few. Minnesota’s bullpen is a nightmare as well. The only above average arm in their bullpen, left handed closer Glen Perkins, will be on the 60 day disabled list to start the season.
Minnesota’s objective this season should be to let their younger guys play and lose as much as possible in the process. If they get All-Star like years from Buxton or Sano, and are able to flip veteran arms at the deadline for a good prospect haul, Minnesota can continue their youth movement and hope to improve over the upcoming years.