The Twins went from World Series contenders to pretenders in one easy season. They fell to last in the AL Central after winning their division over the previous two years. Compared to 2019, Minnesota scored 210 fewer runs (729 – 14th) while giving up 80 more runs (4.83 ERA – 26th). They ranked 5th in home runs (228) and 24th in stolen bases (54). Their bullpen finished 34 wins, 31 losses, and 42 saves with a 4.39 ERA (20th).
Minnesota lost SP Michael Pineda, RP Alex Colome, and SS Andrelton Simmons to free agency. The Twins signed SP Dylan Bundy plus three minor league arms (SP Jharel Cotton, SP Jake Faria, and RP Danny Coulombe).
Their starting rotation is in rebuild mode while lacking any front-end aces. SP Joe Ryan and SP Bailey Ober flashed at times in 2021, but they don’t own elite prospect pedigree.
