Twins need trio of star hitters to stay healthy
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The trio of Carlos Correa, Royce Lewis and Byron Buxton are key to the Twins' success this year. Photo: Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images
The Twins begin their 2025 season Thursday, and success or failure will depend largely on three things: Carlos Correa's feet, Byron Buxton's back and Royce Lewis's legs.
Why it matters: With waning fan interest following last season's September collapse, the Twins need a big year to put butts back in Target Field seats and eyeballs on TV broadcasts.
The big picture: Despite fan frustrations over ownership spending and the TV situation, this appears to be a pretty good team.
- They're slight favorites to win the mediocre American League Central division, and if they can make the playoffs, the field could be wide open as no team in the AL is projected to win more than 89 games.
- They have a strong and deep rotation of starting pitchers and a bullpen that, if healthy, could be lights out.
Yes, but: Their lineup is shaky and their top three hitters — Correa, Buxton and Lewis — are major injury concerns. They combined to play only 270 out of 486 games last year.
- Lewis will begin the season on the injured list with a hamstring strain.
Catch up quick: This year's roster is remarkably similar to last year's. Longtime right fielder Max Kepler left for Philadelphia and they added journeyman outfielder Harrison Bader on a modest contract.
Zoom out: For many fans, the more intriguing storyline of the season is not what happens on the field but in the owner's suite.
- The Pohlad family put the team up for sale last fall. Hopes that the deep-pocketed Ishbia brothers would buy the Twins were dashed when they chose to pursue the rival Chicago White Sox instead.
- A recent report in The Athletic said the team is still on the market and there's buyer interest, but that the Pohlads are holding out at a $1.7 billion price.
The other side (of the river): St. Paul Saints fans should be excited about the season. They'll get to watch some of the Twins' best prospects in years, including slugger Emmanuel Rodriguez and pitchers David Festa and Zebby Matthews.
- A potential mid-season call-up of phenom Walker Jenkins also looms.
Nick's prediction: The Twins will go 87-75 and win the division thanks to strong pitching. Their weak lineup will cause them to lose in the first round of the playoffs.
Details: First pitch against the Cardinals is in St. Louis at 3:15pm.
- The home opener is April 3 against the Houston Astros.