A lot already has to go right for the Twins to make the postseason next year. Joe Ryan and Pablo López need to stay healthy for most of the year; the rest of the starting rotation needs to be more consistent; the depleted bullpen must be much better than it was after last season's trade deadline; and many young hitters must stay healthy and perform to their potential.
To make matters even more difficult for the Twins, their division rival Chicago White Sox shockingly signed Japanese corner infielder Munetaka Murakami, who won two MVPs while playing in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).