The Twins haven’t had an MVP since Joe Mauer (2009), a Cy Young since Johan Santana (2006), and a Rookie of the Year since Marty Cordova (1995). Minnesota will need better health and standout performances from the team’s top players to end those streaks. Can any of these names beat the odds and walk away with one of baseball’s most prestigious awards?
MVP: Byron Buxton
He is the team’s best overall player and has played at an MVP level when he is healthy. It takes a special season for a player to win the AL MVP, especially with Shohei Ohtani performing highly as a two-way player. Last season, Aaron Judge had to break the AL home run record to beat Ohtani, and the argument could still be made that Ohtani had a better season. For Buxton to win the MVP, he will need to play more games than in any other season. His career high is 140 games, and that came in 2017. Over the last two seasons, he has averaged 76 games, so it might be a tall task for him to play enough to garner MVP votes.
Other MVP Contenders: Luis Arraez will be looking to repeat as the AL Batting Champion. To be in the MVP conversation, he must compile a historically significant batting average.
Cy Young: Kenta Maeda
During the 2020 season, Maeda finished runner-up for the AL Cy Young, carrying the Twins rotation to an AL Central title. He struggled in 2021 before needing Tommy John surgery. Now healthy, Maeda is entering the final year of his contract with something to prove. The 34-year-old has not had an opportunity to test free agency since coming to the United States from Japan. He needs to prove that he is healthy and that he can perform as he did in 2020. Last year’s AL Cy Young winner Justin Verlander signed with the Mets this winter, which leaves the field a little more open.
Other Cy Young Contenders: Sonny Gray is arguably Minnesota’s best starting pitcher, but his veteran track record doesn’t point to a Cy Young-caliber season. Joe Ryan has plenty of potential if he can take the next step in his young career.
Rookie of the Year: Matt Wallner
Joey Gallo’s signing makes it less likely that Wallner breaks camp with the Twins, especially if the team doesn’t trade Max Kepler. Wallner has shown massive power potential in the upper minors and may have surpassed other young outfielders on the organization’s depth chart. Last season, he hit .277/.412/.542 (.953) with 32 doubles, four triples, and 27 home runs. When an injury strikes, Wallner will be one of the first call-ups from Triple-A, which should give him a chance to compile a home run total that puts him in the ROY conversation.
Other ROY Contenders: Louie Varland and Simeon Woods Richardson will each get an opportunity in the rotation. It takes a remarkable season from a pitcher to win the ROY over a position player, but there are plenty of opportunities to shine.
None of these Twins players will be the favorite for any award, especially with the team coming off two losing seasons. There are surprises every year in baseball, and the Twins hope all of the above names have improved 2023 campaigns.
Which player above has the best chance to take home the hardware? Will different players emerge from the Twins? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion.
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