Star Tribune staff predicts the Twins season

Predicted record:

85-77

AL Central finish:

3rd

The Twins are an "if" team. They can win the division if Miguel Sano can play right field and continue to be dominant at the plate. And if Byung Ho Park's power hitting can carry over from South Korea to the majors. And if Byron Buxton can start showing he's the next great Twins center fielder. If those things happen they can win the American League Central, but none of those things is guaranteed.

Predicted record:

79-83

AL Central finish:

4th

For all the obvious young talent (and growing excitement) in camp, this team still feels like it's a year away. This is the year Byron Buxton and Jose Berrios and Max Kepler and Nick Burdi get comfortable, and the Twins figure out whether Miguel Sano can really play the outfield. The big breakthrough comes in 2017, when the Twins have figured out how all the parts mesh; until then, they'll do well to stay close to Cleveland and Kansas City.

Predicted record:

84-78

AL Central finish:

3rd

The Twins didn't make any splashy moves during the offseason, but full seasons from slugger Miguel Sano and Ervin Santana will keep this team competitive. Trevor May and Kevin Jepsen in the bullpen all season helps as well. But who will lead? The Angels won 11 fewer games and the Tigers won 16 fewer the year after Torii Hunter left.

Patrick Reusse

Predicted record:

84-78

AL Central finish:

3rd

The Twins will finish behind Kansas City and Detroit and ahead of Cleveland and Chicago — if Miguel Sano gets to the plate 600 times. If that total is closer to 400, the Twins will finish 76-86 and battle the Mighty Whiteys for last place in the AL Central. The big kid is that important.

Chip Scoggins

Predicted record:

86-76

AL Central finish:

2nd

National publications don't think highly of the Twins, but they won 83 games last season and should be improved this season. They get a full season of Ervin Santana and Sano. If Byron Buxton and Byung Ho Park prove they can hit big-league pitching — still ifs at this point — the lineup becomes much deeper. Being in contention for the postseason again should be the expectation for this team.

Jim Souhan

Predicted record:

87-75

AL Central finish:

2nd

For the first time in three seasons, the Twins didn't make a big move in free agency. Their key moves occurred last summer, when they called up Sano, Buxton and Eddie Rosario and traded for Kevin Jepsen. Full seasons from them and Ervin Santana should allow the Twins to make another significant jump, and Jose Berrios' arrival will give them better pitching depth than they have had in years.