Minnesota Twins DVOA, Stats, & MLB Rankings

Minnesota Twins right-hander Matt Canterino (elbow), who had Tommy John surgery in August of 2022 and didn't pitch at all last year, is fully healthy at spring training and is eager to show what he can do after being drafted in the second round in 2019. The 26-year-old has been dominant in three minor-league seasons with a 1.48 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 130 strikeouts in 85 innings over 26 games (25 starts), but he's also rarely been healthy. He was facing hitters in October, though, and feels like he's back to normal entering the 2024 season. The Twins will build Canterino up as a starter to begin the year, but he's expected to be on a bit of a pitch count and will almost certainly stay down on the farm for all of 2024. However, if he can return to his pre-injury form, the pitching prospect could be an option for Minnesota's starting rotation in 2025.

Minnesota Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said on Saturday that he expects catchers Ryan Jeffers and Christian Vazquez to split playing time close to evenly this year. The Twins signed Vazquez to a three-year, $30 million deal last winter, but the 33-year-old veteran had the worst season of his career, hitting .223 (73-for-327) with six homers and 32 RBI, while Jeffers batted .276 (79-for-286) with a career-high-tying 14 homers and 43 RBI. As a result, the 26-year-old Jeffers became the team's starting catcher for the postseason. Vazquez worked hard on his swing and body this offseason, but Jeffers earned more playing time with a strong second half in 2023. At this point, the younger Jeffers has more offensive upside, but with an even timeshare expected, neither catcher is all that attractive for two-catcher leagues in fantasy.

Minnesota Twins veteran catcher Christian Vazquez has improved bat speed and is more fit in spring training this year as he looks to bounce back from a disappointing 2023 season after signing a three-year, $30 million deal with the team in December of 2022. Ryan Jeffers took over the lead duties behind the dish over Vazquez later in the year when Vazquez slumped and finished with a .598 OPS in the worst season of his career. The 33-year-old struck out more than ever last year and had the second-lowest slugging percentage of his career. Vazquez got a late start to his offseason workouts last year after playing in the World Series in 2022 with the Astros, and he thinks the lack of preparation affected him in his first year in Minnesota. A bounce-back is possible, but it could be more difficult with Vazquez expected to split time evenly with Jeffers in 2024.

The Minnesota Twins are planning to stretch right-hander Louie Varland out as a starter in camp, although he could still be moved back to the bullpen at some point. To help him try and lock down a starting role in 2024, the 26-year-old has been working on improving his two-seam fastball and his slider. He finished with a 4.63 ERA (5.02 FIP) and 1.22 WHIP with 17 walks and 71 strikeouts in 68 innings over 17 appearances (10 starts) for the Twins in his second big-league season in 2023. Varland impressed as a reliever, as he had a 1.50 ERA with 17 K's and just one walk in 12 innings while showing improved velocity to close out the year. He'll primarily be competing with newcomer Anthony DeSclafani for the No. 5 rotation spot in camp. If he wins a rotation spot, Varland will certainly be intriguing as rotation depth in deeper fantasy leagues.

Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton (knee) said he is fully healthy heading into the 2024 season, which has put his mind at ease. He said he expects a normal buildup this spring as he prepares to return to center field for the Twins. "The pain's gone, so I'm a lot more happy. 100 percent. 100 percent. The last couple years were definitely painful," Buxton said. The 30-year-old oft-injured outfielder didn't play a single game in center field in the majors last year and had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee in September to address patellar tendinitis. We'll believe Buxton playing center field on a regular basis when we see it. He hit just .207 (63-for-304) in 85 games in 2023, but he did manage to club 17 home runs and drive in 42. In addition to his knee injury, he also dealt with calf, back and rib issues. Buxton is probably the most risky player in the game because of his inability to stay out of the trainer's room.