The 2023 season is upon us, which means it’s that time of the year to drop your bold predictions. It’s unlikely any of these happen, but that’s what makes them bold. If they are to happen, it’s safe to say the Minnesota Twins will have a successful season.

1. The Twins win 92 games

For most teams that are fighting for a playoff spot, winning 92 games is a good accomplishment, but it’s not crazy. Last season eight teams won 92 or more games.

Last year, Minnesota won 78 games, and injuries played a large part in that. The Twins have the talent to win 92+ games, but that’s asking the team to turn things around and win at least 14 more games.

Plus, the Twins will play 52 divisional games this season, which is down from previous years (76). Minnesota didn’t take advantage of the weaker division last season, and they’ll have fewer opportunities in 2023.

I would say that this Twins’ team has more talent and depth than last year, which should help their case. They have Carlos Correa returning on a six-year deal, and with the contract situation behind him, he can now go out there and focus on just baseball.

It’s hard to imagine the Twins facing the same amount of injury luck in 2023, but you should probably knock on wood right now. If they are relatively healthy, they should increase their win total by six to eight wins from that alone.

The two players that need to stay healthy are Correa and Byron Buxton. They’re the engines that will propel the Twins to win the AL Central with 92+ wins.

2. Byron Buxton plays 140 games

If Buxton were to stay healthy, he’s arguably the best player in baseball. There’s not a single weakness in his game, and his impact is like no other when he’s in the field.

Last season, he finished with a wins above replacement of 4.0 in 92 games. If he were to play 140 games, you’re looking at a guy who will post a WAR of seven or more. For reference, six players finished with a WAR of seven or higher last year.

Since Buxton made his debut in 2015, the one-time All-Star has played in over 100 games once in his career, and that was back in 2017 (140 games). He’s battled numerous injuries throughout his career, and it’s the only thing holding him back.

Last season he dealt with a knee injury that plagued him for the entire season, and eventually, he got surgery on it. Buxton has said he’s done sliding feet first because that’s what’s given him issues, and he’s done a better job at not hitting the wall as much.

Hopefully, this is the season he puts it together, and if he does, the Twins have a potential MVP candidate on their hands.

3. Joe Ryan puts together an All-Star year and solidifies himself as the No. 1 starter

Joe Ryan is likely a No. 2 or 3 pitcher at his peak, but there’s still a world where he can be a No. 1. He’s still only 26 and will be entering his sophomore season. Last year, Ryan put together a 13-8 record with an ERA of 3.55.

He was the first Twins rookie to reach 10 or more wins since Scott Diamond in 2012.

The biggest concern with Ryan was his effectiveness with his secondary/off-speed pitches. His fastball has been his best pitch, and it’s had a lot of success. Hitters posted a batting average of .262, .277 and .286 on his slider, changeup and curveball.

That’s not ideal, and it’s going to be his Achilles heel long-term if he can’t fix those issues. It’s been reported that his slider has been revamped, and he’s added a split change. All the buzz is that his slider looks a lot better, and if that’s the case, Ryan will have a lethal one-two punch.

We’ve seen nights where Ryan is dealing, and hitters are swinging and missing at everything. The stuff and potential are there, he just needs to put it all together.

Let us know in the comment section below your bold predictions for the 2023 season.