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The Minnesota Twins took a big step back to playoff contention last season in Paul Molitor‘s first year as manager. Expectations will be higher in 2016, and here are five Twins who need to stay healthy during the coming season.
5. 1B Joe Mauer
Credit: Leon Halip Getty Images5. 1B Joe Mauer
Mauer played a career-high 158 games in 2015, but a lack of production (.265 batting average last season) has slowly replaced past concerns about his durability. A pivotal season is on the horizon for Mauer, with three years (including 2016) left on his bloated contract, and ideally he'd combine good health with better production.
4. 3B Trevor Plouffe
Credit: Hannah Foslien Getty Images4. 3B Trevor Plouffe
Twins general manager Terry Ryan has remained committed to keeping Plouffe, rather than trade him to open up third base for Miguel Sano. Plouffe has progressed as a defensive player at the hot corner while being one of the team's better hitters (22 home runs and 86 RBIs in 2015), so a long-term injury would hamper the Twins.
3. RP Glen Perkins
Credit: Hannah Foslien Getty Images3. RP Glen Perkins
Injuries have derailed the end of the last two seasons for Perkins, and durability has to remain a concern with him turning 33 in March. Last season's acquisition of Kevin Jepsen gives the Twins another option to close games, since he had 10 saves with the team, but having Perkins effective and available all season would help solidify a bullpen that does not look deep right now.
2. DH/OF Miguel Sano
Credit: Jason Miller Getty Images2. DH/OF Miguel Sano
Sano made an instant impact after being called up last season, with 18 home runs and 52 RBIs over 279 at-bats. It's not ideal to be a nearly full-time designated hitter at 22 years old (23 in May), so Sano is working as an outfielder this winter to find a way to get him into the lineup elsewhere. But playing an entirely new position may expose him to extra injury risk if the Twins remain committed to it, and keeping Sano in the lineup has to be a top priority in 2016.
1. 2B Brian Dozier
Credit: Hannah Foslien Getty Images1. 2B Brian Dozier
Dozier's second-half fades are becoming a concern, along with a hip issue that apparently hampered him late last season. Some extra rest could be in store for Dozier in 2016, since he has played 156 and 157 games over the last two seasons, but if an injury kept him out for a long period of time the Twins lack good options to replace him at second base.
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