The Twins must upgrade in two areas to have a chance against the Yankees or any other playoff-quality team next October. The first of those is obvious: Pitching.

They need a minimum of two starting pitchers. Prospect Stephen Gonsalves might be one. They have to get another.

They also need a couple of live arms in the bullpen. One of those could be Ryan Pressly, if someone can fix his control and also his pitch selection in clutch situations.

You still would need another power arm who doesn't require tricking hitters. I'm not saying you can find five of those guys, like the Yankees currently possess, but you need a couple in today's baseball, to go with Taylor Rogers, Trevor Hildenberger and, yes, battling Matt Belisle.

Here's the other thing the Twins need to compete more fully in 2018: Somebody to get to Miguel Sano. Somebody to convince this 290-pound man how great he can feel and more athletic he can be at 265.

PATRICK REUSSE