Rand: 2015 Twins could be like 2001 squad

There is a sentiment around the Twins, even during a week in which they fired their manager, that four seasons of misery could soon be giving way to something better. Notably, too, there is organizational precedent for this under the same General Manager, Terry Ryan, that the Twins currently employ.

From 1997-2000, the Twins lost at least 90 games each season, going 69-93 in 2000. In 2001 they vaulted to 85 wins. And in six of the next nine seasons, they won the AL Central. Will it happen again? Let's look at the 2000 Twins and 2014 Twins for any clues in one direction or the other.

Similarities: Where we can draw the strongest comparison is in the core of young offensive players who showed promise in 2000 and again in 2014. Cristian Guzman (89 runs scored, 20 triples) was a switch-hitting shortstop, not unlike Danny Santana (or Eduardo Escobar, if you prefer). Corey Koskie (Trevor Plouffe), Jacque Jones (Oswaldo Arcia), Torii Hunter (Brian Dozier, even if the position is wrong) and David Ortiz (Kennys Vargas) turned a corner in 2000, just as their parenthetical counterparts could prove to have done in 2014. You could argue the 2014 Twins have more high-end talent still in the minors, but the 2000 core later added Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau.

Even the pitching staff has some similarities: Brad Radke was the veteran in 2000, and Phil Hughes carried out that role this season. Eric Milton won 13 games as an up-and-comer, much like Kyle Gibson did.

Differences: It could be argued that the Twins' offensive core in 2000 was further along than their 2014 counterparts. Also, the 2000 Twins had a young lefty named Johan Santana stashed on their roster. It's hard to think the 2014 Twins have a two-time Cy Young Award winner waiting in the wings.

Comparing numbers, though, is a challenge because of the eras: The 2000 Twins scored 748 runs, which was the seventh fewest in MLB. The 2014 Twins scored 715 runs, the seventh most in MLB. Of note, too: Tom Kelly kept his job into 2001 before leaving, while Ron Gardenhire was dumped this year.

Conclusion: It's easy to see how the Twins made a 16-win jump from 2000 to 2001 with the benefit of hindsight. Knowing what we know of the 2014 Twins, that dramatic of a leap doesn't seem quite as plausible. But with better starting pitching and continued offensive development under a new staff, .500 should be a realistic mark at which to aim in 2015.