2013 Minnesota Twins season

The 2013 Minnesota Twins season was the 53rd season for the franchise in Minnesota, and the 113th overall in the American League.

The Twins started the 2013 season on April 1, with a game against the Detroit Tigers (losing Opening Day 4-2). The Twins ended their season with a 5–1 loss against the Cleveland Indians.

The Twins finished their season with a 66–96 record, although they finished fourth in the American League Central standings ahead of the Chicago White Sox, avoiding a last place finish for the first time since 2010. The team continued to struggle with offense and bullpen rotation, despite the off-season acquisitions of veterans Vance Worley, Mike Pelfrey and Kevin Correia.

Offseason transactions and spring training

 * January 18, 2013: Agreed to terms with LHP Brian Duensing and C Drew Butera on one-year contracts.
 * February 14, 2013: Agreed to terms with LHP Rafael Perez on a minor league contract.
 * March 10, 2013: Reassigned RHP Bryan Augenstein, RHP Nick Blackburn, RHP Alex Meyer, RHP Lester Oliveros and RHP Esmerling Vásquez to their minor league camp.
 * March 11, 2013: Optioned C Chris Herrmann to Rochester (IL) and RHP B.J. Hermsen, RHP Trevor May, RHP Michael Tonkin, C Josmil Pinto and INF Danny Santana to New Britain (EL).
 * March 15, 2013: Optioned RHP Kyle Gibson and LHP Caleb Thielbar to Rochester (IL). Reassigned RHP Anthony Slama, C Kyle Knudson and INF James Beresford to their minor league camp.
 * March 16, 2013: Optioned OF Oswaldo Arcia to Rochester (IL).
 * March 17, 2013: Reassigned C Eric Fryer, INF Chris Colabello, INF Mark Sobolewski, OF Brian Dinkelman, OF Clete Thomas, RHP Deolis Guerra and RHP Shairon Martis to their minor league camp.
 * March 23, 2013: Placed LHP Scott Diamond and RHP Anthony Swarzak on the 15-day DL.
 * March 26, 2013: Reassigned RHP P. J. Walters and RHP Samuel Deduno to minor league camp.
 * March 27, 2013: Optioned RHP Alex Burnett to Rochester (IL).
 * March 30, 2013: Placed RHP Tim Wood on the 15-day DL, retroactive March 24. Reassigned RHP Rich Harden and LHP Rafael Perez to their minor league camp.
 * March 31, 2013: Selected the contract of OF Wilkin Ramírez from Rochester (IL).

The Minnesota Twins finished in fifth place (.515) in the Grapefruit League during spring training with a 17–16 record overall (7–10 home / 10–6 away). They were 4.5 games behind the first place Baltimore Orioles.

Season synopsis

 * The Twins' batters ended the season with 1430 strikeouts, their most ever, and far exceeding the previous high of 1121 in 1997. Josh Willingham (128) led the club, with Brian Dozier (120) and Oswaldo Arcia (117) close behind.
 * Joe Mauer started the All-Star game as the American League catcher. Reliever Glen Perkins was selected as a reserve but did not play.
 * Mauer won his fifth Silver Slugger Award.

September
Finished 27 games behind the Detroit Tigers.

Detailed records

 * updated to game played September 29, 2013

Batting
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; R = Runs scored; H = Hits; 2B = Doubles; 3B = Triples; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; SB = Stolen bases; AVG = Batting average

Pitching
Note: W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; SV = Saves; IP = Innings pitched; R = Runs allowed; ER = Earned runs allowed; BB = Walks allowed; K = Strikeouts

Other post-season awards

 * Calvin R. Griffith Award (Most Valuable Twin) – Joe Mauer
 * Joseph W. Haynes Award (Twins Pitcher of the Year) – Glen Perkins
 * Bill Boni Award (Twins Outstanding Rookie) – Caleb Thielbar
 * Charles O. Johnson Award (Most Improved Twin) – Brian Dozier
 * Jim Kaat Award (Defensive Player of the Year) – Pedro Florimón
 * Dick Siebert Award (Upper Midwest Player of the Year) – Jordan Zimmermann
 * Bob Allison Award (Leadership Award) – Justin Morneau
 * Mike Augustin Award ("Media Good Guy" Award) – Brian Dozier
 * The above awards are voted on by the Twin Cities chapter of the BBWAA
 * Carl R. Pohlad Award (Outstanding Community Service) – Glen Perkins
 * Sherry Robertson Award (Twins Outstanding Farm System Position Player) – Byron Buxton
 * Jim Rantz Award (Twins Outstanding Farm System Pitcher) – Andrew Albers
 * Kirby Puckett Award (Alumni Community Service) – Frank Quilici
 * Herb Carneal Award (Lifetime Achievement Award) – Tony Oliva