Minnesota Twins reportedly offer four year deal to Josh Donaldson
By David Hill
The Minnesota Twins have reportedly offered third baseman Josh Donaldson a four year deal to become the Bringer of Purple Rain.
Heading into the offseason, the Minnesota Twins had planned on upgrading their pitching staff, looking to add another top of the rotation starter. Instead, they managed to retain Jake Odorizzi and Michael Pineda, while bringing in Homer Bailey and Rich Hill. Unless a trade is forthcoming, that top of the rotation starter is not in the cards.
Given the lack of impact starting pitching available, the Twins have changed their focus, emerging as a player in the Josh Donaldson chase. According to reports, the Twins have made a four year offer to the top remaining third baseman.
Donaldson would add another impact bat to a solid Twins lineup. After suffering through an injury plagued 2018 campaign, he posted a respectable .259/.379/.521 batting line, hitting 37 homers and 33 doubles. He also performed well with the glove, showing above average range at the hot corner.
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Signing Donaldson would lead to some changes in the Twins lineup. Presumably, Miguel Sano would move over to first, especially as Donaldson would be a defensive upgrade. As Marwin Gonzalez is currently atop the depth chart at first, moving Sano over would not be an issue.
As Donaldson is expected to earn a contract exceeding $20 million per year, the Twins also have to look at the long term ramifications of such a deal. However, they have plenty of expiring contracts, with Gonzalez, Nelson Cruz, Odorizzi, and the recently signed Bailey and Hill all coming off the books this offseason. The Twins could sign Donaldson and still be active in free agency next year.
His presence would also make an already formidable lineup that much better. Adding Donaldson to Cruz and Sano to the middle of the Minnesota lineup would be an upgrade over the departed C.J. Cron, and would help counter some of the moves made by the division rival White Sox.
However, there are concerns with this idea. Donaldson is already 34 years old, and is theoretically entering the downside of his career. Pairing him with Cruz, who will turn 40 years old in the middle of the season, could be a recipe for disaster, especially if Father Time catches up.
Next. Twins take gamble with Bailey and Hill. dark
The Minnesota Twins are looking to make a splash, and signing Josh Donaldson would do just that. With a four year contract reportedly on the table, the Twins are now forced to play a waiting game.