Front Page: FEINSAND: Twins to Sign Josh Donaldson

[Channing1964]

OMG I JUST FELL OUT OF KY CHAIR LAUGHING AND CRYING

[Channing1964]

BOMBS AWAY!!!

[Rosterman]

So now THE BIG QUESTION! Who leaves the 40-man Roster!

[Jham]

Well this is just terribly exciting news! With the lack of 3rd base prospects in the minors, this sures up depth and improves at the top. I admit I was losing faith. I have to think this moves the needle as far as future FA and trade targets go. The narrative has officially changed.

 

Now let's hope it works out.

[oldguywithanitch]

1. Arraez

2. Polanco

3. Donaldson

4. Cruz

5. Kepler

6. Sano

7. Rosario

8. Garver

9. Buxton

 

Good Lord.

AND we have Gonzo able to sub in for 8 of those spots which is highly underrated.

[Twodogs]

Let's hope they don't reduce the juice in the baseball.

[Halsey Hall]

That's it.  I'm checking in on the 21st.  Gonna be a fun spring.

[ashbury]

The contract's not without risk, but is the going rate when acquiring talent near the top shelf.

 

If the fifth year option gets exercised, he's got his $100M, so I guess he can claim that's the contract he's signing.

 

It appears the FO has a disciplined approach to dealing with the uncertainties of the free agent market.

 

Here's hoping similar discipline pays off in the trade market for a starting pitcher.

[sweetmusicviola16]

 

Pretty much what I've been thinking. Wondered about swapping Donaldson and Cruz. Not sure it matters. Practically illegal!

I might swap Rosario and Garver in his lineup too. Crazy good lineup for sure.

[AlwaysinModeration]

If the fifth year option gets exercised, he's got his $100M, so I guess he can claim that's the contract he's signing.

I think we can all agree that if that option gets exercised, we all will be happy.

[AZTwin]

I went to a couple twins games when the Blue Jays were in town. Donaldson crushed it at Target field

[cardsfan]

Last year on May 1 Donaldson missed a few games from having sore calves. He's ruptured both calves in the past affecting 2017 and 2018. Somehow you sign a guy where it is very likely that he will miss several games over the next four seasons.

[RaoulDuke]

Biggest question...

 

Is he going to keep the kinda dumb umbrella thing or will he be a gorilla with Sano and Cruz?

[Amish Guy]

I am beyond thrilled and quite frankly, this is the most Excited I've been since the team beat Oakland in Game 5 of the 2002 ALDS!  Here's what I see in the most frequent lineups now since the Bringer of PURPLE rain is coming!

vs RHP

Kepler RF
Polanco SS
Cruz DH
Donaldson 3B

Rosario LF

Garver C

Arraez 2B

Sano 1B

Buxton CF

vs LHP

2B Arraez (or Polanco)

3B Donaldson

DH Cruz

C Garver

LF Rosario
1B Sano

RF Gonzalez (or 2B Arraez)

SS Polanco (or RF Gonzalez)
CF Buxton

Thoughts?

[nicksaviking]

Last year on May 1 Donaldson missed a few games from having sore calves. He's ruptured both calves in the past affecting 2017 and 2018. Somehow you sign a guy where it is very likely that he will miss several games over the next four seasons.

All players will miss several games over the next four years.

[RaoulDuke]

 

I am beyond thrilled and quite frankly, this is the most Excited I've been since the team beat Oakland in Game 5 of the 2002 ALDS!  Here's what I see in the most frequent lineups now since the Bringer of PURPLE rain is coming!

vs RHP

Kepler RF
Polanco SS
Cruz DH
Donaldson 3B

Rosario LF

Garver C

Arraez 2B

Sano 1B

Buxton CF

vs LHP

2B Arraez (or Polanco)

3B Donaldson

DH Cruz

C Garver

LF Rosario
1B Sano

RF Gonzalez (or 2B Arraez)

SS Polanco (or RF Gonzalez)
CF Buxton

Thoughts?

I would prefer Kepler not lead off.  Arraez is here now as a real lead off hitter, maybe Buxton even gets some action there vs lefties? 

 

Kepler in the middle can push Rosario to 7 or 8.  But its going to be hard for Rocco to fill out to many lineup cards wrong this year.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

Last year on May 1 Donaldson missed a few games from having sore calves. He's ruptured both calves in the past affecting 2017 and 2018. Somehow you sign a guy where it is very likely that he will miss several games over the next four seasons.

The Twins are still going to be better than the Cards without Donaldson and *much* better than the Cards with him.

 

I'm not sure why you continue to crap on this fan forum. Do you honestly have nothing better to do?

 

For the record, I supported you in the past but you've descended into being little more than a troll. Either right the ship or go find another place to post.

[wabene]

Twins off-season: "I laughed, I cried" (not necessarily in that order), said TD.

[Shaitan]

 

AND we have Gonzo able to sub in for 8 of those spots which is highly underrated.

 

Definitely. I don't want to go off-topic, but other contenders have signed a lot of versatile 10th men this year. I'm guessing last year's Twins are part of the inspiration. 

 

All around, this team is positionally flexible when there is an injury. Sano, Arraez, Gonzalez, Adrianza, Kepler, Cave...

[wabene]

"ladies and gentlemen, yes the Twins off-season keeps going on and on and on!"

[dbminn]

The lineup is now officially ridiculous. Please Byron, stay healthy!

[sampleSizeOfOne]

WHO THE HECK COULD EVER CALL THIS OFFSEASON A FAILURE?!?

I don't know...

 

I was hoping for a nice quiet time to get some work done without being distracted by a lot of baseball excitement. Or football excitement for that matter.

 

If ya don't mind, i got a lot of things to catch up on. Enjoy the signing, just don't let it get toooo out of control...

[IndianaTwin]

Excellent move. Makes that lineup even deeper. So many possibilities with the order. Could get a little clogged with Donaldson, Cruz, and Sano on the basepaths, but hopefully they are just hitting each other in with mucho bombas! Hopefully the front office can now focus on making a trade or two to bring in a young fireballer and a solid veteran.

Speed isn’t that big of a deal when you’re in a trot.

[Brock Beauchamp]

To be clear, personally I don't believe this makes the offseason a success. I'm impressed the front office went out and got Donaldson but the clear need here was pitching, and they missed. Then they missed. And they missed again. Continue for a few more refrains.

 

But I'm very happy about this signing because, in the regular season, runs are runs. Over 162 games, he who scores the most runs wins. A lot. The Twins are poised to do that and without crazy injuries or mishaps, they should pretty easily cruise to an ALC championship.

 

But how does Berrios align against Cole in game one of a postseason series? How does Odorizzi align against Grienke in game two of a postseason series? How does Pineda... well, you get the point.

 

And that's the real problem, isn't it? The White Sox are improved but are unlikely to challenge for the Central this season. Cleveland is unlikely to challenge much of anything, which makes me wonder what they're doing over there, anyway.

 

So, while attempting to lock down the ALC is a fine move, one I applaud, I have seen exactly zero movement on what I'm actually concerned about going forward.

[bobs]

Halle-freaking-luia!!!!!

[Battle ur tail off]

This is awesome news. Surprising to me and I’ll be honest I didn’t think they would do it. The most important part of this to me is that the front office just showed us that they WILL push the chips in when it is warranted.

 

I have to eat crow on this one as I had been plenty critical of these guys and ownership.

[bird]

 

1. Arraez
2. Polanco
3. Donaldson
4. Cruz
5. Kepler
6. Sano
7. Rosario
8. Garver
9. Buxton

Good Lord.

 

 

Something just came to mind: think of how many of the players on this list, just one year ago today, would have made us go "meh". Most.

[jkcarew]

I like it. Now make the pitching move prior to the start of the season. Already have help coming near the deadline, but very thin to start the year.

 

Turns out that negotiating smartly looks a lot like negotiating cheaply. Who knew.

[bobs]

Rumors were it was going to take 4yr/$110M.  Does that mean we got a "steal" at 4/$92M?!...lol

[USAFChief]

To be clear, personally I don't believe this makes the offseason a success. I'm impressed the front office went out and got Donaldson but the clear need here was pitching, and they missed. Then they missed. And they missed again. Continue for a few more refrains.

 

But I'm very happy about this signing because, in the regular season, runs are runs. Over 162 games, he who scores the most runs wins. A lot. The Twins are poised to do that and without crazy injuries or mishaps, they should pretty easily cruise to an ALC championship.

 

But how does Berrios align against Cole in game one of a postseason series? How does Odorizzi align against Grienke in game two of a postseason series? How does Pineda... well, you get the point.

 

And that's the real problem, isn't it? The White Sox are improved but are unlikely to challenge for the Central this season. Cleveland is unlikely to challenge much of anything, which makes me wonder what they're doing over there, anyway.

 

So, while attempting to lock down the ALC is a fine move, one I applaud, I have seen exactly zero movement on what I'm actually concerned about going forward.

Concur.

 

But...

 

This is way better than not signing Donaldson. He is a legitimate impact player, and helps both the lineup and the defense. 150 games would be a real upgrade.