Ten Years of TD: The Top 5 Twins Daily Articles from 2018

[Nick Nelson]

On February 19th, Twins Daily will be celebrating its 10-year anniversary. To honor this upcoming milestone, we're looking back at the most-read articles from each year since our site launched. 

Today, we dive into the 2018 season, a year filled with big moves, disappointing results, and painful setbacks.

Coming off a breakthrough season in their first year under new front office leadership, the Twins seemed poised for another step forward in 2018 – especially after a series of key additions late in the offseason (Logan Morrison, Lance Lynn, and the trade acquisition we'll discuss below). 

Alas, it wasn't to be, mainly because the two central fixtures of their plan – Byron Buxton and Miguel Sanó – had their seasons completely ruined by health issues. 

Regardless, a lot of interesting and consequential things happened in 2018. 

5. Twins Acquire Jake Odorizzi From Rays For Jermaine Palacios

By Seth Stohs | Feb 17, 2018

Under Derek Falvey and Thad Levine, the Twins front office would forge a reputation for being late strikers in the offseason, and it was largely based on their first full winter at the helm. They took a very passive approach to this Hot Stove season, but struck late with a series of significant moves, including this one.

On February 17th, they sent their middling shortstop prospect to Tampa Bay for Odorizzi, whose salary the Rays were looking to unload. It seemed like a clear win for Minnesota at the time, and was only proven to be one as Odorizzi posted an ERA+ of 107 in three seasons for the Twins – making the All-Star Game in 2019 – while Palacios totally fizzled in the Rays system (and is now back with the Twins).

4. REPORT: Twins to Trade Eduardo Escobar to Arizona

By Tom Froemming | July 27, 2018

Once the deadline arrived, the Twins were basically out of contention. Trading Escobar, who was enjoying a career year and headed toward free agency, was a no-brainer – especially given the return. Jhoan Duran, the headliner in this trade and an extremely raw product at the time, has since emerged as one of Minnesota's best pitching prospects. 

Still, to lose our guy Escobar was a bummer, especially in a rough season where he was one of the main draws. Tom put it extremely well in this article: "He was less of a professional baseball player who I enjoyed watching and more like a character on my favorite TV show."

3. The Rise and Fall of Miguel Sanó

By Nick Nelson | June 26, 2018

It's been quite a ride for Sanó. Over the course of his major-league career, we've seen him rise (2015) and fall (2016) and rise (2017) and fall (2018) and rise (2019) and fall (2020). 

This marked an absolute low point on that ride. With his physical condition and plate approach in shambles, Sanó was demoted to Single-A, just one year removed from an All-Star nod at 24. Watching these grim developments play out, I lamented the potential that was being left on the table.

Luckily, Sanó would bounce back in a big way the following season. Perhaps in no small part because of the next move.

2. BREAKING: Nelson Cruz Agrees To Deal With Twins

By Seth Stohs | Dec 27, 2018

A momentous day in Twins history. The Cruz signing felt like a big deal when it happened, but we couldn't have even begun to guess how big of a deal it would be. 

Not only were the Twins adding one of undisputed best hitters in all of baseball, but they were getting him on an AMAZING deal: one year, $14M with a team option. The comments section for this article was brimming with enthusiasm – 274 comments expressing almost unanimous approval.

The excitement was warranted, and then some. Cruz proved to be the best free agent signing in franchise history. He emerged as MVP for back-to-back division winners, somehow improving upon his incredible production from his late 30s as he aged past 40. 

When the offseason resumes, Nelly will be a free agent. 

1. Minnesota Twins 2018 MLB Draft Signing Tracker

By Andrew Thares | July 5, 2018

Draft day is always a big draw here at Twins Daily – especially in the midst of a wayward season. Andrew picked up the torch from Jeremy Nygaard as TD's resident draft expert, and did an awesome job tracking the selections and signings as they happened. 

This 2018 draft class – the second under Falvey and Levine – appears to be a fruitful one, although the jury is still out. It included Trevor Larnach (1st round), Ryan Jeffers (2nd), Cole Sands (5th), and Josh Winder (7th).

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[Doctor Gast]

Thanks Nick for recreating these memories of some good transactions that really helped the Twins, I was excited about both of them. Hopefully Duran and that draft will eventually work out and Sano will finally find that stability we need from him.

I contribute Cruz signing mainly to Jonathan Scoop. Cruz was a good friend & former teammate of Scoop. Scoop wanted a reunion so he planted a bug in both parties. So glad he did.

Escobar was a very interesting player and was great in the club house. I liked him, agreed it was a bummer to lose him.

Twins were interested in Archer but weren't willing to pay their high price tag. But the Rays were motivated to move Odorizzi for good SS depth, so the Twins was approached. The rest is history. Who knows there might be a reunion if the cards play right.