Nick Nelson

15. Cole Sands, RHP Age: 23 (DOB: 7/17/1997) 2019 Stats (A/AA): 97.1 IP, 2.68 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 10.0 K/9, 1.8 BB/9 ETA: 2022 2020 Ranking: 19 The lack of a minor-league season in 2020 hurt many prospects, and Sands is certainly among them. He was just beginning to ramp up his workload – from 75 ⅓ innings during his final year at Florida State to 97 ⅓ in his first year with the Twins – and then it all got shut down. Now, the former fifth-round draft pick will try to pick up where he left off. Prior to the pandemic, he had quite a bit of momentum going. Sands was extremely impressive during his first professional season in 2019, posting a 2.68 ERA along with a brilliant 108-to-19 K/BB over 18 starts. He started out at Low-A and ended in Double-A. Solidly built at 6-foot-3 and 215 lbs, Sands brings a fastball in the mid-90s and his changeup is rated by Baseball America as the best in the Twins system. The mission for Sands in 2021 is to rebuild his workload and get back on track toward a full starter's regimen, while also translating his early success into the high minors. It's a tall task, but all signs suggest the right-hander is up to it. He's a sleeper candidate to debut in the majors this year. 14. Misael Urbina, OF Age: 18 (DOB: 4/26/02) 2019 Stats (Rookie): 217 PA, .279/.382/.443 , 2 HR, 26 RBI ETA: 2024 2020 Ranking: 17 Urbina was considered one of the best international prospects available in 2018 when the Twins landed him with a $2.75 million signing bonus. The toolsy outfielder arrived with an exceptional pro debut the following year, slashing .279/.382/.443 over 50 games in the Dominican Summer League. In 217 plate appearances, Urbina showed excellent plate discipline (23 walks, 14 strikeouts), hit for power (21 extra-base hits), and flashed standout speed (19 steals and five triples). He also played a very sharp center field defensively. The Twins signed Urbina as a scrawny 16-year-old, and now he's going to be challenged to grow up in a hurry. He's still young, but turns 19 in April and hasn't been exposed to a full-season league. That'll happen now. If the uber-athletic teenager can come anywhere close to replicating his 2019 performance as he presumably graduates to A-ball, he'll climb these rankings quickly. 13. Matt Wallner, OF Age: 23 (DOB: 12/12/1997) 2019 Stats (Rookie/A): 291 PA, .258/.357/.452, 8 HR, 34 RBI ETA: 2022 2020 Ranking: 14 Like Urbina, Wallner was a highly touted young outfielder who made an impressive debut in 2019, posting an .810 OPS in 65 games between Elizabethton and Cedar Rapids after being selected in the supplemental first round of June's draft. But unlike Urbina, time is not on Wallner's side. The Twins took him out of the University of Southern Mississippi with the 39th overall pick, valuing the Forest Lake native as a polished and potentially fast-moving collegiate lefty bat. Now, after the lost 2020 season, he's 23 and has played 12 games above rookie ball. To put that in context: Eddie Rosario, Byron Buxton and Max Kepler were all established as full-time major-league outfielders at 23, and Alex Kirillloff will probably do so for himself this year at the same age. None of this is damning for Wallner, who faces the same need to make up for lost time as his minor-league peers, but it leaves him with little margin for error. If he struggles at all to acclimate in A-ball, he'll quickly fall behind the curve. Conversely, if he hits the ground running, Wallner is in line to move quickly as a relatively advanced hitter. 12. Brent Rooker, OF/1B Age: 26 (DOB: 11/1/1994) 2020 Stats (MLB): 21 PA, .316/.381/.579, 1 HR, 5 RBI ETA: 2021 2020 Ranking: 9 Rooker is different from almost every other prospect we'll rank on this list, in that he gave us some actual, concrete performance to evaluate in 2020. Granted, it was an absurdly small sample: 21 plate appearances with the Twins before a fractured forearm ended his season in mid-September. But what we saw mostly confirmed what we've come to believe about Rooker: he's a quality right-handed bat with real power potential, and ready for the big leagues. The Twins called up Rooker in early September after Kepler went down with a groin strain. He wasted no time at the plate, collecting six hits including a home run and two doubles. "I don’t want to say he’s got Miguel Sanó power, but it’s that type of power to the big part of the field,” said hitting coach Edgar Varela of the slugger. Rooker's defensive limitations were also on display during brief action in right and left field, and while he is ostensibly an option at first base, he hasn't played it since 2018. With Nelson Cruz returning in 2021, Rooker doesn't have much of a path to regular playing time at the moment, but he's useful as a rotational righty bench bat. To become more than that, he'll need to cut down the strikeouts, prove his defensive viability, and above all, find an opportunity. 11. Gilberto Celestino, OF Age: 21 (DOB: 2/13/99) 2019 Stats (A): 536 PA, .277/.349/.410, 10 HR, 54 RBI ETA: 2023 2020 Ranking: 12 Celestino was on a roll before his 2020 season got wiped out. After a slow start at Cedar Rapids in 2019, the outfielder pressed the pedal to the medal, slashing .357/.427/.550 in 43 games after July 1st and earning a late-season call-up to Ft. Myers. After the season, Minnesota added him to the 40-man roster, fearing that another club might try to snap him up in the Rule 5 draft. For a 20-year-old who had barely skimmed High-A, it was a rather extraordinary move, setting Celestino's options clock in motion at a very early stage. Clearly, the Twins like this kid, and with good reason. He was seeing plenty of early action in spring training last year before the shutdown. Celestino was on Minnesota's extended 60-man roster last summer, and got his work in daily at the alternate site in St. Paul, so his development was impeded less than many ohter prospects who weren't so lucky. That might give him a leg up heading into the coming season. He's probably the best center fielder in the system after Byron Buxton, which is noteworthy given Buxton's proneness to injury. Although Celestino is not a candidate to be called up early in the 2021 season, he could quickly enter the conversation with a fast start and a major-league opening. The combination of speed and power, combined with improving discipline and strong defense in center, makes him a multi-dimensional prospect with big impact potential. Although Ryan Pressly became an All-Star after the Twins traded him to Houston, it's still looking like the Twins – with young fireballer Jorge Alcala penned into their bullpen and Celestino fast on the rise – might end up getting the best of that 2018 trade. Twins 2021 Top 20 Prospects Honorable Mentions 20. Bailey Ober, RHP 19. José Miranda, 3B/2B 18. Alerick Soularie, UTIL 17. Ben Rortvedt, C 16. Edwar Colina, RHP

"Our beautiful baby boy!" I cried, as Willians Astudillo hustled into second with a double during some random early-summer evening in 2019. My wife (fiancée at the time) looked at me with an expression combining befuddlement and a touch of embarrassment. It was hardly the first time she'd overheard such an outburst from me during a Twins game around this time, but that didn't make it seem any less strange to her. And I mean, it WAS strange. It's an odd type of behavior from an adult person who generally watches baseball with a detached analytical enjoyment. Not to say I don't get excited or emotional – I definitely do – but yeah, I wouldn't say it's normal for me to stan a player so irrationally and exuberantly that I resort to infant-speak and swoon at his most pedestrian of achievements on the field. Willians just has that effect. Or at least, he did. Over the course of that 2019 season, Astudillo's magical mystique began to fade. Now, I find myself wondering if it still exists. While the light has dimmed, I do think there's still a spark, and it intrigues me given his functional fit within this season's reshaped roster. THE LEGEND OF TORTUGA First, since he's been out of sight for so long, let us remind ourselves of why Astudillo became such a magnetic attraction to begin with. He arrived as a relative unknown in 2018 – a 26-year-old minor-league journeyman called up for a late-season look after catching some eyes in Rochester. In 29 games as a rookie in Minnesota, Astudillo did it all. He raked to the tune of .355/.371/.516, striking out only three times in 97 trips to the plate. He appeared at six different positions, including pitcher. He was a beaming ray of light for Twins fans in the waning weeks of a disappointing season. It wasn't just Astudillo's performance that earned him affinity. It was his VIBE. The man was utterly unique, like nothing any of us had seen before. Every single thing about him screamed "sandlot baseball." He swung at everything and made contact with everything. In spring training he executed a from behind the plate. He earned himself a label as "one of baseball's most entertaining players" from Sports Illustrated's Emma Baccellieri following his majestic celebration of a home run in the Venezuelan Winter League.Astudillo became a living meme, and an oddly inspirational figure, openly challenging the prototype for a major-league body. Ever the smiling jokester, Willians exuded joy and youthful enthusiasm in an infectious way that had plenty of us developing weird pet names and anticipating his at-bats. The guy was just so damn easy to root for. TURTLE ON ITS BACK Enthralled as we may have been by La Tortuga, most of us weren't blind to the realities of his ceiling and sustainability. He came to the Twins as an unheralded 26-year-old with no MLB experience. Coming off a season where he batted .342 for Arizona's Triple-A affiliate, Astudillo generated little demand on the market and signed a minor-league contract. As good as he looked during his rookie stint in 2018, it was in a sample of less than 100 plate appearances. Still, there was a palpable buzz surrounding Astudillo in spring of 2019. He was viewed as a major wild-card in Minnesota's plans, with the potential to contribute in significant ways if he could keep raking as a versatile defender and occasional backstop. Unfortunately, the ensuing season served as a harsh reality check. Pitchers quickly began to take advantage of his swing-at-everything approach, rarely giving him anything decent to hit. Astudillo's production sagged, and he saw a 200-point drop in OPS. Over 204 plate appearances, he slashed .268/.299/.379, while his defensive shortcomings became more evident and impactful, especially behind the plate. FanGraphs pegged him as a sub-replacement level player (-0.2 WAR). La Tortuga's luster wore off in a hurry, and as a result, he came into 2020 as more of an afterthought. The 28-year-old spent most of his summer at the alternate site, making just 16 regular-season PAs for the Twins. His only postseason appearance came when he entered as a pinch-hitter in the ninth inning of Game 1, representing the tying run with two on and one out, and instantly hit into a game-ending double play. Thus we arrive at the present situation. Entering 2021, Astudillo is even more of an afterthought; in fact, some believe he might be in danger of losing his 40-man roster spot as the club faces crunches with late additions. Not me. I actually see Astudillo having a uniquely useful fit as the 26th man on this year's Twins team, perhaps giving him one more chance to recapture the magic. ASTUDILLO'S 2021 OUTLOOK There's no way Willians will be lined up for any kind of substantial role on the 2021 Twins, at least not out of the gate. But keep in mind that despite his recent struggles, he's still a likable clubhouse presence with a .294/.319/.428 slash line in 317 MLB plate appearances and, most importantly, the ability to provide depth at some key spots. Consider the three defensive positions where Astudillo has played more than 100 innings in the majors: Catcher. As third catcher behind Mitch Garver and Ryan Jeffers, Astudillo would make it a lot more easy to occasionally play the non-starter at DH (or first base or left field, in Garver's case), or to use them as pinch-hitters. Third base. Josh Donaldson is obviously the biggest injury concern on the roster. While Luis Arráez is now penciled as his top backup, the Twins currently have no other bench players who can fill in there, and Arráez is likely to be occupied by other assignments frequently. Also, it's very possible Astudillo is a better defender than Arráez at third. First base. This is a position where the Twins have sacrificed depth by switching to Arráez in the utility role. Marwin González played more than 200 innings at first in his two years with the Twins, and Ehire Adrianza played there a bunch in 2019. I doubt we'll ever see Arráez play at first base in a major-league game. Astudillo can handle it fine. Arráez and Astudillo actually make for a pretty functional backup infielder combo, giving the Twins coverage all around the diamond while also providing Baldelli with contact hitters from both sides of the plate, to be plugged into the lineup or pinch-hit. I'm not saying Astudillo is a high-quality defender at any of the positions he plays, but he's competent enough at all of them. And while his bat hurtled back to Earth in 2019, the .678 OPS he posted was fine for a versatile, sparsely-used bench guy. He can be that. Unlike Travis Blankenhorn or Nick Gordon, there's no need to feed Astudillo regular ABs for the sake of his development. And, I'm still not quite willing to give up on him as an offensive difference-maker. He just wrapped up an absolutely dominant showing in the Venezuelan Winter League, where he batted .379 and led all hitters in total bases. Maybe it's just the flickering embers of faith and affinity still burning within me, but I've reached the conclusion that... yeah, I am still kind of excited about Astudillo. And now that the hype and oversized expectations have died down a bit, I think he's got a real chance to impress people as a useful piece on this 2021 Twins team. Now almost 30, it's been a long journey for Astudillo. But if you're counting him out at this point, you clearly never read the story of The Tortoise and the Hare. MORE FROM TWINS DAILY — Latest Twins coverage from our writers — Recent Twins discussion in our forums — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email

An 11th-round pick of the Chicago White Sox in 2016, Hamilton changed teams via waiver claim twice last year, first being picked up by the Mariners in September and then by Philadelphia in December. The Phillies waived him last week to make room on their 40-man roster for free agent catcher J.T. Realmuto. At 6-foot-1 and 200 lbs, the 25-year-old Hamilton has worked exclusively as a reliever since joining the pro ranks. He has posted a 4.50 ERA and 9-to-7 K/BB ratio over 12 major-league innings, but his numbers in the minors are much better 3.24 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 9.7 K/9, 2.6 BB/9, with only 10 home runs allowed in 172 innings. He's got a big fastball that reaches the high 90s, and (you guessed it) a good slider, which averaged 89 MPH last season. The Twins' 40-man roster is full (pending the yet-to-be-finalized signings of Nelson Cruz and Alex Colomé), so a corresponding move will need to be made. Check back soon for more details on that and on the Twins' new relief pitcher. In the meantime, let's here your thoughts on yet another addition this week for your Minnesota Twins. MORE FROM TWINS DAILY — Latest Twins coverage from our writers — Recent Twins discussion in our forums — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email

Anderson is a wild one, and I'm not referring to the long locks pouring out from the back of his baseball cap. In 2020, his first full season (well, "full" season) as a reliever, he issued 12 walks over 15 ⅓ innings, a 7.0 BB/9 average. Obviously it's a ridiculously small sample size, and it doesn't necessarily jibe with his previous track record – he had a 3.6 BB/9 rate in 96 innings as a rookie in 2019, and a 2.3 BB/9 rate in the minors – but the wildness was fully on display last summer and it led to some rather heated moments. In mid-August, the Angels and Giants faced off in back-to-back series at their respective ballparks. On Tuesday night, Anderson entered in the ninth inning with an 8-1 lead. The leadoff man? Mike Trout. Facing the greatest player in the game, Anderson uncorked a pair of mid-90s fastballs that sailed near Trout's head. This one was the second, and it caused a bit of stir, later resulting in Giants manager Gabe Kapler feeling the need to explain afterward: "We don't throw at people. It's not who we are." https://twitter.com/NBCSGiants/status/1295868683550523392 In fairness, the wayward heaters from Anderson did look like pretty clear misfires, and there's not much reason to think he'd be head-hunting a Hall of Famer in his second MLB season. Two days later however, in San Francisco, Anderson faced Trout once again. And once again... drama unfolded: https://twitter.com/NBCSGiants/status/1296671442587852800 This up-and-in fastball from Anderson wasn't quite as close to Trout's helmet, but after what transpired two days earlier, Angels manager Joe Maddon had seen enough. He confronted the umps on the field and later had some harsh words about the Giants reliever. "Enough is enough," Maddon said. "This is the major leagues. There's a level of accountability here also. I don't wanna use the word 'irresponsible' loosely, but in that situation, you pretty much knew it was gonna happen again. And I'm not accusing the guy of doing anything on purpose; I'm just saying he doesn't command his fastball enough in order to know where it's going." Quite the review of Anderson from Maddon there! And it speaks to the main challenge faced by the Twins as they look to work their magic once again. The slider is pretty clearly an overpowering weapon (he threw it 53% of the time last year and held opponents to a .108/.164/.243 with it in a limited sample) but it's not clear he can succeed as a one-trick pony a la Matt Wisler. The fastball has some potential, buzzing in at 94.4 MPH on average and ranking in the 92nd percentile for spin, but Anderson and the Twins are going to need to find a way to rein it in. Luckily, they can be patient. Although Anderson's no spring chicken at age 26, he does have options remaining so the Twins can develop in him in the minors or shuttle him back and forth across 35W as needed. There's something to be unlocked here, and when it comes to this pitcher profile, no team in the majors has proven more adept at turning the key than Minnesota. They've also shown they can help such pitchers succeed in spite of a wild side; Wisler averaged 5.0 BB/9 last year and still posted a 1.07 ERA. In other words, while Shaun Anderson might not be the most glitzy addition, Twins fans should know better by now than to discount it. Maybe keep him out in the pen when the Angels are in town this year, though. MORE FROM TWINS DAILY — Latest Twins coverage from our writers — Recent Twins discussion in our forums — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email

Shaun Anderson was a third-round draft pick out of the University of Florida by the Red Sox in 2016. He went to San Francisco in the 2017 Eduardo Nunez trade ahead of the deadline. Anderson debuted for the Giants in 2019, making 16 starts and 12 relief appearances with a 5.44 ERA. In 2020, the right-hander moved to a full-time relief role and had more success, with a 3.54 and 18 strikeouts over 15 ⅓ innings, although his 12 walks were concerning. Standing 6-foot-4 and weighing around 230 lbs, the 26-year-old Anderson leans heavily on a high-powered slider (surprise!), which he threw 53% of the time last year. The pitch limited opponents to a .108/.164/.243 slash line. Obviously it's the kind of project the Twins like to take on, and have had success with. The Matt Wisler comparisons are natural enough (especially given that Anderson is coming from the team that just signed Wisler), and it's easy to see a similar scenario playing out here. https://twitter.com/dohyoungpark/status/1357507395547709440 Anderson also throws a fastball in the mid-90s and has mixed in the occasional changeup, although it'd be no surprise if the Twins have him drop the third pitch. He has options, so there's no assurance he'll start on the big-league club. LaMonte Wade Jr. is a very solid player, capable of playing all three outfield positions and bringing exceptional discipline at the plate. Unfortunately he was hopelessly buried on the depth chart in Minnesota, even with Eddie Rosario out of the picture. In San Francisco he figures to get more of an opportunity, and reunite with former Twins farmhand Jaylin Davis. https://twitter.com/SethTweets/status/1357538628663009282 We'll have plenty more information and analysis soon, so be sure to check back. For now, let's hear your initial thoughts and reactions in the comments. MORE FROM TWINS DAILY — Latest Twins coverage from our writers — Recent Twins discussion in our forums — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email

The last time I filed one of these status update reports was 10 days ago, although it feels like about 10 months in the pacing of this offseason. Back then, we were breaking down the new J.A. Happ signing and wondering when anything of true substance would come. In less than two weeks since, the Twins have signed Andrelton Simmons, Nelson Cruz, and Alex Colomé, committing $30 million in guaranteed money while furiously crossing off boxes on the front office's checklist. Suddenly, they've already surpassed the $125 million threshold that we had set as a reasonable benchmark (a 10% reduction from the planned 2020 payroll). Maeda's very reachable performance incentives, which will likely push his salary into the $10-12 million range, are not reflected in the spreadsheet above. So the effective payroll is about $130 million. That's creeping up on last year's planned commitment (around $138 million, as we had it figured). And it seems highly unlikely they are done. More on that momentarily. But first, let's get caught up on Minnesota's free agency foray. ANDRELTON UPGRADES THE INFIELD The Andrelton Simmons signing is a fascinating one, because it's fundamentally transformative on so many levels. Adding a new shortstop wasn't even a clear-cut need coming into the offseason, but by infusing an elite defender and occasional MVP contender in Simmons, the Twins have essentially upgraded three positions in one fell swoop: short, second base, super utility. A nifty bit of handiwork from the front office, especially given that Simmons' contract is the most palatable among the top three free agent shortstops. Following his signing, our writers explored the many impacts and implications of adding an historically brilliant defensive shortstop to the Twins infield: Cody Pirkl wrote that Simmons is the perfect match for Minnesota – a resounding upgrade on a one-year deal that leaves the door open for Royce Lewis. I dissected the new role of Luis Arráez, who becomes a super-utility sparkplug while returning to somewhat familiar territory. Ted Schwerzler argued that Andrelton's addition gives the Twins baseball's best infield, and if everyone can stay healthy that may well prove true. David Youngs wondered if the Twins might still have a need for a second backup infielder, a la the Ehire Adrianza role. Seth Stohs, Matthew Taylor and Nate Palmer analyzed the Simmons signing right after it happened on Offseason Live: CRUZ AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS Nelson Cruz did just about everything during his first two years as a Twin – other than win a playoff game, that is. The borderline Hall of Famer has enjoyed a beautiful swan song while getting sucked into Minnesota's ugly postseason abyss. Now, in what could well be his final MLB season, it's no mystery where Cruz's sights are set. After months of inertia, the Twins and Cruz reportedly re-engaged in discussions last weekend. From there, the dominoes swiftly fell: universal DH more or less came off the table with MLBPA's rejection of a league proposal, then media reports started to hint at the Twins' growing impatience, and a day later, boom(stick): the deal is done. There's no griping about a one-year, $13 million contract, which left the Twins with flexibility to make the signing we'll discuss next (and maybe more). Cruz was unfortunately leveraged into a corner, but it ends up leaving the team in good shape to optimize around him. In doing so, they increase of odds of him conquering his elusive ultimate goal in a Twins uniform. BULLPEN BOLSTERED BY A FORMER RIVAL Cruz's signing was no big surprise to anyone who's been following the coverage of Dan Hayes of The Athletic this offseason. That move was essentially foretold by his report the preceding weekend, and so was the one that quickly followed. Dan telegraphed the imminent Colomé signing immediately after he broke the Cruz news: https://twitter.com/DanHayesMLB/status/1356841489351991298 With all due respect to the many people and friends I admire in local media, Hayes is lapping the field with his Twins reporting this offseason. He's been on all these developments like white on ... Dan Hayes. Jokes and groveling aside, the Twins' interest in Colomé has hardly been a secret, dating back months. Securing his buddy Nelly seemingly sealed the deal with Alex as well. The former White Sox closer's contract is downright reasonable considering his immaculately consistent track record. As a former All-Star and routinely high-end closer, he brings a new dimension of legitimacy to the back end of Minnesota's bullpen. The White Sox ponied up a staggering $54 million to acquire Liam Hendriks two weeks ago. In the absolute best-case scenario, Hendriks will equal the results produced by Colomé over the past two years as Chicago closer: 2.27 ERA, 3.43 WPA (almost identical to Hendriks' mark in Oakland), 91% save percentage (superior to Hendriks' mark in Oakland). Is Hendriks a better and vastly more dominant pitcher at this point? No doubt. But our guy Tom Froemming put it well: you don't get style points. Scoreless innings are scoreless innings. Bridged leads and closed-out victories are what they are. Colomé has a far lengthier track record of getting it done than Hendriks, for whom the White Sox paid literally tenfold. This is going to be a fascinating subplot to follow in what promises to be a delightful Twins-Sox rivalry this summer. ODORIZZI STILL IN PLAY? As spring training approaches, Jake Odorizzi remains a free agent. A recent report in the Star Tribune from La Velle E. Neal III indicates that the Twins haven't given up on bringing back the right-hander, although there are no signs of momentum in that report or elsewhere. Every rumor and rumbling I've heard suggests the two sides aren't close on terms. La Velle's article was also published before the Cruz signing, but it's worth noting this nugget he included: "It's not out of the question that the Twins bring back both Cruz and Odorizzi." Which leads us to our final point of discussion for today. WHAT'S NEXT? Even with Colomé added to the mix, the bullpen isn't all that deep with Cody Stashak (who's thrown 40 major-league innings) and "TBD" rounding out the final spots. It feels like there may be another acquisition on tap, as signaled by multiple sources. https://twitter.com/JonHeyman/status/1356997063318396936 https://twitter.com/DanHayesMLB/status/1357048229486080000 The same can be said for the rotation, which thus far has received only Happ to replace Odorizzi, Rich Hill and Homer Bailey. So, one wonders: how much is left to spend? It seems clear that Minnesota is ready to stretch the budget beyond our historically-conditioned expectations. "None of our objective includes trying to make up for what happened in 2020," said Twins owner Jim Pohlad in Neal's article, published prior to the Cruz and Colomé signings. "It was significant. It was devastating. And you have to accept that as a loss going forward and not make it a goal to recover those losses either from fans or by affecting our payroll. That's not the mind-set we have been in at all." They're backing that up, with a spending projection that is healthily above the league average, and a proven willingness to jump on the right opportunities. Which other ones will emerge? Two weeks until Fort Myers. MORE FROM TWINS DAILY — Latest Twins coverage from our writers — Recent Twins discussion in our forums — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email

On this special episode of Offseason Live, just hours after the Colomé signing came to light, I was joined by Matthew Taylor and David Youngs. We discussed the return of Cruz, the addition of a key bullpen arm, and what the Twins might do yet to address remaining needs. You can watch the episode below: Tune into future live broadcasts on Twins Daily's Twitter, Facebook, or YouTube page. It's an interactive show where viewers help steer the conversation via comments and questions. You can also always catch episodes via audio by subscribing to our podcast. Check out previous episodes of Offseason Live and see what's upcoming: Ep 1: (Thurs, 10/8)Ep 2: (Tues, 10/13)Ep 3: (Thurs, 10/15)Ep 4: (Tues, 10/20)Ep 5: (Thurs, 10/22)Ep 6: (Tues, 10/27)Ep 7: (Thurs, 10/29)Ep 8: (Thurs, 11/5)Ep 9: (Thurs, 11/12)Ep 10: (Tues, 11/17)Ep 11: (Weds, 12/2)Ep 12: (Weds, 12/16)Ep 13: (Weds, 12/30)Ep 14: (Weds, 1/6)Ep 15: (Tues, 1/12)Ep 16: (Mon, 1/25)Ep 17: (Tues, 1/26)Ep 18: (Weds, 2/3)

The Athletic's intrepid beat man Dan Hayes was all over this one, reporting over the weekend that the Twins and Cruz had re-engaged after a period of inactivity. "While the latest development doesn’t guarantee anything gets completed," Hayes wrote, "the move to reconnect demonstrates that the Twins and Cruz understand the need for urgency in determining whether a new agreement can be reached." Just a few days later, it's a done deal. The Twins waited out Cruz and basically got him on the terms they wanted: a one-year pact at a reasonable salary that still gives them flexibility for further additions. Of course, there's no overstating how important Cruz has been to the Twins over these past two seasons. He was chosen as the team's Most Valuable Player in both 2019 and 2020, slashing .308/.394/.626 with 57 home runs and 141 RBIs in 173 games. During that span, he has ranked second among all MLB hitters in wOBA, wRC+, and OPS, trailing only Mike Trout in each category. Needless to say, the Twins' lineup card looks a whole lot better with the elite slugger penciled in. And his immensely positive impact goes beyond the bat – Cruz is lauded as a key figure in the clubhouse and community. Last summer he received the 2020 Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award in recognition of his amazing charitable work and generosity. That is not to say this signing isn't without risk. Cruz's $13 million salary commitment will likely limit what the Twins can do to address their remaining needs in the rotation and bullpen. He's the primest of prime regression candidates, set to turn 41 in July and having shown signs of wear down the stretch in 2020. Additionally, his inability to play anywhere other than DH (and the need to have him out there as much as possible) will be a constraint for Rocco Baldelli to deal with as he tries to keep his other regulars fresh, and utility man Luis Arráez in the lineup. But at the end of the day, the cons are outweighed by the pros for this seasoned and highly respected slugger. Even if he's not quite as good as he has been the past two years, Cruz can easily be one of the league's most imposing hitters and a big asset in the heart of the lineup. As Minnesota's unquestioned leader, Cruz has helped power the Twins to a .617 winning percentage and back-to-back division titles, but not one victory in the postseason. Now he'll get a chance to settle some unfinished business, with a reconfigured roster that will still feel plenty familiar thanks to his presence. Having finally resolved their biggest offseason sticking point, the Twins can feel pretty good about the state of their lineup. While they may still add another outfielder or infield depth, and trades cannot be ruled out, the offense is looking fairly set. Now, attention turns to the pitching staff. The effective payroll stands at around $125 million with Cruz's addition. Check back into Twins Daily for more details and analysis of this big signing, and share your initial reactions in the comments below. Nelly's back. Let's go. MORE FROM TWINS DAILY — Latest Twins coverage from our writers — Recent Twins discussion in our forums — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email

As rumors circulated of the Twins pursuing a shortstop in free agency, the rationale was clear enough: a two-for-one solution that both addresses a defensive weakness in the infield and fills internally the super-utility role vacated by Marwin González. Most of us anticipated it would be the incumbent shortstop, Jorge Polanco, assuming the so-called "multi-positional everyday player" designation in such a scenario. Instead, the Twins are expressing an intent to have Polanco stepping in as new everyday second baseman, with Arráez becoming the new Marwin and playing all around the field. In retrospect, maybe this shouldn't be all that surprising. Arráez was ushered into the majors under such a setup, splitting time as a rookie between second base, third, left field, and even a little shortstop. Polanco, meanwhile, had fully transitioned to second at Triple-A prior to arriving in the majors. He'll likely be an upgrade (perhaps a significant one) over Arráez defensively. In order to make sense of Arráez's new arrangement, let's ask and answer a few key questions. Is this a demotion for Luis Arráez? Technically, yes, and I wouldn't blame him for feeling a bit miffed at first. But there will be no shortage of at-bats for the 23-year-old sparkplug. Consider that González ranked fifth among all Twins in plate appearances over the last two years, with 662. That amounts to about a 483-PA pace over a full season, which is a bit less than you'd hope for but still bordering on regular usage. The threshold to qualify for the batting title is 502, which I think is a good minimum target for Arráez and an easily achievable one. Especially if the Twins keep the DH spot open. (More on that shortly.) Is Arráez lined up to be the Opening Day starter in left field? I think so! Getting Arráez into the Opening Day lineup is about optics as much as anything – we addressed already the perception of a demotion role-wise; on top of that, what does it tell the kid if he's on the bench for this ceremonious occasion after batting .331 through his first two seasons? Left field is the only starting position not currently spoken for, and while I do believe Alex Kirilloff will take it over in fairly short order, he'll probably open in the minors. While Jake Cave, LaMonte Wade Jr., and Brent Rooker may all factor into the early-season mix in left, I envision the Twins getting Arráez plenty of action there, including on Opening Day. It's the easiest way to include his essential bat into the lineup, and while he's hardly a defensive maven in the outfield, I'm not sure he's THAT overmatched. One of my distinct memories from Arráez's rookie season was being surprised by how capable he looked out in left, making 18 starts despite having almost zero experience there in the minors. With some time to prep in spring training I think he'll be fine – probably no worse than Rooker and not drastically behind Cave or Wade. What are the biggest benefits to having Arráez in this role? It plays more to his strengths. Arráez is frankly not a great defensive second baseman, and while he's not necessarily a standout glove anywhere, his ability to hold his own at multiple positions is more valuable than playing a so-so second base. That's true for the Twins and it's ultimately true for Arráez, who can make himself more marketable by proving versatile defensively. From Minnesota's standpoint, I think the key is having premium insurance behind some of the team's most critical players. If Josh Donaldson goes down, the Twins can plug in one of their best hitters to replace him. Ditto Polanco. Byron Buxton gets hurt again? Slide Max Kepler to center, put Kirilloff in right, and plant Arráez in left. With Arráez in the floating role, the Twins can maintain an A-lineup even while losing almost any major piece, without needing to fall back on a backup of the Marwin or Ehire Adrianza mold in regular duty. What are the biggest downsides? Aside from possibly damaging the relationship with Arráez, there is the question of whether this assignment is all that well-suited for him. González was so adept at, and accustomed to, playing all over the place that many of us likely came to take it for granted. His cannon arm was a big asset in the outfield and at third base, making up for diminishing athleticism. Arráez isn't that much faster, and lacks the big arm in his toolkit. While he should be usable at many positions in short-term situations, it's worth wondering if he'd be truly palatable at third base over a lengthy period, or if his balky knees would hold up with daily starts in left field. Does this make it less likely that the Twins bring back Nelson Cruz? Gotta say, I think it does. One of the big advantages of having a guy like Arráez in the utility role is that Rocco Baldelli can feel all the more comfortable giving his position players regular rest, in part by rotating them through the DH spot. It also becomes much easier in this scenario to get Arráez his requisite at-bats. If everyone's healthy and rested, just pop him in at DH. Granted, that's a "nice problem to have" kind of situation, especially with the Twins' recent health history, but the combination of a highly paid full-time designated hitter (who can't play any defensive position) and a 10th man who should absolutely be playing everyday feels a bit strange on the surface. Does this make it more likely that the Twins trade Arráez? Again: gotta say, I think it does. Seeing him bumped out of his seemingly entrenched role, one can't help but think back to Ken Rosenthal bringing up the idea back in December: "The potential to deal ... Luis Arraez, creates an interesting scenario in which the Twins could move shortstop Jorge Polanco to second and either sign a free-agent shortstop or trade for a 2021-22 free agent at the position." We've already seen part of that equation play out. Is the other shoe going to drop? It's safe to say no Twins fan (or exec) is eager to see Arráez shipped out, but one should also keep in mind the type of return such a trade would bring. We're talking blockbuster talent that would majorly impact another area of the team. If someone comes knocking with a monster offer (and who could blame them?) it's now much easier for the Twins to say yes. What do you think of Arráez's fit for the new role? How do you feel it affects other decisions still ahead of the Twins this offseason? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments. MORE FROM TWINS DAILY — Latest Twins coverage from our writers — Recent Twins discussion in our forums — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email