Impact bat, solid defense, proven veteran player... If he could stay healthy I would be all for it.  

If I was GM (and thankfully for all of us I'm not) I might actually roll the dice with this one.   It carries some risk, but.. it could very well work out to be a good deal.   

Impact bat, solid defense, proven veteran player... If he could stay healthy I would be all for it.  

 

If I was GM (and thankfully for all of us I'm not) I might actually roll the dice with this one.   It carries some risk, but.. it could very well work out to be a good deal.   

To a certain extent, this is the market inefficiency that the Twins are poised to manipulate. The big spenders may not be interested in the risk here, but Minnesota could have a star somewhat fall into their lap.

Do NOT sign Manny Machado.  He is a dog

I very much like the idea of Donaldson, but more as a part-time 3B, 1B and DH.  Doing so could help keep him healthy.  I will be surprised if he is able to get anywhere near $75M over three years considering he has played 165 games in the past two years.

I would like to hear more about why 1B is a less demanding position for Sano. 1B takes away some of the plus factor of Sano's rocket arm. I realize a 3B must charge slow grounders and fire the ball to 1B, which I think Sano does well. A 1B must also field line drives, grounders, popups, chase foul balls, run into the OF for soft flies, leap for liners, run to his left and right, be involved in catching numerous low throws, high throws, wide throws from infielders, throwing soft tosses to pitchers who are running to 1B and be in danger of being injured in collisions at 1B,  I'm not sure where the 1B is supposed to position himself on various throws from the OF vs. where the 3B must position himself on OF throws...but everybody is supposed to be somewhere on every conceivable play. I would like to read more about why Sano should be moved to 1B instead of remaining at 3B.

Donaldson played WR, punter and defensive back in HS. He pitched and played SS in HS . When he went to Auburn for college he moved to catcher for 3 years and was drafted by the Cubs in 2007 as a catcher. He caught in the minors (played some 3B, but mostly caught)and was brought to the majors as a catcher with Oakland, when Suzuki got injured. He caught in the majors and high minors until he was moved to 3B in 2012. He has been on the DL for right shoulder injury, dead arm syndrome, hip injury (2016) and for calf strains (2017 and most of 2018}. It may be that 8 years at catcher and  defensive positions in HS football before that, have put Donaldson at risk for future leg injuries. This information must be weighed in any decision to offer him any contract, much less a $25 million a year contract for 3 years. He turns 33 in December.

I'm usually not a fan of multi-year contracts for FAs in their 30's. One reason is that I'm worried about blocking the potentially large crop of minor leaguers scheduled to come up over the next few years. But, if I'm reading these posts correctly, there isn't an obvious candidate to take over 3B.

So, maybe Donaldson makes some sense.

For the Twins to consider Donaldson, we would have to know what they are expecting out of Sano.  Is he doing a good job continuing to cut weight?  What type of workout plan is he on, and is he doing it?  Is he still planning on winter ball?

The Twins have a lot of information about him that we don't.  If Sano is on plan, doubt we will see anything done at 3B.  If he isn't, something like Donaldson on a 1 or 2 year plan may make a lot of sense.  If you see them talking to/signing Donaldson, it tells us Miguel is putting pounds on rather than taking them off.

For the Twins to consider Donaldson, we would have to know what they are expecting out of Sano.  Is he doing a good job continuing to cut weight?  What type of workout plan is he on, and is he doing it?  Is he still planning on winter ball?

 

The Twins have a lot of information about him that we don't.  If Sano is on plan, doubt we will see anything done at 3B.  If he isn't, something like Donaldson on a 1 or 2 year plan may make a lot of sense.  If you see them talking to/signing Donaldson, it tells us Miguel is putting pounds on rather than taking them off.

Not sure I agree with that premise. Believe the decision at 1B/3B relies more on Mauer than anyone. Regardless of what Sano is doing right now, it’s still likely 1B is in his future. The market is pretty poor at 1B this year, so a big splash could be made at 3B.

Signing a 3B to a 1 year deal might also light a fire under Sano.

(Or it might not, but I hope something will.)

The question is: Who's on Third. Is Sano the third baseman for at least three more seasons, until the Twins see if any on-the-fringe names of prospects, can play the position? Third base is NOT a strength in the organization right now.. Really. It isn't. At least in a player of the quality of Donaldson or with the expectations of Sano.

Is Sano better suited to first base and designated hitter? At this point hate to make Sano JUST a designated hitter. We can't really answer the question if Sano stays in the game better if in position on the field rather than as a watcher from the bench. And, today, right now, the Twins have at least Tyler Austin who should fill the power needs at first until the Twins see if Rooker or someone else steps up to the plate.

Three years at $75 million? WIll he bring stability to the order and the team? Is the salary too high that he isn't flippable at some point if the Twins would like to move on, even if absorbing part of the salary? Will he be willing to even look at the Twins and field an offer?

The Twins do have the funds. It wouldn't break the bank, assuming Mauer isn't coming back. No doubt the Twins will try and low ball if possible, depending on interest, but they should make a competitive offer for his services.

I'm all for giving Donaldson a "prove it" deal for 1 year. Solid bat, solid glove and more importantly, he's a guy that seems to have a really strong desire to win. I think that could be a good influence on a team that sometimes seems too laid back for their own good.

we could sign Donaldson and trade for Tulo, and whether they ever stay on the field or not, if we use career stats... they will look good on paper,

we could sign Donaldson and trade for Tulo, and whether they ever stay on the field or not, if we use career stats... they will look good on paper,

It is not known how good Tulo would be given his injuries, so I would pass.  Donaldson, I could see, even 3/75 would not break the bank.  I do like that he is not a big strikeout guy, Twins have a number of those.

I would like to hear more about why 1B is a less demanding position for Sano. 1B takes away some of the plus factor of Sano's rocket arm. I realize a 3B must charge slow grounders and fire the ball to 1B, which I think Sano does well. A 1B must also field line drives, grounders, popups, chase foul balls, run into the OF for soft flies, leap for liners, run to his left and right, be involved in catching numerous low throws, high throws, wide throws from infielders, throwing soft tosses to pitchers who are running to 1B and be in danger of being injured in collisions at 1B,  I'm not sure where the 1B is supposed to position himself on various throws from the OF vs. where the 3B must position himself on OF throws...but everybody is supposed to be somewhere on every conceivable play. I would like to read more about why Sano should be moved to 1B instead of remaining at 3B.

Let us all pause to recall the painful image of Harmon K doing the splits in the 1968 ASG. 

If we go in to 2019 "counting on" Sano for anything it would seem irresponsible to me. I would plan as if he were not a factor and enjoy it as a bonus if he is productive and healthy.

That being said, I feel it is important to sign a bat that is elite for this lineup.

I get the optimism, but why would any Twins fan have their "mouths watering" over a player that had a .383 OPS, another with a .679 OPS, and a player that will be 33 years old that only played 52 games last season (and only 113 the year before)?

Obviously, getting even 80% of a guy that was the league MVP just two seasons ago and was in the top 10 in MVP voting 4 years in a row would be great.   But you aren't guaranteed anything with a player that age.  And even with that realistic view of his production, what is he really going to do?  Get you to 86 wins?  At $75 million over 3 years?  

I don't see the fit.  

Especially since it is clear that Sano and Buxton are in their last chance mode.  Each has 4 years of experience now and the question marks are significant.  Will Sano show up at 300 lbs?   WIll Buxton even be healthy or ever be healthy?  The probability that neither of them are on the Twins roster at the end of the season is pretty significant.