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The Benefits of Signing Donaldson


TwinsFan268

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There has been a buzz for a little while now that the Twins may sign Josh Donaldson. Here are some key reasons why the Twins should just STOP MAKING US CRAZY AND JUST SIGN DONALDSON ALREADY.

Defense: Yes, Sano is a very good player offensively. But defensively? Not quite so much. Maybe what he needs is a move to first base! Donaldson could ensure a solid option if Sano decides to move to first.

Home Runs: No, the Twins don't need any home run help. But if every Twins player currently on the roster hits exactly the same number of home runs that they hit this season, the Twins would have 253 home runs. That doesn't even break the 267 2018 record! By signing Donaldson, they'd have a solid 290. (Donaldson hit 37 home runs in 2019)

A Reliable Player: Even if Sano can't make the move to first, they'd be able to split time between Donaldson and Sano, which makes for two reliable players at third.

No, Donaldson wouldn't be able to fill the Twins' biggest hole: STARTING PITCHING. The words strike fear in every Twins fan's heart. And with the Yankees stupid signing of Cole, our playoff luck isn't looking much better because the season ends the same way every year: Yay! We got into the playoffs! Shoot! We have to play the Yankees. I guess I'll just watch the Twins lose. So hopefully, 2020 will change the tune a little bit. *Now tries to find fingers crossed emoji* Dang, why are emojis so hard to find? I guess I'll just write it instead: Fingers crossed! Yes, I was hoping that the Twins would celebrate Christmas by signing Donaldson or some top notch pitcher but that didn't happen. Sadly. So, we'll just hope that they ring in 2020 by signing Donaldson!

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The best reason to sign Donaldson? That would give us a lineup where our 3B Donaldson, 1B Sano, C Garver, and DH Cruz all had an OPS at or over .900. Add in other line up members Polanco, Rosario, Buxton, and Kepler who all had OPS over .800. Arreaz should be atleast a .750 OPS and our bench did well too. Add Moreland at 1B instead and our lineup I still strong but with Donaldson we are several levels above the Whitesox Even with all their improvements.

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Signing Donaldson also gives you the option of trading Sano in a blockbuster for starting pitching.  In this scenario, you sign Donaldson, trade Sano to the Rockies in a blockbuster for Trevor Story and Jon Gray and move Polanco to 2B.  Arraez becomes your super utility guy at 2B, 3B, and LF and you either sign a stop gap 1B-man like Moreland (Gold Glove quality) or rotate Garver, Marwan, etc...at 1B.  Your lineup is BETTER.  You have Gold Glove quality infielders at 3B, SS & 1B with Polanco probably being above average at 2B.  Pitching staff:  Berrios, Gray, Odorizzi, Pineda, Dobnak (possibly a trade deadline arm).  Bullpen---DEEP and GOOD.  Lineup:

 

Kepler   RF

Polanco  2B

Cruz       DH

Story      SS

Donaldson  3B

Rosario     LF

Garver       C

Moreland   1B  (Marwan, Adrianza etc...)

Buxton       CF

 

The bat who is missing is Arraez.  He would play a LOT and would typically be at the top of the order.  The hole is at 1B but do you play Arraez or Polanco at 1B ?  But everything is better with Donaldson, Story and Gray.  

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Oh yeah, that's a pretty good solution! Trading Sano would get us good players and it would make our team. A few things: if Buxton gets injured like kind of happens a lot (sorry just stating the truth) Kepler can play center, Rosario can play right, and Arraez can play left. I know Rosario is best at left, but he can play right, like he did a few times while Kepler was injured. Also one question that I should probably know the answer to, but is Moreland a free agent? If not, who do we trade to get him? I think for the first 39 games of Pineda's suspension we could use Smeltzer. This looks like it could even improve the Twins from 2019. (Huh? Improve? What does that mean?) Great job, thank you so much.

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Donaldson would actually likely improve the pitching just because of his defense at 3B. The left side of our infield has been terrible in terms of defense, and Donaldson would improve it bigtime.

 

If his defense deteriorates so badly that he can't stick at 3B (Likely years down the line considering how great he still was last year) we'll have a DH opening in a year or two. Cruz won't be around forever. 

 

Donaldson would also be added to our list of core players that are locked up to build around for the next 3-5 years like Polanco and Kepler. He has a great mind for hitting and would be a great mentor for younger guys debuting in the coming years. The only complaints you can really have for Donaldson is his age which I think is overblown and his injuries which he's a year removed from.

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Donaldson takes really good at bats and crushes mistakes. If Buxton is in the 9 hole, pitchers will have their hands full when he is on base. While I expect JD to sign with Atlanta, it would really be fun to watch the Twins hit. Kepler, Donaldson, Polanco, Cruz, Sano, Arraez, and Garver are pretty patient hitters and Rosario and Buxton are likely the most talented athletes on the team. That would be a lineup worth seeing.

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