Front Page: Josh Donaldson, Bringer of Rings

[Possumlad]

 

Nailed it.

If we’re going off of the 50% of revenue rule, they could’ve been spending 130-140 when they were awful and getting no fan turnout (they made $270 in 2018 while being terrible).

They should have to no problem getting up into the 150-160 range while still not surpassing 50% of revenues going forward if they remain competitive.

The media has done such a great job protecting the Pohlad’s pockets for decades, that people actually believe this is a massive and extremely risky deal. No way this deal should hamstring the Twins. For God’s sake, people were signing $100M deals back in the 90s. It’s time for some people to adjust their thinking for inflation. He’s one of the best players in the game. It’s a bargain.

Absolutely! And there's no reason at all the payroll can't (or shouldn't) go above 50% of revenues during potential championship windows.

[Dave Overlund]

 

Anyone know Donaldson's career numbers at Target Field?  We all know he's been an absolute monster there.  Wonder what those would mean over 81 games in 2020.

22 Games, 97 PAs, .373/.464/.819, 1.283 OPS 
10 HR, 21 RBI 

[saviking]

Donaldson is the best third basemen the Twins have had since Harmon Killebrew and that was a long, long, time ago .. I'm down with it ..

[Battle ur tail off]

 

I like it for next year, and maybe even the next year. Worried about his production in last 2-3 years. His injury problems 2 of the last 3 years also a cause for concern.

 

I'm not though really. He gives us great production for 2 years, then a 3rd year of marginal/average and a 4th year as a bench player, we are fine. 

 

This is how most free agent deals work. You are overpaying for the final years of their contract, while paying market rate for the first few years. 

 

This is a win now move. Coupled with the rest of a team that is young and producing and playing for peanuts, this shouldn't hurt them one bit. 

 

 

 

 

[Battle ur tail off]

One thing that is so cool about this. Granted they are a little older now, but who is their right mind would ever predict the Twins to be employing both Nelson Cruz and Josh Donaldson at the same time? Add to that a guy that profiles very similar in Sano and we have 3 of the best power hitters in the game in our lineup. Unreal. 

[joefish]

Gotta like this signing.

I wish we had a ss who didn't need help covering ground though.

ATTA TWINS.

[bustedstuff88]

 

No man, don't let the Minnesotaness take over. We can enjoy things!

 

110% this. I think we all need to shed the attitude now of the team being cheap. That narrative no longer holds a drop of water. We've crossed the threshold. Let us now rejoice that we have a deadly lineup. Let us believe we now have a chance against the freaking Yankees in the playoffs. NEGATIVITY BREEDS NEGATIVITY FOLKS.

 

Im done with the MN perpetual pessimism....GO TWINS!

[bunsen82]

 

I Like Donaldson as a player, but I do not like this signing for the Twins.  Committing 20+M to a 34 yr old 3rd baseman (Will be a DH by the end of the Contract) for a team with a payroll of 130-140M seems like a luxury.....need to spend the money to resign Berrios if we cannot attract FA pitchers we better keep what we have.  

We are paying 21 million a year for an elite 3rd baseman who can hopefully give us a 5 war for each of those two years.  If he does that, he has already earned the contract.   I think he has the possibility of being a 3rd baseman all 4 years, playing on a regular field rather than the turf in Toronto.  The other thing is the twins are likely to use load management with him.  We have a great utility player in Gonzalez for this year.  I would anticipate 125 to 130 games at 3rd, 10 to 15 DH days and the rest as days off.  It should keep him fresher and healthier throughout the year.  This type of load management could possibly get him through the entire contract at 3rd base similar to Adrian Beltre.  If we can get anywhere close to the WAR production that Beltre had from his 34 to age 38 seasons this contract will be a steal.  The question always is, when will father time begin to step in.  For Beltre it was age 38, but he still posted a 3 war in year 38 and 1 war at 39.

[jkcarew]

 

Donaldson is the best third basemen the Twins have had since Harmon Killebrew and that was a long, long, time ago .. I'm down with it ..

It's questionable, give where he is in his career, that Donaldson will have a year with the Twins that would exceed what the Twins got from prime Gaetti or prime Koskie. Still, it seems very reasonable to expect something in that general area for a year or two...if he remains healthy. Definitely could be a huge boost to a club that has a chance to seriously compete for a pennant.

[bunsen82]

One other note, I can only imagine that Donaldson will likely see better pitches this year or will have better batters behind him that what he saw last year.  From a couple lineups I saw it appears he was batting cleanup with either Brian Mccann or Nick Markakis following him in the 5 spot.  He will have a much better hitter than either of those two hitting behind him in the twins lineup. 

[jkcarew]

Definitely will be interesting to see what Donaldson't impact on the clubhouse will be. Club definitely took on a bit of the 'laid back' vibe last year...reflecting, at least to some extent, Rocco's relaxed/cerebral style.

 

Donaldson is anything but laid back. I'm not much of a 'clubhouse' guy...at the professional level, teams tend to win or lose based on how well they hit, pitch, and field...not how well they get along or how much they hang out together. Still, could be very interesting.

[Bomba2026]

Everyone seems happy about this...reminds me of another MN player who got a 80 Million payday and takes That team no where as well....Unless Donaldson can pitch into the 8th inning I don't get this deal. When the Twins had all their money tied up with Mauer they had to get rid of fan favs just to pay 1 man. And when Joe retired, the Twins had cash to get decent players and sign players to longer contracts....I would rather pay a 24 yr old as opposed to a 34 yr old this money. And NO, don't even think about trading Eddie!

[tarheeltwinsfan]

Ouch.

22 Games, 97 PAs, .373/.464/.819, 1.283 OPS 
10 HR, 21 RBI 

 

[Guest]

Never thought a Pohlad would sign off on a deal like this and I'm pleased it finally happened. 

 

Sure, it helps now. Rocco could literally throw names in a hat, pull out a random lineup every day and win over 90 games. And that's with the rotation staffed as currently constituted.

 

In order to have a significantly improved shot at postseason success, though, they're still going to need at least one more top of the rotation SP. But what this addition should do is buy time and provide leverage to the FO in those efforts.

 

The FO is no longer under extreme pressure to add that top SP before Opening Day. Worst case scenario, they start 2020 with some questions at the bottom of the rotation and try to bludgeon their way to a strong first-half start.

 

Any time between now and July, they can strike on a trade for a top SP without being held hostage by potential trade partners who try to fleece them on prospect returns.

 

Maybe a Dobnak/Thorpe/Smeltzer catches fire. Maybe Bailey/Hill turn out to be great. Maybe Odorizzi/Pineda find a way to even improve on their 2019 performances. Who knows?

 

If not, you look around at which SPs are actually having outstanding seasons for non-contenders (not just guessing or projecting who might do so) and make a deal.

 

You also are making an announcement to future FAs (and their agents) that you are no longer just that team in flyover country that talks about signing top stars. You've finally actually done it. Which communicates that you're a player in the game to be taken seriously in the future.

 

There's seriously no downside to this deal at all so long as none of your offensive weapons have some sort of premature season-ending catastrophe occur early on.

[ScottyB]

The big question is will Rosy give his uniform number to Josh?  Can't have two guys with the number 20.

[KFEY93]

 

Everyone seems happy about this...reminds me of another MN player who got a 80 Million payday and takes That team no where as well....Unless Donaldson can pitch into the 8th inning I don't get this deal. When the Twins had all their money tied up with Mauer they had to get rid of fan favs just to pay 1 man. And when Joe retired, the Twins had cash to get decent players and sign players to longer contracts....I would rather pay a 24 yr old as opposed to a 34 yr old this money. And NO, don't even think about trading Eddie!

Every argument you just made in this post is incorrect. Donnaldson and Mauer were and are two VERY different players signed for very different reasons. Mauer was a long term answer at catcher and was signed because he was one of the best hitting catchers to ever play the game but was signed thinking he could keep producing batting titles and be a great catcher. Well, one concussion later that all went down the tubes. Donnaldson is one of the better defensive 3bs CURRENTLY in the game and has MONSTER power, and that doesn't look like thats going away soon unless MAJOR injury happens. They are in no way a like. Also, Rosario is expendable imo, sub par defense, stupid base running and terrible plate discipline. If we could land a legit ace through a trade that involved Rosario I would do it in a heart beat. Addition by subtraction. 

[Monkeypaws]

I can see that expectations have changed here as NOBODY has mentioned or complained about the Twins forfeiting their 3rd rounder in the next draft. 

[amjgt]

 

I can see that expectations have changed here as NOBODY has mentioned or complained about the Twins forfeiting their 3rd rounder in the next draft. 

 

Even worse.... it's their competitive balance round B pick

[jshandorf]

I just dont get it. Looking at last season hitting was not our problem and you dont need to spend 20+ million for a 3rd baseman that can play defense. Mark my words this will be a colossal mistake.

 

The #1 problem for the Twins now and for about the last 15 years has been pitching. That's it. There is nothing else. If you are going to spend 20+ million on a player you better sign a pitcher.

 

I am not surprised though since they are paying Jake O. 18 million for his average performance last year. Sure the first 3 months was awesome... the next 3 were not by a long shot. In fact they sucked.

 

I said it last year during the homerun hitting spree to every one that would listen. The Twins were not playing October baseball. They need pitching. Period. Pitching wins World Series. Just ask the Yankees who just signed Cole what it takes to win a WS, and they have awesome hitting.

 

Nope. This signing might work out this year... maybe, but after that it will be another albatross around our neck. Right now it all depends on the starting pitching. If they can perform we will have a chance in the post season. Donaldson will probably have an effect on the team but it will be the limiting effect of his payroll, not his WAR.

 

-D

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

I am not surprised though since they are paying Jake O. 18 million for his average performance last year. Sure the first 3 months was awesome... the next 3 were not by a long shot. In fact they sucked.

 

 

He certainly had his ups and downs, but I think you need to review your definition of average. Jake was well above average last season striking out 10 per 9 innings and an ERA of 3.51... League average is over 4. He missed bats and kept runs from crossing the plate...

 

You can certainly argue whether it continues. I won't necessarily disagree, but Jake pitched quite well for us last season. 

[PopRiveter]

I actively dislike like free agent signings as a fan because it breaks continuity & team identity. It makes me care less about t team when the faces change abruptly.

 

That said, I can't find any way to spin this negatively. The Twins have the funds available. This doesn't impact their ability to retain their rising talent. Josh is a tremendous third baseman.

 

If I'm going to pick nits, I would've rather been heading into year 2 of Eduardo Escobar's current contract than heading into year 1 of Josh Donaldson's new deal.

 

Okay, I'm done with that.

 

This looks like a great signing!

[Minfidel]

 

If you can't beat-em......join-em!

Or buy 'em!

[Brock Beauchamp]

Everyone seems happy about this...reminds me of another MN player who got a 80 Million payday and takes That team no where as well....Unless Donaldson can pitch into the 8th inning I don't get this deal. When the Twins had all their money tied up with Mauer they had to get rid of fan favs just to pay 1 man. And when Joe retired, the Twins had cash to get decent players and sign players to longer contracts....I would rather pay a 24 yr old as opposed to a 34 yr old this money. And NO, don't even think about trading Eddie!

Okay, I’ll bite:

 

What “fan faves” did the Twins get rid of due to Mauer’s contract?

[Minfidel]

 

Even worse.... it's their competitive balance round B pick

At least you won't have to worry about Houston sniping someone you like early in the draft. 

[srlarson]

 

The solution to this is for the Twins to stop being a $130-140m team.

They’re coming off a 101 win season, for crying out loud.

Even if they go to 150-160 that is Large % of the budget.......just don't see that ending well.....would rather see that money lock up our own guys (Berrios/Buxton)

[USAFChief]

Okay, I’ll bite:

 

What “fan faves” did the Twins get rid of due to Mauer’s contract?

I took the comment to mean Kirk Cousins, but I could be wrong.

[dex8425]

 

I actively dislike like free agent signings as a fan because it breaks continuity & team identity. It makes me care less about t team when the faces change abruptly.

 

 

Signing Nelson Cruz absolutely helped the team identity. He "was the heart and soul of this club" in 2019- Derek Falvey. 

 

Cruz was our team MVP this year. He not only produced MVP type numbers but also had a huge affect on improvement from other guys, most notably Sano.  

[Brock Beauchamp]

Even if they go to 150-160 that is Large % of the budget.......just don't see that ending well.....would rather see that money lock up our own guys (Berrios/Buxton)

One shouldn’t prevent the other. Even after the Donaldson deal, the Twins basically sit at $140m, including Buxton and Berrios. Give them both a raise and the team still wouldn’t be at even $150m.

 

$150m would have ranked 12th in baseball in 2019 and probably lower than that once the dust settles on 2020.

 

Twins fans really need to de-program themselves from what the Pohlads have been selling us for the past decade. IIRC, the Twins had the 10th highest payroll in 2010 and they should be able to replicate the modern equivalent for a 3-4 year competitive run. That’s about $160-165m in 2020 money.

[Shane Wahl]

 

I was wrong. They FO did it. Nothing but credit. I don’t care if Donaldson suffers a career ending injury this year. They made the attempt, and that’s all I was asking for.

What a freaking lineup this team will have (especially against lefties). I’m imagining:

Polanco, SS
Donaldson, 3B
Cruz, DH
Sano, 1B
Garver, C
Kepler, RF
Rosario, LF
Arraez, 2B
Buxton, CF

Pretty incredible. Now, everyone make their sacrifice/offering to the injury gods.

 

Against lefties (given Polanco's struggles as a RH bat):

Garver
Donaldson
Cruz
Sano
Rosario
Kepler
Buxton
Arraez

Polanco

vs. righties:

Polanco
Arraez
Donaldson
Cruz
Rosario
Sano
Kepler
Garver
Buxton
 

[Linus]

One shouldn’t prevent the other. Even after the Donaldson deal, the Twins basically sit at $140m, including Buxton and Berrios. Give them both a raise and the team still wouldn’t be at even $150m.

 

$150m would have ranked 12th in baseball in 2019 and probably lower than that once the dust settles on 2020.

 

Twins fans really need to de-program themselves from what the Pohlads have been selling us for the past decade. IIRC, the Twins had the 10th highest payroll in 2010 and they should be able to replicate the modern equivalent for a 3-4 year competitive run. That’s about $160-165m in 2020 money.

Yea and I should be dating Kate Upton. To dismiss the financial implications of this signing by saying the Twins should spend more is ignoring history and reality