Another Way the Josh Donaldson Signing Was Necessary

[Matt Braun]

“What’s that? An article about signing Josh Donaldson months after it occurred? Good luck with that”. While the ghostly voice of criticism rings valid, there remains at least one more major point to dissect regarding the Donaldson signing.At this point, every person who holds even just a passing interest in the Twins has given their two cents on signing Josh Donaldson. Some have talked about how he may influence the next wave of prospects, most have concluded that he was the last shot the Twins had at making an impact move, and one Twins Daily writer directly compared him to Jesus. Despite that massive range of topics, there is one point that has yet to be mentioned so.

 

The questions regarding the strength of the Twins’ position players were limited coming into the offseason. They had just smashed about a billion homers and seemed set at every position in the field. However, one of the major realistic concerns was whether or not Miguel Sanó should stay at third base long term. He still possessed the raw tools to man the hot corner but had been dreadful there by basically any defensive stat since his debut. The idea that Sanó would move to first base became more inevitable than there being drugs at a Led Zeppelin concert.

 

Signing Donaldson was the nail in the coffin for Sanó’s future at third base. But beyond the short-term coverage of the position, Donaldson also provides the long-term stability that the Twins secretly needed.

 

Eric Longenhagen and Kiley McDaniel wrote about the Twins’ farm system on Fangraphs a few months ago. A quick scan of the players on the list reveals that they see just three future third baseman in the Twins’ farm system with Jose Miranda being the only one with playing time above A ball. MLB.com sees a similar picture as just two of the prospects on the Twins’ list are marked as third baseman.

 

Minor league positions are hardly ever a life sentence for a player – Alex Bregman notoriously played mainly at SS in the minors – but they often illuminate what the team’s long-term plan is for a player. A team likely doesn’t believe in a player’s capability to play a position if they won’t allow them to play that position in games they can afford to lose. So the next immediate prospect who would realistically man third base for the Twins was the aforementioned Miranda who spent the vast majority of 2019 with the Fort Myers Miracle at A+.

 

Digging around through other internal options would have yielded names like Ehire Adrianza, Marwin González, Willians Astudillo, and Luis Arráez. Adrianza and González would have been fine options but both bring more value to the team when their role is not well defined. Both players serve well as break-in-case-of-emergency options for if (when) something goes wrong. Astudillo has little experience at third and his awful 2019 brings into question his viability at the major league level, so he would have been a poor choice as well. Arráez has been locked in as the future second baseman and I am unaware of any players who could play two positions on the field at the same time.

 

One interesting option for the position would have been (and still can be) Royce Lewis. Lewis had just four innings at third base in 2019 with Pensacola but almost strictly played there during his time with the Arizona Fall League. One of his knocks has been his potential to play shortstop which may lead to a position change to either the outfield or third base in the future. It’s not unusual for players to be poor at shortstop yet great at third base as Manny Machado proved when he confusingly changed positions in 2018. Knowing this, Lewis may possess the ability to play third base but only time will tell.

 

The Twins can now rest well at night knowing that they have third base locked down for the next few years. They solved a problem that had the potential to be longer term than most likely had realized. Now all that is left to do is to watch Donaldson bring some rain to Target Field.

 

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[Nash Walker]

I can’t imagine someone comparing Josh Donaldson to Jesus. What a tool.

[Nash Walker]

@Moderator it was me ^ I compared Josh Donaldson to Jesus.

[DocBauer]

A few comments after LMAO at Nash's comments.

 

1] I should copy and paste my comments on the 3B depth post, but won't. Shouldn't have to. NOBODY who has a very good 3B has a plug and play alternative. The Twins have depth in Marwin and Adrianza. Maybe Astudillo if the 2018 and non-injured 2019 version fighting to get back in to a groove after showing some production when healthy and not chasing the way outside pitch version of himself returns. (Whew!) Sano can also still be decent/passable if something dreadful happens. (I need wood to knock on!)

 

Oh crap I AM repeating myself!

 

2] There is NO REASON why Lewis can't be a future 3B option, since it was brought up. He has tremendous skills to be harnessed, and all the ability to play 3B. In fact, if you can play SS, unless your reactions are slow, you should be able to play 3B at least decently. Arm strength is similar. Again, Lewis's first introduction to MLB may be as an injury call up. Which is why, like all milb players, and to develop versatility, he should play other positions besides just SS.

 

Referencing depth in the system, Miranda is not a singular option. What if the young, talented Polanco continues to improve defensively? What if he proves his new throwing motion and continued game experience turns him in to at least an average ML SS? What's wrong with Lewis becoming a future stud at 3B? I've mentioned that a time or two and been told it would be a waste of his talent. How so? It is complete and utter hyperbole at this point to compare HOF players, but that's like saying A-Rod was somehow "wasted" playing 3B for the Yankees while Jeter played SS. Hyperbole, yes, but the argument is still similar.

 

3] While I was never as down as some regarding Sano at 3B and his potential there, no doubt this move makes the Twins better, offensively and defensively. It may even help Polanco. I will not anoint Sano any sort of Gold Glove, but I think with some time, he has all the ability and experience as a former SS, 3B, to take his skills to be at worst a solid 1B defensively. Especially considering his new-found dedication and willingness to move and improve himself and the team.

 

4] The undervalued and unexpected contributions of Donaldson. I was NEVER against his signing by any means. But you heard whispers, gossip, about him. But from his press conference to his first days of ST, all we have heard and seen is a guy who wants to play and perform and contribute. He is already becoming a team leader for the club and imparting experience and knowledge to the prospects. Remind you of anyone? Cruz perhaps?

 

I am becoming more and more enamored with our FO and the choices they make. All of the moves they have made from the top on down, including manager, coaches, etc, they have also brought on board 2 different but highly productive ML veterans who make a huge difference with their performance on the field, but who might be making as big of a difference with the rest ofntbe roster and those who are getting ready to contribute.

[Dantes929]

I'd have been fine with keeping Sano at 3rd for another year or two and having Kiriloff up to play 3rd base.  I hope Donaldson is everything everyone hopes he is and I hope he's that for another 4 years.     

[Richard Swerdlick]

I thought T. Blankenhorn was a third baseman and highly regarded prospect.

[Old Twins Cap]

It was plain as the nose on the Twins' mascot face that counting on a 280 lb 3B to avoid injury over the course of a season was a prescription for disaster.

 

That's always going to be the real upside to Donaldson's signing.

 

It's like the Twins got two 40 HR sluggers for the price of one.

[tarheeltwinsfan]

Signing Donaldson made it easier for Sano to move to 1B. By that I mean Sano was probably more willing to give up 3B so that Donaldson could play there, than Sano would have been willing to give up 3B for a "fill-in". This way Sano is not moved to first base because he is a poor fielder at 3B , but rather because Donaldson is a better firelder than Sano at 3B. Psychologically the move to 3B was easier for Sano under these circumstances and there should be no hesitation from Sano about making this move.

[puckstopper1]

Thanks for the article Matt. Donaldson's signing initially appears to have wide-spread value. Hopefully that will continue onto the field!

 

You wrote: "One interesting option for the position would have been (and still can be) Royce Lewis. Lewis had just four innings at third base in 2019 with Pensacola but almost strictly played there during his time with the Arizona Fall League. One of his knocks has been his potential to play shortstop which may lead to a position change to either the outfield or third base in the future. It’s not unusual for players to be poor at shortstop yet great at third base as Manny Machado proved when he confusingly changed positions in 2018. Knowing this, Lewis may possess the ability to play third base but only time will tell."

 

Thanks for pointing that out. While Lewis did play most of his innings in the Arizona Fall League at 3rd (105), he also played 46 innings in center field and 34 innings at second base.

 

It will be very interesting to see what the positions Lewis plays in the minors. Seems like the Twins are looking at several possibilities for him.

[Bickle19]

 

I thought T. Blankenhorn was a third baseman and highly regarded prospect.

He only played 18 innings at 3rd last year and didn't play any third after being promoted to Pensacola. He played the majority of his innings at 2nd with some time in LF as well.

[Dantes929]

 

It was plain as the nose on the Twins' mascot face that counting on a 280 lb 3B to avoid injury over the course of a season was a prescription for disaster.

 

That's always going to be the real upside to Donaldson's signing.

 

It's like the Twins got two 40 HR sluggers for the price of one.

Two ways to think of that.    One of his injuries was making a throw.   That can happen no matter where you play.   One of his injuries was a pulled ham string running to first.   This kind of injury is probably less likely if you are playing in the field.     Without Donaldson,  Gonzo plays 3rd at least 30 games and Sano plays first or gives Cruz rest at DH.   No way was he playing 150 games at 3rd.   Personally, I think DH is going to be Sano's position maybe as early as next year.   3rd base isn't really a big at risk injury position though.

[TFRazor]

 

@Moderator it was me ^ I compared Josh Donaldson to Jesus.

I mean, if the deal doesn't work out he'll be crucified on here sooooooooo....

[jkcarew]

I agree that the minor leagues are light in the top half regarding guys that seem likely to be major-league assets at third base. One way to think of potential major-league third-basemen is "who among the non-first-base infielders looks like they will hit, and hit really well?". If they can throw at all, they're candidates to be a major-league third baseman. IMO, Lewis doesn't fit into that category, yet....as it's not at all clear to me that he'll carry a 3rd-baseman's bat in the major leagues. We'll see.

[Teflon]

With pronounced IF shifts and 4-outfielder alignments, 3B requires more range. While Sano may be the size of a Range Rover he's not a range rover.

[Doctor Gast]

The main & 1st point of discussion before signing Donaldson was   how his defense was going impact the Twins. The rest is   icing on the cake

[killertwinfan]

I am puzzled by this article.  Seems like they are stocking the shelves for arguments when he goes down with an injury and misses a bulk of the season.  I like the signing, we needed a third baseman, he is a little old, so that contract makes it a risky play.  At least our front office is willing to take some risks.  I am guessing it's harder to do that with a starting pitcher.  We scored almost 6 runs per game last year we better repeat or it will be a long season.  JD is expected to be a big part of that.