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According to the Bleacher Report, Target Field is currently ranked 13th overall and third in the AL Central based on their food selection. The following six food suggestions can help boost Minnesota to the top of the culinary experience league.On June 15th, 2019, I conquered the Boomstick hot dog, the two-foot homage to Minnesota’s beloved designated hitter, Nelson Cruz. This all stemmed from an unfortunate retweeting incident. Although I haven’t had a hot dog since that fateful evening, I recently decided to set forth and try every food item at Target Field dedicated to a current player. Upon further research, I discovered that beyond the Boomstick hot dog and La Tortuga’s torta, there are no other food options available. Therefore, I decided to create my own menu of foods that should be available at Target Field out of my personal admiration for all of these following players. Josh Donaldson: The Bringer of Grain (Bowls) Josh Donaldson is no stranger to the carnivorous, bloody game of baseball. However, off the field, Donaldson enjoys a plant-based lifestyle, largely influenced by his girlfriend and the documentary “The Game Changers”. According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Donaldson’s only use of animal products comes in the form of his baseball glove. Although he occasionally dabbles in pescetarianism, Donaldson is a firm believer in the power of plants. Who can argue with his success and subsequent comeback in 2019 after a major lifestyle change following two injury-riddled seasons? The Bringer of Grain Bowl will be served much like other well-known, fast casual establishments, where diners can choose a grain (farro, barley, white or brown rice, or quinoa), plant-based protein (vegetarian sausage, tempeh, seitan, beans, or tofu), and an unlimited amount of vegetables. All dressings and sauces will also be vegan. Suggested Price: $14.99, +$2 for guacamole Byron Buxton: Byron’s Brats Last summer, I took numerous trips across Minnesota that were accompanied by the Treasure Island Baseball Network. During almost every pitching change, a certain sausage commercial voiced by Byron Buxton always came on the radio. Therefore, in the year following the “Bomba Squad”, it would only be appropriate to rename the “Bomba Brat” to “Byron’s Brats”, to signify the beginning of a new season and the return of Byron Buxton to Target Field. Byron’s Brat can be served in a number of ways. Traditionalists are always able to get their brat plain, but a fresh peach salsa can also be provided to more adventurous eaters as an homage to Buxton’s Georgia roots. The sweetness of the peach is a fantastic counterbalance to the spices in the sausage, while providing a refreshing bite on a hot summer day. Suggested Price: $8.00 Luis Arraez: Arraez’ Arepas Much like La Tortuga, Luis Arraez was the breakout star of the second half of 2019. Therefore, Target Field also needs a food dedicated to Arraez, yesterday. As a fellow foodie, Arraez frequently documents his meals on social media. He can be seen enjoying a variety of foods from cakes and pastries to freshly grilled meats, sandwiches, holiday meals, and much more. However, one item that takes the cake on his Instagram are arepas, an unleavened flat patty made out of ground maize (corn) dough that is often served sandwich style with various meats, cheeses, and vegetables. Out of all the foods that Arraez posts on his social media, the arepa appears the most often, during both the regular season and offseason. Arraez’ Arepas will be served in the most traditional matter to introduce new diners to the flavors of Venezuela. Venezuelan arepas are typically served with a decadent combination of beef, avocado, and cheese. Further investigation is needed to determine Arraez’ favorite arepa, but until then, Target Field go-ers can enjoy the phenomenal flavors of this traditional South American dish. Suggested Price: $12.00 Lewis Thorpe: Bullpen Catch of the Day According to his Instagram, Lewis Thorpe spends a large amount of time in the off-season in Florida (but really, who can blame him). However, what many fans don’t know is that Thorpe is also an avid fisherman. He frequently displays his catch of the day on his social media. Therefore, for this young Australian lefty, a fish dish is the most appropriate cuisine to bear his recognition. Furthermore, there are very few pescatarian options available at Target Field. Although there are numerous vegan and vegetarian options available around the concourse, there aren’t many selections for the Friday night fish-fry go-ers. Therefore, a catch of the day is the most appropriate food item to not only honor Thorpe’s fishing prowess but also Minnesota’s wildlife and 10,000 lakes. From the walleye to the northern pike, the possibilities are endless. Plus, the versatility in the ever-changing fish options ensures that the freshest catches in Minnesota are always served to Twins fans. Suggested Price: $13.00 Sergio Romo: Sergio’s Subs Sergio Romo gave the best interview of 2019, when he reminisced about his early playing career and what he would have done had he not pursued baseball. I would highly recommend watching the entire interview, but if you are currently rushing over to Target Field to demand the above food options, skip to 3:55 to see why Sergio’s Subs must be a Minnesota staple. Suggested Price: $12.00 for an 8 inch, $16.00 for a footlong And of course, absolutely every food item at Target Field will now be offered with a side of GarvSauce, a green chile based sauce that adds a spicy punch to everything that also happens to originate from Mitch Garver’s home state of New Mexico. MORE FROM TWINS DAILY — Latest Twins coverage from our writers — Recent Twins discussion in our forums — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email Click here to view the article

Oscar Colas, the biggest and most hyped international prospect is hitting the free agent market in 2020. The 21-year-old, two-way Cuban superstar is seeking an MLB contract as soon as possible. The Twins cannot miss a rare second chance at the second-coming of Shohei Ohtani.In 2017, an unknown Japanese player made his journey across the Pacific in search of the elusive MLB contract. Many hailed him as the “Modern Day Babe Ruth”. Upon his arrival, Shohei Ohtani was immediately pulled into a heated bidding war among numerous teams, including the Minnesota Twins for a fleeting moment. In his rookie year, Ohtani was the first player since Ruth to hit 15 home runs and pitch 50 innings in the same season. Ohtani was simultaneously the most reliable pitcher for the Angels while filling the role of the second-best hitter in the lineup on days he didn't pitch. During his rookie season, Ohtani held a 3.31 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP in 10 appearances for the Angels. Although Tommy John surgery kept him off the mound in 2019, Ohtani repeated his offensive dominance of his first season, hitting a .286/.343/.848 and a 2.5 WAR. His two-year career WAR has already exceeded the likes of many seasoned players including former Twins C.J. Cron, Martin Perez, and Sam Dyson. A rare second chance for a team to garner a player with the same two-way dominance has emerged in the form of Oscar Colas, a 21-year-old prospect who has recently elected to defect from his home country of Cuba. Each team that missed out on the first coming of Ohtani will be even more eager to sign Colas, who according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, intends to play in the United States as soon as possible. from our writers— Recent Twins discussion in our forums — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email Click here to view the article

Twins Daily Nation, we’ve finally made it to the end. We are at the end of this decade, the end of the holiday season, the end of the era where Josh Donaldson isn’t a Minnesota Twin. Although the ship has sailed on first tier-pitching (still sad about Ryu, what about you?), there are still plenty of free agents on the market who can shape the season for Minnesota.This three-part series covers the twelve free agents that the Twins should spend the remainder of their payroll on this holiday season. In case you missed it, Part Iand Part II are currently available for your holiday reading pleasure. As usual, you know the drill. Feel free to sing along. No swans a-swimmin’ were harmed in the making of this list. *Disclaimer: although it may appear otherwise, this is not a fan page for former Toronto Blue Jays. Eighth FA of Twins-mas: Aaron Sanchez 2019 Salary: $3.9M Twins should Offer: 1 year, $5M It’s hard to believe that Aaron Sanchez is only 27-years-old. He’s already got a shared no-hitter under his belt and was a major contributor to the Jays’ playoff run in the mid 2010’s. For the first time in his career, Sanchez is a free agent. He was traded to the Houston Astros in July and subsequently nontendered in the offseason. In fact, Sanchez was the only player in this offseason to be nontendered by the Astros. Sanchez had a less than extraordinary season with the Jays and Astros. In 27 games, he posted a career high 5.89 ERA and 1.622 WHIP. Since his All-Star bid in 2016, Sanchez' career has been marred by injuries and he has not posted an ERA below 4.25. For the second time in his career, Sanchez posted a negative WAR, at -0.3. To add further insult to his injuries (pun intended), Sanchez held a career low 1.7 SO/BB ratio. As a point of reference, Jose Berrios, Jake Odorizzi, Michael Pineda, and Randy Dobnak held a 3.82, 3.36, 5.00, and 4.60 SO/BB ratio in 2019, respectively. Sanchez’ tank appears to be on empty. However, there are several indicators that he’s got at least 30 more miles in him. First, Sanchez appeared to have found his groove once again during his short tenure with the Astros. During his debut, Sanchez, combined with his former teammate Joe Biagini, reliable reliever Will Harris, and Chris Devinski, to throw the franchise’s 12th no-hitter, this time against the Seattle Mariners. Prior to the trade, Sanchez was 3-14 with a 6.07 ERA in Toronto. Numbers aside, the Houston Astros made several pitching adjustments with Sanchez that may be directly correlated with his flash of greatness. With the Blue Jays, Sanchez relied much on his sinker, which constituted approximately 37% of his pitches. However, after his trade, Sanchez switched his pitch selection to more fastballs and curveballs, much like Justin Verlander, Gerrit Cole, and Charlie Morton’s adjustments in Houston. The Astros took note of Sanchez’ high spin rate and velocity and encouraged him to throw more four-seamers up in the strike zone to elicit more pop-ups and swings and misses. Paired with Sanchez’ curveball, this pitching adjustment can be recipe for disaster for opposing hitters. (Visual via CBS Sports) Download attachment: Aaron Sanchez pitches.png Unfortunately, Sanchez went down with a shoulder injury and a subsequent surgery shortly after his trade, so there has been a very little sample size to indicate that his new pitch selection will make a large impact in his numbers. However, a newly repaired shoulder and a change of scenery, paired with his improved pitching selection, could be all the power-righty needs for an impactful comeback. It’s easy to forget that Sanchez was once the No. 3 prospect in the Jays’ organization and the 44th best prospect, overall. While no promises can be made about Sanchez’ pitching potential, we can promise that plenty of blister tape and petroleum jelly will be available in Minnesota. Ninth FA of Twins-mas: Will Harris 2019 Salary: $4.23M Twins should Offer: 1 year, $4M With the addition of Tyler Clippard, the Twins have a good bullpen. However, with the addition of Will Harris, the Twins would have a great bullpen. The 35-year-old had the best season of his career in 2019. In 60 innings, Harris had a 1.50 ERA, 62 strikeouts, and just six home runs in the year of bombas. Harris was equally brilliant in the postseason. He didn’t give up his first run until Game 6 of the World Series and held an impressive 1.86 ERA and 11 SO’s in 11 innings as the bullpen anchor for the Astros. While Harris isn’t the biggest or flashiest name on the market, he quietly held the crown as the most consistent reliever for the Astros last season. If these numbers and statistics aren’t enough to convince the Twins to add Harris to the bullpen, one person should be: Brusdar Graterol What does Brusdar Graterol have to do with Will Harris? First, Harris’ addition to the bullpen can alter the trajectory of Graterol’s career. In 2019, Graterol was called up to be exclusively used in the bullpen. However, 2020 represents a fork in the road for the young flamethrower. According to a recent Twins Daily article by our own Seth Stohs, the Twins have numerous options for Graterol in 2020. If the Twins cannot get an impact starting pitcher for next season, the Twins need to get creative with the their best pitching prospect. Adding Will Harris to the bullpen gives the Twins a chance to utilize Graterol as a starter and takes his bullpen obligations out of the picture. Right now, no one is sure of what Graterol can handle on his plate, whether that’s a full six innings as a starter or a few innings paired with Randy Dobnak or Lewis Thorpe. However, having one extra arm in the bullpen would give Baldelli the flexibility to test Graterol in essentially any role with the pitching staff, without the obligation to send him to the bullpen should one of the bullpen arms become unavailable. Signing Harris to just a one-year deal adds no risk or financial burden to the Twins and can provide clearance for Graterol’s future. Right now, the Twins can pick up Harris on a bargain, while the market is slowly shifting away from the biggest names to the second, and lower, tiers of pitching. As was said in Part II, the best time to strike on a steady reliever like Harris is when the iron is cold and unattended. Tenth FA of Twins-mas: Collin McHugh 2019 Salary: $5.8M Twins should Offer: 1 year, $6M In many ways, Collin McHugh represents the best of both Aaron Sanchez and Will Harris’ worlds. Unlike Sanchez and Harris, McHugh pulled double duty for the Astros in 2019 as both a starter and a reliever. Like Harris, McHugh is one of the leaders of the second-tier pitching market. At 32-years-old, McHugh still has a few more prime years left in him before the ship sails. In 2019, McHugh had a 4.70 ERA and eight starts with the Astros. His high ERA was largely contributed to by his 8 starts, where he put up a 6.37 ERA in 41 innings. After being delegated to the bullpen, McHugh established his reliability as a reliever and ended the season with a 1.232 WHIP, 2.73 SO/BB, 0.4 WAR, and 82 strikeouts in 74.2 innings. Like Sanchez, McHugh follows the Astros’ not-so-secret formula of high-spin fastballs and curveballs. This has elongated the longevity of McHugh as a starter and an effective long-reliever. As a best-case scenario, McHugh can be a fourth starter for the Twins, behind Berrios, Odorizzi, and Pineda. However, as a worst-case scenario, the righty can be delegated to the bullpen, as was done by the Astros in both the regular and postseason. As a former member of the Houston Astros’ pitching school, McHugh’s pitches have been adjusted to largely match those of Verlander, Cole, and Morton. Therefore, like Sanchez, the Twins would be receiving a finished pitching project in McHugh. You can make essentially the same arguments made above for both Aaron Sanchez and Will Harris for Collin McHugh. McHugh is the total package that the Twins need to address the need for starting pitching, while potentially adding further flexibility to the Twins’ bullpen. Eleventh FA of Twins-mas: Felix Hernandez 2019 Salary: $27.9M Twins should Offer: Minor League deal Truth be told, I had initially saved this eleventh spot for another veteran, looking to make a comeback, such as Francisco Liriano. However, over breakfast on Christmas Eve, a friend and fellow Twins Daily reader convinced me otherwise (if you’re reading this JD, you win). King Felix Hernandez is one of the best pitchers of all time. The former Cy Young winner and six-time All-Star spent 14 years in a Seattle uniform. Hernandez pitched a perfect game on August 15th, 2012 and an immaculate inning on June 17th, 2008. He holds the title for the most strikeouts ever by a Mariners pitcher and was a force to be reckoned with for much of his career. However, the second half of the 2010’s was not a friendly time for the royal. Hernandez quickly transitioned from reliability to liability. Hernandez hasn’t had an ERA below 4.00 since 2016, his last run as an All-Star, and he posted a negative WAR for the second time in his career in 2019. At his peak, Hernandez had an astonishing 7.2 WAR in 2010. Hernandez combined for fewer wins from 2017-2019 than he did in 2015. Hernandez also had a career low 57 strikeouts. On top of that, Hernandez has seen a myriad of injuries, from shoulder inflammations to calf strains. King Felix saw the rise and fall of his prominence in the rainy city. What could possibly be next for this veteran? Although his future is cloudy at this point, there are a few things that are certain: 1. Hernandez is looking to make a comeback 2. Very few teams are willing to give him a contract to make that comeback Much like Greg Bird in Part I, there are little to no expectations for Hernandez. He isn’t expected to have a season on par with Max Scherzer. Although Hernandez has made it clear that he has no plans to retire, teams are seemingly forcing an early retirement for King Felix by simply keeping him out of the game. Therefore, there is one questions that teams ought to ask themselves: Can Felix Hernandez pull off a comeback? Let’s evaluate both scenarios. In the more likely scenario to most, Hernandez doesn’t make a comeback. If the Twins sign him to a minor league deal, there is absolutely no financial risk involved. Furthermore, Hernandez can serve as a mentor and veteran figurehead for the young players developing in the Twins’ minor league system. His leadership can be an invaluable asset to the Twins’ prospects. Unlike other teams who need a fourth or fifth starter immediately, the availability of pitchers such as Dobnak and Thorpe alleviates any pressure there is for Hernandez to perform. In the best-case scenario, Hernandez does make a comeback. Even if his comeback is momentary, the Twins can be known as the team to put King Felix back on his throne. In this scenario, Hernandez can be an important asset to the Twins’ rotation, adding the veteran arm that the Twins desperately need. Although it feels like Hernandez has lived seven lives, he is still only 33-years-old, so a comeback is not out of the question. If anyone can pull off a comeback, it’s a player of former dominance, such as Felix Hernandez. It’s impossible to predict what the next part of Hernandez’ career will look like. It’s painful to see such an important pitcher in recent history labeled as “washed up”. The Twins should be the team to give a platform to set up Hernandez for a potential comeback and a new pitching career after Seattle. Like Sanchez, maybe all Hernandez needs is a change of scenery and another chance to compete. We’ll never know unless he gets one more chance on the mound. Long live, King Felix. Twelfth FA of Twin-mas: Bartolo Colon 2019 Salary: No contract Twins should Offer: Anything Big Sexy. ‘Nuff said. Are there any free agents that you would like to see on Opening Day? Drop a comment below. MORE FROM TWINS DAILY — Latest Twins coverage from our writers — Recent Twins discussion in our forums — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email Click here to view the article

We are single-digit days away from Christmas. If you’re anything like me, you’re also scrambling last minute to get the rest of your presents purchased, wrapped, and placed under the tree. However, the same cannot be said for the free agent market for outfielders.The market for outfielders has been as silent as a mouse due to the recent and rapid signings of the largest free agents on the market, such as Stephen Strasburg and Madison Bumgarner (remember when everyone thought he’d be a Twin? Too soon?). It’s often said to “strike while the iron is hot”. However, the best time for the Twins to strike in the outfielder market may be while the iron is cold and unattended. While the Twins’ outfielder core still consists of Byron Buxton, Max Kepler, and Eddie Rosario, this may not be the case on Opening Day. This is largely contingent on Buxton’s health status and the jersey that is on Rosario’s back in 98 days. Therefore, the Twins need to evaluate each possible outfield scenario, from worst case to best, to come up with contingency signings that address these potential needs. For each free agent below, their potential role with the Twins is highlighted based on these contingencies. This three-part series covers the 12 free agents that the Twins should spend the remainder of their payroll on this holiday season. Stay tuned for Part III – Pitchers next week. In the meantime, please check out Part I – Infielders. You know the drill. Feel free to sing along. No calling birds were harmed in the making of this list. Fourth FA of Twins-mas: Cameron Maybin 2019 Salary: $555,000 Twins Offer: 1 year, $1M Potential Role: Backup Outfielder The lack of depth in the Twins’ outfield was largely exposed when Rosario, Buxton, Kepler, and backup Jake Cave all faced injuries throughout the 2019 season. There was even a moment in time when the utility man, Marwin Gonzalez, could not fulfill the outfield duties. This lack of offensive production from the outfield largely affected the Twins’ performance in August (who could forget that day and a half when the Twins almost lost the AL Central?) and September and likely contributed to excessive playing time for Kepler through his injuries. Who better to add as a backup to the Twins’ outfield lineup than a player who spent his entire 2019 season filling injured shoes in the Bronx? Cameron Maybin is the perfect target to add significant depth in the outfield without creating a significant dent in the Twins’ payroll. The veteran platoon player had the best year of his career in 2019, with one of his biggest moments occurring at Target Field when Maybin vigorously rubbed salt all over the Twins’ gaping wound during Game 3 of the ALDS. (Can someone check on the left field pole?) At 32-years-old, Maybin has already been a member of 10 separate clubs during his 12-year tenure in the big leagues. If there is a guy out there who has seen it all, it’s Maybin. In 2019, Maybin spent his time with the Yankees playing second fiddle to Giancarlo Stanton and the parade of injured players. Despite signing with the Indians on just a minor league deal with a subsequent trade to the Yankees, Maybin played in 82 career-defining games in New York. Maybin hit .285/.364/.494 and produced a 1.5 WAR in 239 AB’s. Unlike the Twins in 2019, his bat does not cool off in the postseason. In two postseasons with the Astros and the Yankees, Maybin has slugged a .308/.400/.538 with three stolen bases in 13 at-bats. Last year, the Twins were plagued with instances of poor baserunning and lacked stolen bases. Despite having the fastest runner in all of baseball on the team, the Twins ranked last in the league with 28 stolen bases (Buxton accounting for 14 of them). In 2019, Maybin stole nine bases, which is more than Jorge Polanco, Kepler, Rosario, and Jonathan Schoop combined. While the lack of stolen bases did not seem to hinder the Twins’ performance, generating more stolen bases wouldn’t hurt either. Having an effective baserunner combined with experience and a reliable offense makes Maybin an ideal candidate to deepen the Twins’ outfield in 2020, regardless of where Rosario and if Buxton play on Opening Day. Although Maybin will likely continue to play the role of a backup outfielder on most days, his numbers suggest that he still has the chops of an everyday player. Despite his age, Maybin seems to be catching his second wind. Black Friday was three weeks ago, but the Twins can still get Maybin on a bargain. Fifth FA of Twins-mas: Billy Hamilton 2019 Salary: $5.25M Twins Offer: Minor League deal Potential Role: Pinch runner, Backup Outfielder On Aug. 19, Billy Hamilton was claimed off waivers by the Atlanta Braves to essentially serve as a pinch runner and occasional pinch hitter for the team. Offensively, Hamilton’s numbers were less than stunning. He batted a meager .218/.288/.275 with no home runs and 15 RBI’s in 316 at-bats. As a frame of reference, out of all the everyday backup players, Willians Astudillo had the lowest number of RBI’s, at 21. However, Astudillo played in only 58 games and had 190 AB’s, almost half of Hamilton’s. To add insult to injury, Hamilton had the lowest average exit velocity in the league at 78.3 MPH combined with the lowest percentage of hard hit balls in the league at 7.3%. All in all, Hamilton had a terrible, horrible, no-good year offensively. Therefore, the Twins should sign Billy Hamilton. Hamilton is a phenomenal defensive asset who can serve exclusively as a pinch runner for the Twins, like he did in Atlanta. However, due to his unimpressive offensive numbers last year, the Twins can get him at a steal of a deal. For years, teams took a chance on Hamilton hoping his offensive numbers would improve over time. After all, Hamilton is a switch hitter who has had glimpses of promise throughout his career. However, these hopes are rapidly dwindling in the majors, and there are little to no signing rumors swirling Hamilton in 2020. Instead of placing any offensive hopes on Hamilton, like teams have done in the past, the Twins should consider adding Hamilton in the lineup as an exclusive defensive asset, serving as a pinch-runner primarily for older, slower, or injured players, such as Nelson Cruz, who will turn 40-years-old on July 1. To mitigate the risk of any potential injuries to players like Cruz in high leverage situations, having a pinch runner like Hamilton can mean the difference in late innings in significant games. It’s no secret that Hamilton is fast. Hamilton’s sprint speed is a remarkable 29.5 ft/sec. On top of that, Hamilton is an exceptional defender. His 15.3 UZR/150 ranked fifth among the 77 outfielders to log at least 700 innings in 2019 and his fielding percentage in 2019 was a full 1.000. After Buxton’s injury in 2019, there was a hole in center field that was never quite mended defensively. Hamilton would be an ideal defensive substitute for Buxton should he be unavailable at any point in 2020. Sixth FA of Twins-mas: Kevin Pillar 2019 Salary: $5.8M Twins offer: 1 year, $6M Potential role: Left field starter, Center field backup Kevin Pillar was a fan favorite in Toronto for many years, with the same core of Blue Jays that was mentioned in last week’s article, consisting of Josh Donaldson, Jose Bautista, Edwin Encarnacion, and Justin Smoak. In that group, Donaldson and Encarnacion went on to have breakout years in 2019 with their respective teams, while Bautista and Smoak steadily fell off the map. However, Pillar has been consistently producing essentially the same season, offensively and defensively, since 2015. The biggest differences in his lowest and highest BA, OPB, and SLG during all of his seasons in the majors are (.026/.032/.056). Mike Trout is the best player in baseball and widely known as one of the most consistent from season to season. As a point of comparison, the difference between Trout’s lowest and highest BA, OPB, and SLG are (.039/.083/.149). Pillar exceeds the consistency of Trout paired with the defensive prowess of Jim Edmonds. Pillar would be an ideal substitute for Rosario if he is traded during the offseason. Pillar mirrors Rosario offensively, but defensively, Pillar would be an enormous improvement in left field. It’s not blatantly obvious that Pillar and Rosario are similar offensively. Pillar finished 2019 with a .259/.287/.432 which consisted of 83 runs, 88 RBI’s, 158 hits, and 89 strikeouts. Although Rosario finished with a slightly better batting average, he hit a similar .276/.300/.500, which consisted of 91 runs, 109 RBI’s, 155 hits, and 86 strikeouts. Both players even hit for the same number extra base hits, at 61. The biggest offensive difference between Pillar and Rosario in 2019 was home run totals, where Rosario edged Pillar out by 11 home runs. However, for what Pillar lacks offensively compared to Rosario, he strongly makes up for in defense. You can’t watch a defensive montage of the “best plays of any year” in the latter half of the 2010’s without a Pillar moment showing up at least once. This defensive proof is in the numbers’ pudding. He graded out positively in center field, and had the sixth-best range (RngR on FanGraphs) among all outfielders. Pillar posted a 7.4 RngR while Rosario was at -7.6. Pillar isn’t affectionately deemed “Superman” without reason. Although Pillar is two years older than Rosario, Pillar has almost a full foot per second greater sprint speed than Rosario as well. If Rosario is sent to the Marlins (or another team) during the offseason, Pillar would be an ideal replacement on a one-year deal for the Twins until a certain prospect is ready to hit the big leagues. What you would lose in fractions of an offensive edge with Rosario, you’d gain in defensive prowess and clubhouse leadership in Pillar. Pillar is a fan favorite for every team that he’s ever played for. If Rosario is sent to another team, Twins fans want someone to root for and a name to chant at the game. I can already see the Superman shirts in the Twins’ store. Fun fact: Kevin Pillar once held a 54-game game hitting streak in college, which to this day is the NCAA Division II record. He was later drafted in the 32nd round of the 2011 Major League Baseball draft by the Toronto Blue Jays. Seventh FA of Twins-mas: Marcell Ozuna 2019 Salary: $5.25M Twins offer: 2 year, $30M Potential role: Starting left-fielder The Twins do not typically sign big fish into their pond. The Twins prefer practical, bargain hunts, rather than splashing out on big ticket items, such as a Gerrit Cole or an Anthony Rendon. Out of all the big names linked to the Twins this offseason, such as Zack Wheeler and Madison Bumgarner, none have actually been penned over to the Twin Cities for the 2020 season. While right now there are no obvious holes that need to be plugged in the outfield, one could potentially arise if the Twins continue communications with other teams about Rosario. If Rosario is traded in the offseason, the Twins should invest in Marcell Ozuna, one of the hottest outfielders on the market. Ozuna is an alluring choice and an ideal fit for the Twins because although he is the most coveted outfield bat in this marketplace, he does not hold the same price tag and allure as a player like Mookie Betts, or even 2018’s Bryce Harper. If Rosario is traded to another team in the offseason, Ozuna is a major upgrade that the Twins should put a large, short-term investment in to bolster the lineup, both offensively and defensively. For most teams, there are more reasons to sign Ozuna than to NOT sign Ozuna. Ozuna is one of the top free agents on the market, even outside out of the outfielder market. Although the slot for the final free agent was a toss up between Ozuna and Nicholas Castellanos, the crown was eventually given to Ozuna on a slight edge. At 29-years-old, Ozuna is at the height of his career. He is coming off of one of his worst seasons in the majors, however, largely due to a right-hand injury. Prior to 2019, Ozuna suffered numerous setbacks, such as a lingering shoulder injury. However, Ozuna shows signs of promise with a marvelous postseason for the Cardinals, slashing a .324/.359/.595 in his first postseason debut, which indicates that Ozuna is ready for a bounce back year in 2020. Despite his relatively disappointing 2019 performance, Ozuna had a 2.2 WAR in 2019, with a career WAR of 19.5 after just seven years in the big leagues. For comparison, Rosario had a 1.6 WAR in 2019, with a career WAR of 10.3 after five years in the big leagues. Although Ozuna had his infamous, meme-able moment in St. Louis this year after attempting to scale a wall to catch a ball, Ozuna is by no means a poor defender. Consistently, Ozuna has a fielding percentage of .985 or better. Rosario only had one season in the majors where he had a fielding percentage of exactly .985. Year after year, Ozuna continues to improve defensively, while Rosario’s remains stagnant. Ozuna rejected the qualifying offer that was offered to him by the St. Louis Cardinals, suggesting that he is ready to bet on himself for a multi-year renaissance in the upcoming seasons. Therefore, the Twins should give Ozuna the platform that he needs to thrive. Replacing Rosario’s big bat with an even bigger bat in Ozuna locks in the reliable offense that the Twins need, without draining their bank account on a “designer” piece. 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The holidays are around the corner with the end of this treacherous decade for Minnesota postseason baseball finally in sight. Although the twelve days of Christmas aren’t due for another two weeks (yes, they are AFTER Christmas), the five days of the Baseball Winter Meetings quickly coming to an end.With the hottest of hot gloves, Gerrit Cole and Anthony Rendon, off the market, there are still hundreds of eligible free agents, eagerly awaiting the name on the front of their next jerseys. While the Twins have their work cut out for them in bolstering their rotation (looking at you, Ryu), there are still small, yet prominent holes that need to be plugged throughout the team. This three-part series will cover the twelve free agents that the Twins should spend the remainder of their payroll on this holiday season. Stay tuned for Part II – Outfielders and Part III – Pitchers in the coming weeks. Feel free to sing along. No turtle doves were harmed in the making of this list. First FA of Twins-mas: Justin Smoak, 1B 2019 salary: $4.25M Twins should offer: 1 year, $5M Justin Smoak was a part of a team whose core included Jose Bautista, Josh Donaldson, and Edwin Encarnacion, who collectively led the Toronto Blue Jays to divisional dominance in the AL East for much of the 2010’s. Just like the three aforementioned players, Justin Smoak is looking for a new home. However, unlike Donaldson and Encarnacion, Smoak has struggled to match his offensive numbers after an All-Star bid in 2017. In 2019, Smoak hit .208/.342/.406 and a meager 22 home runs, in the year of the (allegedly) juiced ball. However, at 33-years-old, Smoak still has a few years left in his prime. In addition, the Twins have a gap in their lineup at first base. Although Miguel Sano is a potential substitute in this position, his defensive metrics are a cause for concern. In 100 games in 2019, Sano committed a total of 19 errors and held a fielding percentage of .956 at first base, far below the league average of .993. In 89 games, Smoak committed only four errors, with a fielding percentage of .995. However, the elephant in Smoak’s locker room is the concern for his offensive production in 2020. The “Bomba Squad” campaign showed that defense is not always key with this team. Having someone like Smoak to ensure that each defensive stone is turned can be key in close, divisional games. This will also bring great ease to Twins fans across the territory, who collectively groaned far too many times in 2019 due to missed defensive plays by Sano. Lastly, with the retirement of Joe Mauer and the loss of Kyle Gibson to the Texas Rangers, the team could use a veteran presence. Justin Smoak is widely known as a “clubhouse guy” and was a fan favorite in Canada during his tenure with the Blue Jays. Smoak can be a great leader for the numerous, young Twins, while quickly becoming a fan favorite in Minnesota as well. In this free agent market, first basemen are not a dime-a-dozen. Therefore, the Twins should invest in Justin Smoak as a defensive key to improve the team from 26th in the league in fielding percentage, to at the minimum, league average. Second FA of Twins-mas: Greg Bird, 1B 2019 salary: $1.2M Twins offer: Minor League Deal Greg Bird had a long, frustrating, and very disappointing tenure with the Yankees. Every step forward launched seven steps back and an even longer stint on the injured list. The man who was once deemed “the future of the Yankees” was kicked out of his nest in the Bronx earlier this winter. Despite being a free agent for this first time in his career, there has been little to no activity in potential landing spots for Bird. The Bad: Bird missed all of 2016 due to injury. The Ugly: He has only played in 186 games since 2015. For reference, Jorge Polanco played the most games for the Twins last year, at 153 games. There’s only one thing going for Greg Bird at this point: he’s 27-years-old. It’s no secret that the Bronx isn’t a welcoming playground for struggling players (remember Sonny Gray?). However, Bird’s 2019 spring training statistics are a glimmer of hope for a resurgence. He hit an impressive .333/.500/.643, which shows that the pieces are still there, somewhere underneath the injuries. In a more welcoming environment such as Minnesota, where Bird would not face the same pressure to perform right away, he might thrive. With little to no pressure for Bird to join the roster, he can take the time that is needed to re-establish himself in the minor leagues. If betting on Bird pays off, it could pay off big time. In the scenario that future first baseman and Marwin Gonzalez both face injuries, which occurred in 2019, Bird could be a highly effective substitute. Although his sample size is small, Greg Bird has had solid defensive numbers at first base, with his fielding percentage consistently hovering near 1.000. Lastly, Greg Bird was an effective asset in the playoffs when he was healthy enough to join the postseason roster. In two postseasons with the Yankees, Greg Bird put up .250/.421/.500. For reference, only Luis Arraez, Eddie Rosario, and Jorge Polanco had better numbers for all three stats in the short-lived 2019 postseason. It takes one spark to create a forest fire. If the Twins sign Greg Bird to a minor league deal, and it doesn’t work out as intended, the Twins don’t lose out long term, unlike committing a multi-year, multi-million dollar deal to an older player whose future is also uncertain. However, if Greg Bird finds his groove, he could find himself in a critical role on the Twins’ roster. Did I mention that Bird is currently playing winter ball in the Dominican Republic and looks the healthiest he has been since spring training? Let’s keep an eye on this bird. Third FA of Twins-mas: C.J. Cron, 1B 2019 salary: $4.8M Twins offer: 2 year, $12M This last free agent slot was a difficult one to fill. Josh Donaldson is an obvious choice, and as one of the many villains of Target Field with a spectacular tenure with the Braves in 2019, I have no doubts about his performance. With only $33M left in payroll for the Twins to commit to in 2020 (please read this), I would like to see as much of this allocated to other necessities, such as signing a primo pitcher for first half of the next decade. Therefore, the final FA on this list is another bargain with an even more familiar face. C.J. Cron had a decent year with the Twins. Cron first brushed with the injured list on July 7 with thumb inflammation. After this, he faced on and off stints on the IL until the postseason, where his .200 batting average clearly indicated that his thumb injury was still lingering. Prior to his first stint on the IL in July, Cron hit 266/.326/.495 with 17 homers and 18 doubles in 78 games. His season ended with just eight more home runs and six more doubles. On the defensive side, Cron is solid and consistent. In 2018 and 2019, Cron put up positive values for Rtot/year. His defensive measures have consistently improved year over year from his first season in the majors with the Angels in 2014. His fielding percentage in 2019 was .992 and he turned 87 double plays, the highest in his career, despite any potential hindrance from his injury. Cron underwent thumb surgery in October and will be ready for spring training. Despite the unfortunate injury which tainted Cron’s overall performance, Cron’s consistency and persistence show that he can continue to be an asset in Minnesota if he is given a second chance here. At 29-years-old, Cron still has prime years for the Twins to invest in with plenty to prove in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. I am hoping that the man with the best walk-up song in 2019 makes an eventual return to Target Field. Editor's Note: Rena is a new contributor to Twins Daily. You can find her on Twitter @renabanena. MORE FROM TWINS DAILY — Latest Twins coverage from our writers — Recent Twins discussion in our forums — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email Click here to view the article