MLB 2020 Offseason Breakdown: Minnesota Twins

Back for another installment of my MLB Offseason Breakdown for the 2020 season. If you are new here, what I do is write about all the acquisitions and losses the team had, my projected lineups and rotations, grade for the offseason, and my prediction for the team in the 2020 season. Let’s get into it.

Offseason Acquisition and Loses:
3B Josh Donaldson signs a 4 year $92 million contract
This is a very good signing by the Twins as they bring in the former MVP. Donaldson, who missed most of the 2018 season, had a good comeback season with Atlanta last year. Though his batting average was down, he was able to hit 37 home runs and brought in 94 runs. Good comeback season for him, as the Twins will hope for a similar season with the money he is getting.
RHP Kyle Gibson signs a 3 year $28 million contract with Texas
After spending all 7 years of his career with Minnesota, the Twins let Gibson walk. I thought it was a good decision because Gibson has never really shown he can be a mid-level pitcher. In his career, Gibson has gone 67-68 with a 4.52 ERA, not really the best numbers. Gibson got a good bag too so that’s another reason why they should not have brought him back.
Minnesota trades RHP Brusdar Graterol and RF Luke Raley to the Dodgers for RHP Kenta Maeda
The Twins kind of got fleeced in this trade as they give away one of the best young pitchers in Graterol and all they got was Kenta Maeda. Now Maeda is a fine pitcher, but I would not have traded a top prospect for him. Now I know the whole Mookie Betts trade screwed everything up, but it’s still weird to see all they got was Maeda.
RHP Homer Bailey signs a 1 year $7 million contract
The 13-year veteran is now heading to Minnesota after a below than average 2019 season. Last season on the Royals and A’s, Bailey went 13-9 with a 4.57 ERA. Bailey will be fine as a lower-rotation starting pitcher.
C Jason Castro signs a 1 year $6.85 million contract with the Angels
After 3 lackluster seasons in Minnesota, the Twins let Castro walk and it was the smart decision. Castro was plagued by injury and bad play on the last season so there was no reason in keeping him. Mitch Graver, who started 73 games last season at catcher and won the silver slugger, will be the primary starting catcher this season.

Projected Lineup:
C: Mitch Garver
1B: Miguel Sano
2B: Luis Arraez
3B: Josh Donaldson
SS: Jorge Polanco
LF: Eddie Rosario
CF: Byron Buxton
RF: Max Kepler
DH: Nelson Cruz

Projected Rotation
1. Jose Berrios
2. Jake Odorizzi
3. Kenta Maeda
4. Homer Bailey
5. Randy Dobnak

Offseason Grade: A-

2020 Prediction:
The Twins have such a talented roster, it kind of hits you by surprise. Even though multiple pitchers are gone, the Twins did have the 5th best ERA in the AL, 3rd least walks given, and 6th in total strikeouts. Not to forget how good they were hitting wise as well, where they had the most home runs in MLB, 2nd best batting average in the AL, and 3nd most runs in the AL. This team should be really good this season and I expect them to finish 1st once again in the AL Central. Now for the playoffs, I don’t see the Twins making it past the first round as they will lose to the Astros in the first round.

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MLB 2020 Offseason Breakdown: Minnesota Twins

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