Fansided

The 5 biggest winners from the MLB offseason as spring training opens

By David Salituro

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 18: Gerrit Cole and Manager, Aaron Boone of the New York Yankees pose for a photo at Yankee Stadium during a press conference at Yankee Stadium on December 18, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 18: Gerrit Cole and Manager, Aaron Boone of the New York Yankees pose for a photo at Yankee Stadium during a press conference at Yankee Stadium on December 18, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – JANUARY 22: Josh Donaldson of the Minnesota Twins speaks to the media as the Twins introduce him at Target Field on January 22, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – JANUARY 22: Josh Donaldson of the Minnesota Twins speaks to the media as the Twins introduce him at Target Field on January 22, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

Minnesota Twins

The Minnesota Twins enjoyed a power surge in 2019, setting a Major League record with 307 home runs and scoring the second-most runs in the league. It was a significant improvement for a lineup that ranked 23rd in the majors in homers in 2018.

It wasn’t enough to satisfy a club that won their division for the first time since 2010 and eclipsed the 100-win mark for only the second time in franchise history, but suffered a disappointing playoff exit. The Twins instead went out this offseason and added one of the most decorated sluggers on the free agent market.

The Twins signed third baseman and former AL MVP Josh Donaldson to a four-year, $92 million deal in January, a risky deal to give to a player who will turn 37 by the time it expires in 2023. If Donaldson displays the same form he had last season, though, it would be well worth it.

Donaldson had an injury-plagued 2018 and appeared in just 52 games that season. He bounced back in 2019 to hit 37 home runs for the Braves, winning Comeback Player of the Year honors. Even with that lost season, he still ranks third among third baseman in home runs since 2015 and is behind only Kris Bryant in WAR and Nolan Arenado in OPS.

He’ll be joining a lineup that had five different players hit at least 30 home runs last season, including career years from Max Kepler, Eddie Rosario, and Mitch Garver. But the offense wasn’t the only area the Twins front office addressed this offseason.

As the Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox were completing their deal involving Mookie Betts and David Price heading to the West Coast, the Dodgers were also busy dealing pitcher Kenta Maeda to Minnesota. The Twins also signed veterans Homer Bailey and Rich Hill in free agency. They’ll slide into their rotation behind Jose Berrios and Jake Odorizzi, who combined to win 29 games for the AL Central champs in 2019.

Next. Pete Alonso on baseball cards, new manager, and more. dark

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