Imagine a Twins infield featuring former MVP Josh Donaldson at third base, All-Star Jorge Polanco at shortstop, star 2019 rookie Luis Arraez at second base, and the powerful bats of Miguel Sano and Mitch Garver at first base and catcher, respectively.
It’s a possible reality if the Twins can win a bidding war for Donaldson. The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reported (paywall) Thursday night that the Twins can’t be counted out of the Donaldson sweepstakes, saying Minnesota and the Nationals are believed to have offered him a four-year deal.
“I’m not certain they’re at four years, but that is the belief of some of the people I spoke to,” Rosenthal said Friday on MLB Network.
If Donaldson, 34, signs with the Twins, here’s a lineup projection offered up by MLB Network.
- Max Kepler, RF
- Josh Donaldson, 3B
- Nelson Cruz, DH
- Eddie Rosario, LF
- Mitch Garver, C
- Luis Arraez, 2B
- Miguel Sano, 1B
- Jorge Polanco, SS
- Byron Buxton, CF
That’s about as nasty as it gets, especially since the core of the above lineup, without Donaldson, led the Twins to an MLB record 307 home runs and 101 victories.
Donaldson hit .259/.379/.521 with 37 home runs and 94 RBI last season.
Twins like Nats are said to have been very aggressive in bid to land star 3B Josh Donaldson. Big question is whether incumbent Braves will match 4 years. Belief is their intention was to stop at 3, but things can change in free agency. Dodgers, Rangers seen unlikely to go 4.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 20, 2019
Josh Donaldson will definitely get 4-year contract just a question of whether whether it comes from #Nats, #Braves or a mystery team.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) December 20, 2019
Meanwhile, the Twins have made a move to improve the bullpen by signing veteran right-hander Tyler Clippard. In 69 appearances (53 innings) with the Indians last season, Clippard was solid with a 2.90 ERA and 0.86 WHIP.
Clippard is expected to serve as a force in the back of the bullpen with the likes of Sergio Romo, Tyler Duffey, Trevor May and Taylor Rogers.
