Twins sign 1B/DH Logan Morrison

So this is a bit out of left field, but apparently the Twins have agreed to terms with left fielder and first baseman Logan Morrison. According to reports, the Twins will pay the 30-year-old $6.5 guaranteed in 2018, but incentives and vesting options could bring the deal to $16.5 million over 2018 and 2019.

If this strikes you as an odd deal, you’re not alone. The Twins already have many viable options for first base/DH — including Joe Mauer, Miguel Sano, Kennys Vargas, and Robbie Grossman. The team isn’t particularly hurting for outfielders either, given they have Byron Buxton, Eddie Rosario, Max Kepler, Robbie Grossman, and Zack Granite, among others (NICK BUSS!!).

What Logan Morrision — known also as “LoMo” — does add is more reasonable power. The left-hander managed to knock out 38 home runs last season with the Rays, which is at least four more dongs than any of the Twins hit in 2017 (Brian Dozier led the team in home runs with 34). Over his eight year major league career, LoMo is batting .245/.330/.433 with 122 home runs.

Apparently, part of this new signing may have to do with recent pitching acquisition Jake Odorizzi. Odorizzi spent the last two seasons with LoMo in Tampa Bay, and reportedly put recent effort into recruiting Morrison. “I’ve had conversations with (Morrison) about here,” Odorizzi told Mike Berardino of the Pioneer Press. “We’ll see what comes out of it.” More interestingly, however, Odorizzi has also been trying to former teammate and current recruit free agent pitcher Alex Cobb. Call me when the Twins get that one done.

Because the Twins DFA’d (and lost) J.T. Chargois on wiavers, there’s no need to clear a 40-man roster spot for Morrison. The team also signed veteran shortstop Erick Aybar on Friday, but that was only a minor league deal, so it didn’t require a 40-man spot.