How the Twins roster looks after signing Josh Donaldson

The Minnesota Twins are in great shape with their roster with almost all of their holes being filled this off season. Josh Donaldson really helps turn this roster from great to... well, really great I guess. With around a month until Spring Training begins, here is where we are at with the potential opening day roster.

Starting pitchers (5): Jose Berrios, Jake Odorizzi, Homer Bailey, and pick two of Thorpe/Dobnak/Smeltzer/Graterol

The main goal of the off season was always to add impact starting pitching, but that has not really happened unless you call Bailey and Rich Hill impact additions. Even so, the rotation is in fine shape with two all stars, a reliable veteran, and two rookies who could be very good. This includes their most consistent starter of 2019, Michael Pineda, and one of the best pitchers in baseball over the last few years, Rich Hill, waiting in the wings. I think Thorpe, Dobnak, Smeltzer, and Graterol could all be very good if given the opportunity, and it looks like they will be. It can certainly be argued that there is still a need to add another impact starter, and I would agree—but I would bet that addition comes at the trade deadline.

Relief pitchers (8): Taylor Rogers, Tyler Duffey, Trevor May, Sergio Romo, Tyler Clippard, Zack Littell, Cody Stashak, Matt Wisler

The bullpen will be one of the best areas on this team that will have a lot of really good areas. Rogers, Duffey, May, Romo, and Clippard are all locks with Littell and Stashak also having extremely strong cases. That really leaves one spot open and Matt Wisler, Fernando Romero, and Ryne Harper among others could fill that spot. Graterol could also fill that role depending on what the Twins see him as going forward. Overall this should be a very strong unit with solid depth.

Catchers (2): Mitch Garver and Alex Avila

There is not any controversy here as to who will be on the opening day roster with Garver coming off one of the best offensive season as a catcher in MLB history and Avila entering as a solid backup. I would suspect we see about a 65%/35% split in playing time between the two unless injuries occur. Willians Astudillo did not crack my roster but he will definitely be one of the first to be called up when an injury does happen.

Infielders (5): Miguel Sano, Luis Arraez, Josh Donaldson (!), Jorge Polanco, Ehire Adrianza

Well this group certainly looks a lot more intimidating than it did yesterday. Josh Donaldson was signed for 4 years/$92 million and will be the opening day third baseman. With Miguel Sano, Jorge Polanco, and Luis Arraez filling the rest of the infield, this group could be the most dangerous infield in baseball. Defensively, everything is not as encouraging but the addition of Donaldson makes it look much better. Infield outs above average is a new leaderboard that was added recently. Donaldson is +8, but Sano is -5, Arraez is -6, and Polano is -16 so hopefully Donaldson can stabilize the defense.

Outfielders (5): Eddie Rosario, Byron Buxton, Max Kepler, Marwin Gonzalez, Jake Cave

The starters of this group will be Rosario, Buxton, and Kepler which will remain as one of the best outfields in baseball. Gonzalez could literally be listed anywhere on here but I opted to put him in the outfield. The fact that he will most likely not be in the opening day lineup speaks to just how elite this Twins team can be. I would bet Gonzalez would undoubtedly be a starter on almost every other team, but this one has too many great players. Jake Cave and LaMonte Wade jr. will be a fun competition and I really like Wade but I would bet Cave makes the team.

Designated hitter (1): Nelson Cruz

What is there to say about Cruz that hasn’t already been said? He is still one of the best power hitters in baseball and is coming off another excellent season where he hit 41 bombs with an OPS at 1.041 despite being nearly 40 years old. He will continue to smash baseballs and mentor the young kids like he did with Miguel Sano as the 2020 season progresses.

So this is where the Twins potential roster stands after signing Josh Donaldson. What do you think? I personally think it’s a top five roster in baseball and another starting pitcher addition would solidify that belief. Let me know what you would like to see in the comments!