Minnesota Twins: The Josh Donaldson Impact

Minnesota Twins fans were hoping the team would sign a big time pitcher, and then watched has pitcher after pitcher signed with anyone else but with the Twins.

Then the news came out that they signed a couple of pitchers, Rich Hill and Homer Bailey. Not exactly big names fans were hoping for. Not surprisingly, disappointment set in and the usual outcries of "this team won't spend money" started to coming out.

Then the Twins surprised a lot of people. They agreed to a 4-year, $92 million dollar deal with 3rd base slugger Josh Donaldson. The biggest free-agent signing in Twins history.

No, it's not a pitcher but it is a big time hitter. Donaldson adds power to what is already  a home run hitting lineup. You gotta think that opposing pitchers are going to fear facing this team. He also plays some pretty good defense and the Twins could use that.

So what about that pitching again? Signing Donaldson allows the Twins to seriously look at trading top prospects to acquire some of that pitching that is still desperately needed. We know that the Twins have always had a tough time parting with them, so will see if they can really do it.

Back to Donaldson and his impact on the Twins hitting. Here are some possible lineup's those opposing pitchers might see. The Twins used Max Kepler to lead off a lot last year. If that happens again, you might see this:

1. Kepler (L) .252 - 36 HR's
2. Polanco (S) .295 - 22 HR's
3. Cruz (R) .311 - 41 HR's
4. Donaldson (R) .259 - 37 HR's
5. Rosario (L) .276 - 32 HR's
6. Sano (R) .247 - 34 HR's
7. Garver (R) .273 - 31 HR's
8. Arraez (L) .334 - 4 HR's
9. Buxton (R) .262 - 10 HR's

But I like the idea of having someone who gets on base a lot.. And if Arraez can repeat last year's performance, I like him leading off. Plus, he see's a lot of pitches which is always good, and it works for the right/left thing if that's important.

1. Arraez (L) .334 - 4 HR's
2. Polanco (S) .295 - 22 HR's
3. Cruz (R) .311 - 41 HR's
4. Kepler (L) .252 - 36 HR's
5. Donaldson (R) .259 - 37 HR's
6. Rosario (L) .276 - 32 HR's
7. Sano (R) .247 - 34 HR's
8. Garver (R) .273 - 31 HR's
9. Buxton (R) .262 - 10 HR's

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1. Polanco (S) .295 - 22 HR's
2. Cruz (R) .311 - 41 HR's
3. Kepler (L) .252 - 36 HR's
4. Donaldson (R) .259 - 37 HR's
5. Rosario (L) .276 - 32 HR's
6. Sano (R) .247 - 34 HR's
7. Arraez (L) .334 - 4 HR's
8. Garver (R) .273 - 31 HR's
9. Buxton (R) .262 - 10 HR's

No matter what the lineup is, it looks pretty formidable. Donaldson should make a BIG impact (if he stays healthy).