The Minnesota Twins have locked up one of the best remaining talents in the 2019-20 free-agent class after scooping up Josh Donaldson. The Twins agreed to a four-year, $92 million contract with the slugging third baseman to bring him back to the American League. In the midst of all the sign-stealing investigation and firing of Red Sox manager Alex Cora, the Twins have secured their third baseman. Mark Feinsand of MLB Network was quick to report the news of the two sides coming to an agreement followed by the financials of the four-year deal as well.
BREAKING: Per source, 3B Josh Donaldson has agreed to a four-year deal with the Minnesota Twins.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) January 15, 2020
Donaldson’s deal with the Twins is four years and $92 million guaranteed ($23 million AAV), per source. The deal includes a fifth-year club option that could bring the total to $100 million. It’s the second-biggest deal in history for a player age 33 or older.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) January 15, 2020
In 2019, Donaldson was the Atlanta Braves third baseman, putting up phenomenal numbers in a bounce-back season after being traded the prior season. Donaldson played in 155 games for the Braves, posting a .251/.521/.379 slash line with 37 home runs and 94 RBI on the season. He was a solid hitter for the young and talented Braves lineup, being the slugger in the middle of the lineup, and now he will be able to do the same for the Twins.
This move by the Twins means a few different things for their team structure heading into the season. The Twins third baseman is now Donaldson, meaning that Sano will slide over to first base or the designated hitter position with Marwin Gonzalez being a versatile player currently slotted to play first base. Sano is already a phenomenal power hitter along with the entire Twins lineup, but this move adds even more power to the team.
