Since hiring Rocco Baldelli as their new manager in October, the Minnesota Twins have made several interesting additions by way of free agency. Late last month they added slugger C.J. Cron and yesterday added second baseman Jonathan Schoop and underappreciated utility man Ronald Torreyes.
After four seasons with the Los Angeles Angels, Cron hit a career high 30 HR and 74 RBI in his only season with the Tampa Bay Rays. Inexplicably, however, the Rays did not tender him a contract and placed him on waivers. The Rays have been making a lot of good moves, but I think they will regret this one. Cron will bolster a lineup with limited power. He already established a relationship with Baldelli in St. Pete last year and I suspect the best is yet to come.
Schoop had a disappointing season in 2018 after a career year in 2017 in which he hit .293 with 32 HR and 105 RBI with the Baltimore Orioles. Even a mid-season trade to the contending Milwaukee Brewers didn't help matters much hitting only .202 in 46 games with the Brew Crew while going 0 for 8 in the post-season. But at 27 Schoop still has youth on his side and an opportunity to prove 2017 wasn't a fluke which I suspect it wasn't.
I can only hope Torreyes finds a home in the Twin Cities. The New York Yankees designate him for assignment, trade him to the Chicago Cubs who in turn decline to offer him a contract making him a free agent. What does a guy have to do? I have a feeling Torreyes will quickly become a fan favorite at Target Field.
It remains to be seen what the Twins will do with their pitching, but in a weak AL Central they are the only team which is any threat to dethroning the Cleveland Indians in 2019. If nothing else these moves make them a viable AL Wild Card contender.
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