Minnesota Twins: 8 free agents the team should try to sign this offseason
By Matt Smith
Batters
Keeping in mind the main areas of need for the Minnesota Twins offensively, let’s shift focus to a couple of batters the team should target.
Marwin Gonzalez
Let’s start off with my top batting target this offseason, Marwin Gonzalez. One of the most exciting things about Gonzalez is that he’s a super, super utility player. Other than pitcher and catcher, Marwin plays everything. That’s not an exaggeration. In 2018 alone, he saw time at LF, CF, RF, 3B, SS, 2B, 1B, and DH. IN 2017, he played at LF, RF, 3B, SS, 2B, and 1B. In 2016, he appeared at LF, CF, 3B, SS, 2B, 1B, and DH. You get the idea.
This sort of positional flexibility is nearly unheard of in today’s game. Better yet, he’s not just a defensive player. Dating back to 2014, Gonzalez has slashed .271/.328/.438 while averaging 15 home runs and 53 RBI. That might not be too exciting if you were looking at a player who could only play a position or two, but Gonzalez covers 7 of them (8 if you include DH). Without starters yet at 2B or 3B, and a need for a backup 1B, Gonzalez would be a great addition to the team.
This could make even more sense given Miguel Sano’s situation. The Twins would want to leave space for a fully operational, effective Sano in the lineup, but they likely don’t want to have to count on him either, given how poor of a season he had. Gonzalez fits in perfectly there. If the best case scenario happens and Sano is back to an All-Star caliber in 2019, he can take 3B and Gonzalez can get everyday playing time bouncing around from position to position. If Sano bombs again, then Gonzalez can hold down fort at 3B in the meantime.
Players like this simply don’t come on the market very often, and I believe the Minnesota Twins would strongly benefit from adding Marwin Gonzalez to the team, even if they have to slightly overpay to get him.