How do the new players fit onto this Minnesota Twins roster?
This is the question that will almost certainly be answered in Spring Training. How will new faces like Simmons, Colomé, Robles, and Happ mesh with the current team and up-and-coming prospects like Kirilloff and Rooker? How will the new positions work for Arraez and Polanco? Does the team continue to gel like they have?
It seems like the Simmons signing will work out well. Polanco and Arraez were consulted throughout the process, so it would be a surprise if there was a real issue there. I’m sure that through injuries and/or lineup tinkering, all three will get plenty of innings.
Happ is a veteran guy, one who has been around the league a while and fit in nicely on each roster he’s been on, and though he’s younger, that’s how Colomé is too. Robles was a bit of a hot head when he was younger, but he’s always been well-liked by his teammates and will likely be well-liked here too.
As for the younger guys, none of the Twins’ prospects have really been noted to have any issues as far as character goes, and they know things are going to go. The Twins have worked hard to build a solid locker room with good chemistry and it looks like all of their recent additions will still fit into that.
It would be extremely surprising to see any issues flare up on this roster, as the Twins build a roster the way they always have: draft and develop good solid players, make small, high-upside free agent moves and focus on team chemistry. That’s how small market teams win titles.
This team made really good additions this offseason. Chemistry was thought about through all this, and Spring Training will show if all of these moves work out. This time will be especially key for the starting nine, considering how important the middle infield situation is. I do believe that in the end, it will work out well.