Minnesota Twins: Re-Grading the 2021 Offseason Moves

Re-Grading the Minnesota Twins Lineup Deals

Nelson Cruz

Original Grade: A-

Finally, a move that worked out really well for the Twins. Nelson Cruz was really good for the Twins, slashing .294/.370/.537 with 19 home runs and 50 RBI in 85 games before the trade deadline. He was the heart and soul of the team, and his leadership kept the team fighting.

The fact that he was easily the best hitter on the team was enough to make this grade worth it, as he only missed a few games in Minnesota before he was shipped to Tampa Bay in a deal that will later be known only as the Joe Ryan trade. This is easy to re-grade.

Grade: A

Andrelton Simmons

Original Grade: A

Welp, I really struck out here. It was easy to see why Andrelton Simmons was going to be a good fit for the team. The Twins desperately needed a true shortstop that could slot in towards the back of the order, play great defense, and make a contending team better. Unfortunately, the Twins still need that guy.

Simmons was a bust right out of the gate for the Twins, bad enough that I suggested Simmons be traded back in May. If i’m going to flip my opinion on a player that quickly and dramatically, you have to be awful. I still believe in Sanó for crying out loud. It only got worse from there.

After the trade deadline, I wrote that the Twins should just designate him for assignment to free up his innings and be rid of the headache. They didn’t and now the Twins’ third-highest paid player is slashing .224/.285/.277 (all three are the worst marks of his career) with just 3 homers and 31(!!!!) RBI.

He’s a gaping hole in the lineup, unpopular in the locker room, and hated by the fans. Andrelton Simmons has been arguably the worst free agent signing in Twins history,  and his grade should show as much.

Re-Grade: 0% (An F felt too high)