Donovan Solano says he wants Twins to offer him a contract: ‘I would like to stay’

So far this offseason the Minnesota Twins have done exactly nothing to build off the success the team had in the postseason.

It was the most successful October campaign the franchise has experienced since 2002, as the miserable 19-year losing streak came to a merciful end. More than simply ending the curse, it was was the way in which the Twins looked like a capable contender that got fans excited about what the future might hold.

Like the Nathan Fielder meme come to life, hopefully Twins fans were hungry for nothing.

The only moves Minnesota has made is watching free agents like Sonny Gray and Kenta Maeda leave in free agency. Emilio Pagan and Tyler Mahle also left, along with lower-tier players like Dylan Florio and Andrew Stevenson. Meanwhile, the Kansas City Royals continue to have a Twins-style offseason signing high-upside free agents to deals that seem like the sort that Minnesota would offer and thus improve the roster with.

A reduced payroll amid fears over lost TV revenue has handcuffed the front office, but it hasn’t stopped players from making their feelings about wanting to play for the Twins known.

Donovan Solano wants Twins to offer him a contract

One of those players is free agent Donovan Solano. He joined the Twins last spring and ended up being a critical addition throughout the course of the season. He helped fill in at first base, platooned elsewhere in the lineup, and was effective on offense while adding some veteran presence to the clubhouse.

Twins fans adored him, and it seems as though the feeling is mutual.

Speaking with Spanish-language outlet Zona Cera, Solano made it clear that he wants to stay in Minnesota and hopes the Twins offer him a contract this winter.

“Twins is [sic] one of the teams that has shown interest and I would like to stay there. The group of teammates is excellent and the most important thing is that this team wants to win, wants to go to the postseason, and that's what I want. I would be happy if they are going to offer me or sign me, if I can return, but the business and situations sometimes change and I don't know yet if it will be with that team. Wherever God opens the door and sends me, there I will go,” Solano said, translated to English.

Solano has made sense as a free agent target for Minnesota for a number of reasons. There are doubts about whether Alex Kirilloff will be healthy to start the season, thus creating an identical sitaution the one that brought Solano to the Twins last spring.

He’s also a familiar face, one who helped install a winning culture and would likely come back on a team-friendly deal. There’s also space for him on the depth chart, as the Twins would have to start getting creative behind Kirilloff by moving Edouard Julien over, or sign a free agent to help out.

If the team is going the latter route, it’s pretty clear who the perfect target should be.

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