I’ve been wondering when we’d finally see something connecting the Minnesota Twins to an impact alternative to Josh Donaldson. When a dance has gone on as long as this one, eventually, some report comes out that – ostensibly – applies a little pressure to the free agent: “Hey, man, make up your mind, because we have other options.”
Finally, that report is out:
Source: Whereas other teams’ willingness to engage them in trade discussions was minimal last month, the #MNTwins say that has increased plenty over the past 3 days. They’re actively looking for a solution instead of waiting for Josh Donaldson’s decision.https://t.co/ISnuE1C5BA
— Dan Hayes (@DanHayesMLB) January 9, 2020
“While they remain very much in on free-agent third baseman Josh Donaldson, the Twins have been working toward an alternate solution this week via the trade market.”
To be very sure here, no specific names are mentioned as trade alternatives. But, let’s be real: when you’re talking about trade market alternatives to impact third baseman Josh Donaldson, there aren’t exactly a ton of names out there. And, since the small-market Twins seem an unlikely fit for Nolan Arenado, it’s not a leap to suggest they’ve probably inquired on Kris Bryant at some point.
Even that said, the article reads to me less like a breakthrough rumor about a possible new Bryant suitor (or any other trade piece out there), and even goes off on a bit about how the Twins could instead move on from Donaldson by trading for another pitcher(?). All in all, this is to me mostly a signal from the Twins that they don’t want to wait forever on Donaldson, and don’t want to simply be used as piece of paper to get the best price out of the Braves.
The upshot: the Twins very clearly want Donaldson, and appear now to be tiring of waiting. Perhaps that will help apply enough pressure to move the Donaldson market toward a final decision one way or another, which would then, in turn, further clear the way for Bryant trade talks (right around the time his service time grievance might be decided).
In the meantime, *IF* the Twins emerged as an actually-rumored Bryant suitor, we could dig in a little more on what they might have to offer. They have a reasonably strong farm system – including a really interesting big-league-ready arm in Brusdar Graterol – so it’s not like there couldn’t be a possible fit if it came to that.