The Twins' Byron Buxton poses for a photographer on the team's media day during spring training baseball, Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2018, in Fort Myers, Fla.
A glance at the Minnesota Twins' offseason and storylines to watch in 2018.
Key addition(s): 1B Logan Morrison (free agent), RHP Lance Lynn (free agent), RHP Jake Odorizzi (trade), RHP Michael Pineda (free agent), RHP Addison Reed (free agent), RHP Fernando Rodney (free agent), LHP Zach Duke (free agent), RHP Anibal Sanchez (free agent), SS Erick Aybar (minor league free agent).
Key subtraction(s): RHP Bartolo Colon (free agent), LHP Hector Santiago (free agent), RHP Dillon Gee (free agent), LHP Glen Perkins (free agent), RHP Matt Belisle (free agent).
Baseball America top-100 prospect(s): SS Royce Lewis (No. 24), OF Brent Rooker (No. 92), SS Nick Gordon (No. 93), SS Wander Javier (No. 95), LHP Stephen Gonsalves (No. 97).
No team had lost 100 games one season and slipped into the playoffs the next before the Twins went from 103 losses in 2016 to a wild-card berth last October. They did it with Brian Dozier (4.4 WAR) doing his usual handiwork at second base, CF Byron Buxton graduating from prospect to star center fielder and RHP Ervin Santana turning in his best season since 2008.
Of course, the rotation is already behind the eight-ball with Santana likely starting the year on the shelf with a finger injury. Free agent signee Lance Lynn (3.1 WAR) will provide a boost, as will RHP Jake Odorizzi (minus-0.1 WAR) as he moves from Tampa Bay's Tropicana Field to pitching-friendly Target Field. But a lot of eyes will be on RHP Jose Berrios (1.7 WAR) to see if he can improve upon a solid sophomore season.
The Twins may have snagged the bargain of the offseason when 30-year-old 1B Logan Morrison – fresh off a career-high 38 homers – agreed to a $6.5 million deal for 2018. He'll serve as the Twins' regular DH and will help hold the offense together if 3B Miguel Sano serves a suspension for an alleged 2015 assault that surfaced this offseason.
Twins third baseman Miguel Sano practices a drill during spring training baseball, Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2018, in Fort Myers, Fla.