Hot Stove League Review: Twins

The Twins are coming off a AL Central championship and a major league record 307 home runs.  They used the Hot Stove League season to double down on power and make modest additions to a mediocre pitching staff.  Key Moves:

Free Agent Losses:  Kyle Gibson(RHP), Jason Castro(C), CJ Cron(1B/DH), Jonathan Schoop(2B), Sam Dyson(RHP), Ronald Torreyes(IF), Trevor Hildenberger(RHP), Kohl Stewart(RHP), Stephen Gonsalves(LHP), Martin Perez(LHP- declined option).

Free Agent Signings:  Josh Donaldson(3B- 4 yrs/$92 M), Michael Pineda(RHP-re-signed 2 yr/$20 M), Jake Odirizzi(RHP- Accepted QO), Homer Bailey(RHP- 1 yr/$7 M), Sergio Romo(RHP- 1 yr/$5 M), Alex Avila(C), Rich Hill(LHP), Tyler Clippard(RHP).

Trades:  Acquired Kenta Maeda(RHP) and Jair Camargo(C) from the Dodgers for Brusdar Graterol(RHP) and Luke Raley(OF).  Acquired Hunter McMahon(RHP) from the Nationals for Ryne Harper(RHP).

Waiver Claim:  Matt Wisler(RHP) from the Mariners.

Extension:  Miguel Sano(3B/1B-3 yr/$30 M).

Minor League Free Agents:  Jhoulys Chacin(RHP), Cory Gearrin(RHP), Danny Coulombe(LHP), Blaine Hardy(LHP), Ryan Garton(RHP), Juan Graterol(C), Parker Bridwell(RHP), Juan Minaya(RHP), Lane Adams(OF).

Summary:  Twins lose 61 HR's from last season(Castro, Cron, Schoop) and gain 46(Donaldson, Avila) so maybe the Donaldson signing was a priority after all?  Still seems like the bigger priority was bolstering the pitching staff.  Kenta Maeda saved their Hot Stove season by demanding a trade from the Dodgers.  He was originally part of a 3-team trade to send Mookie Betts to the Bad Guys, but when the BoSox balked at Graterol's medicals, the Twins-Dodgers part of the trade was converted to a separate deal.  Maeda is a better than average SP, but has not proven to have the stamina to be more than a "five and dive" guy.  Homer Bailey will try to prove his comeback is not a fluke on a low-cost 1 year deal and the Twins will try to get a month or two out of Rich Hill(he's great when he's healthy).  Here's a fun fact:  Sergio Romo has signed contracts guaranteeing a grand total of just under $39 M in his MLB career not counting TV ads for Cadillac dealerships, etc.  Love that!  Kid from Brawley, CA deserves every penny of it.

Grade:  B.