NOW showing: My First 2020 Topps Card

I'm curious to see what replaces the 150 years Online subset this year - maybe something already has? Anyway, I was happy that Rod Carew's 1977 MVP season made the cut for this checklist.

The post season awards did result in a few Twins getting recognition for a record setting season. Cruz won a Silver Slugger Award at DH, and was also named the 2019 ALL-MLB 1st Team DH.

The Silver Slugger Award also went to Twins Catcher Mitch Garver, thanks to a tremendous season that set team records for homers by a backstop.

I was hoping to find some 2020 Topps Series 1 at Target today, but I struck out again. I did finally add a 2020 Topps card to my collection, though. The Topps NOW design hasn't changed yet for the new year, but obviously from the date, this card came out in January.

There was another one for sale yesterday featuring Kenta Maeda as the newest Twin, but we'll have to wait and see if he really becomes one! Today's news was that the Red Sox were expressing concerns that Brusdar Graterol's injury history projected him as a reliever instead of a starter. The young pitcher frequently tops 100 mph on his fastball and has a wicked slider, but had Tommy John surgery a few years ago and a minor shoulder issue during the season last year. Personally, I was looking forward to Graterol being a regular in the Twins bullpen in 2020, but getting a pitcher like Maeda that can help the rotation this year is an opportunity that can't be missed.

Is the Twins' Reign Delay Over?

After years of small drops in the free agent pool, the Twins yesterday made a big splash, signing the slugging thirdbaseman and Bringer of Rain, Josh Donaldson.

Donaldson started out as a Cubs farmhand, but was traded to Oakland (with several others) for Rich Harden and Chad Gaudin. He would finish 4th in the MVP voting in 2013, then make his first All-Star squad in 2014. By this point, his controllable years were up, which meant Oakland would be looking for a suitable affordable replacement for his services.

The Blue Jays swooped in and acquired Donaldson in exchange for four players, the biggest name was Brett Lawrie. His first season in Toronto was a smashing success, as he led the AL in runs scored, Runs Batted In, and total bases.

The following year, he topped 100 walks for the first time in his career and slugged a 153 OPS+. He would finish in the top 5 in the MVP voting again. In 2017 and 2018, Donaldson had injuries to his calf and a brief "dead arm" period. He would bounce back in a big way in 2019 with Atlanta.

The Twins also recently added Homer Bailey, who finished 2019 with a strong showing in Oakland, and boosted his swinging strike rate above 10 percent. He'll slot in as the team's 4th starter.

And let's not forget about Dick Mountain. Rich Hill will be rehabbing his elbow for at least the first month or two, but he figures to be a mid season addition (with Michael Pineda) that will further bolster the Twins' starting pitching rotation. I still think they should look to add one more pitcher before the end of the off season, but these moves have brought the Twins further along than they were at this time last year. The AL Central is still up for grabs between Minnesota, Chicago, and Cleveland.

Adding Donaldson makes an already dangerous lineup lethal. Looking forward to an exciting season at Target Field in 2020!