RF Dave Winfield opts out of the last year of his deal and will test free agency at 34 years old. Carl Pohlad has given Hartman a generous budget for the first time in his tenure as owner. We have $25 million to work with which ranks 8th in MLB. 

 

LF Aquiles Bautista signs a 7 year $3.25 M AAV contract with the Yankees. 38 year old legend Nolan Ryan goes back home to Houston for 2 years $3.4 M AAV after spending the last 4 seasons in Milwaukee. Nolan is 4 wins away from 300 in his career! 29 year SP Moose Haas signed a 5 year $2.7 M AAV contract with Seattle. 

 

The best use of the extra budget for the Twins is the trade market... 29 year old 3B Paul Molitor was available as a salary dump from the Blue Jays and we took full advantage. He joins the team in exchange for 21 year old LF Darryel Walters who was playing in A ball. 

 

The Twins also acquired CP Goose Gossage in exchange for 1B/LF Jesse Vann. 

 

Old friend 3B Randy Ready signed a 3 year $1.3 M AAV contract with the Tigers. We will see if that's a regrettable decision to let a 25 year player walk. Old friend Jack Morris returns to the Twins on a 4 year $1 M AAV contract after spending the previous 2 seasons with Texas. Old friend Dave Winfield refused to negotiate with the Twins any further and ended up signing a 3 year $2.1 M AAV contract with the LA Dodgers. 

 

Kansas City will be spending $3 million per year for the next 7 years for 28 year old LF Kirk Gibson. 38 year old C Carlton Fisk re-ups with the Mets for 2 more years after spending the previous 7 years with them. 

 

The 1986 HOF is a lone entrant - first ballot SP Phil Niekro. 

 

1986 Season:

 

 

1986 Draft:

1. ATL - LF Albert Belle

2. CAL - SS Gary Sheffield

3. CLE - CF Ken Griffey Jr.

4. CWS - C Dave Nilsson

5. DET - SP Jack McDowell

6. TOR - C Craig Biggio

SP John Smoltz went 10th overall to the Dodgers. With the 28th overall pick, the Twins selected 21 year old SP Jack Armstrong. 

Detroit Tigers LF Mike Compton and (now) Seattle Mariners 3B Mike Schmidt are the newest members of the 500 HR club! 

1986 All Stars: SP Bob Welch (3x), 2B Tony Bernazard (1x), LF Timothy Clemmons (10x), RF Kirby Puckett (1x)

St. Paul legend Paul Molitor signed a 6 year $15.2 million extension with the Twins.

The Twins won the AL West divison on the final game of the season. The Twins won 7 games in a row and ended up winning the division with 98 wins. 

Timothy Clemmons has declined his player option and will elect free agency. He will be by far the most coveted FA of all time. The 6 time MVP is expected to make $4.6 M AAV. 

Timothy Clemmons signs with the San Fransisco Giants for 6 years at a record $4.7 M AAV. The Giants will be the big players in this FA class as they've also signed 3B Wade Boggs to an 8 year $4 M AAV contract. 35 YO Old friend SP Bert Blyleven signed a 3 year $2.2 M AAV contract with the Houston Astros. 35 YO old friend CP Goose Gossage signed a 2 year $575K AAV deal with the Detroit Tigers. 26 YO RF Chili Davis was a player we were in on per Pat Reusse but he signed with the NYM for 3 years $2.75 M AAV. 

The Twins had a solid offseason in free agency - signing SP Dennis Eckersley, RP Dave Righetti, and SP Gary Malinowski to major league contracts. RF Dan Gladden, 2B Vance Law, 2B Wally Backman, and SS David Bertulli signed minor league with ST invites. 

The 1987 HOF Class is 2 first ballot HOFs - SP Fergie Jenkins and LF Willie Stargell.

1987 Season:

Two huge things happened this season... Roger Clemens won a triple crown, and LF Eric Davis is the new single season HR king with 64 HRs. 

 

 

1987 Draft:

1. ATL - CF Ken "The Kid" Griffey Jr. 

2. CLE - 1B Luis "Gonzo" Gonzalez

3. MON - C Dave Nilsson

4. CLE - RF Jim Edmonds

5. CWS - LF Kenny Lofton

6. DET - RF Reggie Sanders

With the 28th overall pick, the Twins selects 3B Ron "Coom Dog" Coooooooooooomer! 

1987 All Stars: SP Floyd Youmans (1x), RP Jim Desaies (1x), RP Dave Righetti (4x), 3B Paul Molitor (3x), RF Kirby Puckett (2x)

Prior to the trade deadline, the Twins acquired 1B Kent Hrbek at a steep price. 1B Pat Tabler, RF Kevin Bass, and RP Bob Knepper who have all contributed to the MLB team successfully have been sent to Cincinatti. 

The HOF class had 2 inductees. SP Tom Seaver and LF Lou Brock who got in after 7 years of voting. 

1988 Season:

1988 Draft:

1. NYY - 1B Frank "Big Hurt" Thomas

2. CLE - RF Brian Giles

3. DET - 3B Jeff Bagwell

4. TEX - C Mike Piazza 

5. KC - 1B John Olerud

6. BAL - 3B Jim Thome

2B Chuck Knoblauch heads to San Francisco 8th overall. Mo Vaughn went 10th to the Dodgers, and Pudge Rodriguez went 15th to the Royals. With the 28th overall pick, the Twins select 2B Mickey Morandini. 

1988 All Stars: SP Bob Welch (4x), RP Dave Smith (1x), SS Tony Fernandez (3x), LF Greg Vaughn (1x), CF Kirby Puckett (3x)

The Twins and Mariners were fighting it out all season long for the AL West title, and the Mariners won it on the final game of the regular season with 95 wins. 

Rickey Henderson goes to the bay area and signs with the Giants for 7 years $3 million AAV. 3B Gary Gaetti signed a 2 year agreement with Pittsburgh. 1B Jack Clark signed a 4 year $3 million AAV contract with the Pirates after spending the last 7 years with the Cardinals. RF Tony Gwynn signs a 6 year $3.6 million AAV contract with the Mets. Old friend Dave Winfield signed a 3 year $3.4 million AAV contract with the Tigers. Dennis Eckersley signs a 1 year $650K contract with Boston after a disappointing season in Minnesota the previous season.

Kirby Puckett signs an MLB record 8 year $5.75 million AAV extension with the Twins! 

The class of 1989 is a lone entrant. C Johnny Bench. 

1989 Season: 

1989 Draft:

1. DET - SS Chipper Jones

2. BAL - 1B Carlos Delgado

3. CHC - SP Pedro Martinez

4. MIL - RF Rusty Greer

5. ATL - CF Carl Everett

With the 26th overall pick, the Twins select RF David Hulse.

36 year old George Brett playing for the reigning champion San Diego Padres accomplished 3,000 hits!

1989 All Stars: SP Floyd Youmans (2x), C Matt Nokes (1x), 2B Paul Molitor (4x), SS Tony Fernandez (4x), LF Howard Elwess (1x), and CF Kirby Puckett (4x)

42 year old Nolan Ryan achieved win #350 in September 1989!

Just wanted to point out the ROY in 1989... 26 year old OF Bo Jackson for Atlanta, and 21 year old NYY 1B Frank Thomas.

The Twins were highlighted in Awards season... Tom Kelly won manager of the year for the 8th time, Floyd Youmans won the AL Cy Young for the 2nd time, and Paul Molitor won the AL MVP for the first time in his career. Meanwhile, old friend Timothy Clemmons won the NL MVP for the 2nd time, making it 7 MVPs he's won. 

33 year old Timothy Clemmons signs a 5 year $5.75 million contract with the Yankees. Old friend SP Bob Welch who has been a part of the rotation the last 5 years signs a 2 year $2 million AAV contract with the Rangers. Lou Whitaker signed a 5 year $3.3 M AAV contract with Texas Rangers. 

The 1990 HOF has 3 inductees! C Ted Simmons is a 1st ballot HOF, SP Sam McDowell was in his 10th year of eligibility, and RF Reggie Jackson made it in his 4th year of eligibility.