Minnesota Twins: Power hitting options in free agency
20+ Home Run Hitters
Cozart is a solid shortstop, but he’s not your prototypical power hitter. In 2017, he finished with a respectable total of 24 homers, but he only had 58 in his six previous seasons with the Cincinnati Reds. Even so, 40 of his 82 career home runs have come in the last two seasons, so things are trending upward for the 32-year-old.
Related Story: Top 5 closer options for the Minnesota Twins!
Since 2011, Santana hasn’t hit less than 18 home runs, so he’s one of the more consistent power hitting options on the market. In his eighth year with the Cleveland Indians, he hit 23 home runs, but he was even better in 2016 when he belted a career-high 34 dingers. While he’s not likely to be among the league leaders in home runs, he’s definitely capable of hitting the 30-homer mark. Additionally, he’s been a key member on a great Indians team, playing in at least 143 games in each of the last seven seasons.
Since coming to the Toronto Blue Jays in 2008, the 37-year-old has been one of the top power hitters in baseball. For his career, he’s hit 331 home runs, including a 50-homer and two 40-homer seasons. The power numbers have dropped off in the last couple of seasons, but he still produced 22 and 23 homers, respectively. Like Curtis Granderson, he’s past the prime of his career, but should have enough left to provide some pop in a lineup that needs a power hitting designated hitter.
Finally, Moreland has been a consistent 20-home run hitter for the Texas Rangers and Boston Red Sox. In four of the last five years, he’s hit at least 20 home runs with 22 coming in 2017. Not only is he a weapon with the bat, but he’s equally a fantastic first baseman. In 2016, he won the AL Gold Glove and he’s also up for the 2017 AL Gold Glove Award.