Top Twins newcomers for 2022

Gary Sanchez came to the Twins in a flurry of moves once the lockout ended. Other prominent players joining the team this year include:

Twice an All-Star as a young gun for Tampa Bay, Archer has been hampered by injuries since a lopsided trade to Pittsburgh at midseason 2018 (the Rays got Tyler Glasnow, Austin Meadows and Shane Baz in return). It's a low-risk $2.75 million deal for the Twins, who plugged Archer, 33, into the fifth spot in the rotation.

The 29-year-old, signed as a free agent for $4 million, has been an Opening Day starter for the Orioles and the Angels (last season) but had a rough 2021 and ended up in the bullpen. He's a reclamation project for Twins pitching coach Wes Johnson. Bundy was a flamethrower early in his career, but arm problems have turned him into a finesse pitcher.

He really needs no introduction. In seven seasons with the Astros, he made the playoffs six times and got to three World Series. Perhaps the top free agent during the offseason at age 27, he didn't get the long-term deal he wanted and "settled" with the Twins for three years at $35.1 million per season, with opt outs when the seasons end. He was the No. 1 pick in the 2012 MLB draft, one pick ahead of new teammate Byron Buxton.

The Twins moved quickly to fill their No. 1 starter spot by trading 2021 first-round pick Chase Petty to Cincinnati for Gray, 32. He has had an up-and-down career, but he was an All-Star in 2019 for the Reds and has been praised by the Twins for his professionalism and leadership. His strikeout rate has been excellent the past three seasons.

Smith, 38, leads active major league pitchers in appearances (832) and has a career 3.09 ERA. This will be his eighth team since starting with the Mets in 2007, and he has been a successful reliever at every stop. Smith is married to "NBA on TNT" reporter Allie LaForce.

The Twins got out from Josh Donaldson's massive contract in trading the third baseman to the Yankees in a package that yielded Urshela and Gary Sanchez. Urshela could also play shortstop, and had 21 home runs in 2019. He's a 30-year-old from Colombia who has also played for Cleveland and Toronto.