8 Baseball Players who Played for Twins and Blue Jays
There is a good chance that if you’ve found this page then you’re playing the Immaculate Grid.
That also means that today’s grid has asked for players that have played for both the Minnesota Twins and Toronto Blue Jays.
And, it also means that you’re probably stuck on this particular box and you’re looking for a little help. Sound about right so far?
Well, good news, you’re in the right place.
I’ve done some research and have found players who played for both the Twins and the Blue Jays.
Dave Winfield
When you have an amazing 22-year career, you usually find your way onto multiple teams over the course of that time.
Dave Winfield played for 6 different teams over the course of his Hall of Fame career – the Yankees, Padres, Twins, Angels (California Angels at the time), Indians (now Guardians) and Blue Jays.
Winfield led the league in RBIs with 118 in 1979 with the Padres (finished 3rd in MVP voting that year). He finished with over 1800 RBIs over his career.
Josh Donaldson
Josh Donaldson is in his 13th season in the majors and is currently playing third base for the Yankees. Prior to landing with the Yankees, Donaldson played for the Blue Jays, A’s, Twins, Guardians and Braves.
Donaldson is a 3x All-Star (A’s, Blue Jays) and a 2x Silver Slugger award winner (Blue Jays). In 2015, Donaldson led the league with 123 RBIs while hitting 41 home runs en route to winning the AL MVP with the Blue Jays.
Frank Viola
Frank Viola, also known by his nickname “Sweet Music”, had a 15-year career in Major League Baseball, primarily as a starting pitcher. He began his career with the Minnesota Twins in 1982, and played with them until 1989. He then played for the Mets, Red Sox, Reds, and Blue Jays.
During his career, Viola recorded a win-loss record of 176-150, an earned run average (ERA) of 3.73, and struck out 1844 batters.
One of the highlights of his career came in 1987 when he led the Twins to a World Series victory and was named the World Series Most Valuable Player (MVP). He also won the Cy Young Award in 1988.
Viola Key Stats
- Cy Young (Twins)
- All-Star (Twins, Mets)
- 20+ Win Season (Twins, Mets)
Francisco Liriano
Francisco Liriano began his MLB journey with the Minnesota Twins in 2005, quickly making an impression as one of the league’s promising young pitchers. In 2006, his breakout season, he was named an All-Star, and while his year was cut short due to Tommy John surgery, his performance left a lasting impression.
Over the years, Liriano played for various teams, including the White Sox, Pirates, Blue Jays, Astros, and Tigers. One of his career highlights came with the Pirates, where he won the 2013 National League Comeback Player of the Year after an impressive season on the mound.
Throughout his career, Liriano was known for his devastating slider and ability to generate strikeouts. His journey in the MLB was characterized by moments of sheer dominance, resilience in the face of injuries, and adaptability as he transitioned roles, even serving as a relief pitcher later in his career.
Loriano Key Stats
- All-Star (Twins)
- World Series Champ (Astros)
- 200+ Strikeout Season (Twins, Pirates)
Paul Molitor
Paul Molitor, who played from 1978 to 1998, spent 15 seasons with the Brewers and 3 each with the Blue Jays and Twins. Molitor was an extraordinary hitter, racking up over 3,300 hits, 234 home runs, and 4 individual seasons with over 200 hits (Brewers 2, Blue Jays 1, Twins 1).
He was a seven-time All-Star (Brewers, Blue Jays) and the World Series MVP in 1993, when he helped lead the Blue Jays to their second consecutive championship.
Known for his versatility on the field and his exceptional hitting ability, Molitor’s stellar career earned him a spot in the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2004.
Orlando Hudson
Orlando Hudson, an infielder known for his exceptional defense at second base, played in Major League Baseball from 2002 to 2012. He showcased his skills with several teams, including the Toronto Blue Jays, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Los Angeles Dodgers.
Hudson was a two-time All-Star (Diamondbacks, Dodgers) and four-time Gold Glove Award winner (Blue Jays, Diamondbacks, Dodgers), demonstrating his outstanding fielding abilities. With a career batting average of .273 and over 1300 hits, he was also a very capable hitter.
Otis Nixon
Otis Nixon was a speedy outfielder whose career went from 1983 to 1999. Over those 17 seasons, Nixon played for 9 different teams – Braves, Indians (now Guardians), Montreal Expos, Blue Jays, Twins, Red Sox, Rangers, Dodgers and Yankees.
Nixon wasn’t a big hitter, but he was a whiz on the basepaths, stealing over 620 bases during his career and maintaining a respectable .270 batting average. He’s best remembered for his daring steals and spectacular catches, including an unforgettable game-saving grab in 1992 while with the Braves (video above).
LaTroy Hawkins
LaTroy Hawkins had a lengthy career in Major League Baseball as a reliable relief pitcher. Over his 21-year career from 1995 to 2015, he played for 11 different teams, including the Minnesota Twins, Chicago Cubs, and Colorado Rockies.
Throughout his career, Hawkins made 1042 appearances, mostly from the bullpen, and recorded 127 saves. He accumulated a win-loss record of 75-94 with a respectable ERA of 4.31, and struck out 983 batters.
Even though he was never named an All-Star, his consistent performance and durability in a high-pressure role were valued highly by the teams he played for.
