FanSided's 'one-season wonder' list shows Twins had 2 players at the wrong time

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FanSided's 'one-season wonder' list shows Twins had 2 players at the wrong time

R.A. Dickey and shortstop Troy Tulowitzki and first baseman Chris Colabello — Oct 20, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher R.A. Dickey (43) and shortstop Troy Tulowitzki (middle) and first baseman Chris Colabello (15) react during the second inning against the Kansas City Royals in game four of the ALCS at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Jackson Kruse · Puckett's Pond

Tue, Aug 25, 2026 ·

4 min read

1B/OF Chris Colabello had unexpectedly strong season with Blue Jays after leaving the Twins

After years of independent ball, Colabello made his MLB debut with the Twins at age 29 in 2013. He didn't perform well with Minnesota, slashing .214/.284/.364 with 13 home runs and 56 RBI across 114 games between the 2013 and 2014 seasons.

The Blue Jays claimed Colabello off waivers in the 2014-15 offseason. Toronto designated him for assignment before the 2015 season. The Blue Jays outrighted Colabello to Triple-A Buffalo after he cleared waivers.

The Blue Jays selected Colabello's contract in early May. Surprisingly, he ended up being one of the team's best hitters en route to an ALCS berth. As a key hitter in a lineup that had stars such as Josh Donaldson , Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion , Colabello slashed .321/.367/.520 (138 OPS+) with 15 home runs and 54 RBI over 101 games. In 10 postseason games in 2015, Colabello went 11-for-39 with two home runs, three doubles, two walks and three RBI.

Colabello was suspended for PEDs early in the 2016 season , which may be why he suddenly broke out in 2015. He appeared in 10 games with the Blue Jays in 2016 and hasn't played in a big-league game since.

RHP R.A. Dickey emerged as one of the best SPs in baseball after leaving the Twins

After many years of being a below-average pitcher, Dickey signed a minor-league deal with the Twins for the 2009 season at age 34. He posted a 4.62 ERA in 64 1/3 innings across 35 outings (one start) with Minnesota before being designated for assignment on Aug. 29, 2009.

Dickey cleared waivers and was assigned to Triple-A Rochester. He elected free agency after the 2009 season and agreed to a minor-league deal with the New York Mets .

Dickey immediately became a star with the Mets. As a knuckleballer, Dickey posted a 2.84 ERA with 104 strikeouts in 174 1/3 innings across 27 outings (26 starts) in 2010. He had a strong 2011 season as well, recording a 3.28 ERA with 134 strikeouts in 208 1/3 innings over 27 appearances (26 starts).

Dickey had an outstanding 2012 season, posting a 2.73 ERA with an MLB-best 230 strikeouts in 233 2/3 innings across 34 outings (33 starts) en route to winning the National League Cy Young Award .

The Mets capitalized on Dickey's value by trading him to the Toronto Blue Jays for then-top prospects Noah Syndergaard and Travis d'Arnaud after the 2015 season. Dickey was decent with Toronto but nowhere near as good as he was with New York, recording a 4.05 ERA in 824 1/3 innings across four seasons. He finished his career by posting a 4.26 ERA in 190 innings across 31 starts with the Atlanta Braves in 2017.

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