Minnesota Twins' Josh Willingham Wins Silver Slugger Award

WARNING: Good news will follow for Minnesota Twins fans. Most Twins fans are not accustomed to this during the past two years, so be prepared for a small taste of happiness.

It’s award season in Major League Baseball and a member of the Twins was recognized. The Twins left fielder Josh Willingham has won a Silver Slugger Award, the first one he has won in his nine-year career (h/t MLB.com)

Willingham was one of the few highlights for the Twins this year and his hard work paid off. On his way to this Silver Slugger Award, Josh Willingham put up this stat line: .260 AVG, .890 OPS, 135 H, 35 HR, 110 RBI.

Josh Willingham is racking up the hardware this offseason. Just last week he was named the Minnesota Twins' Most Valuable Player and for that he will receive the Calvin R. Griffith Award during the Twins Diamond Awards ceremony in January.

Willingham was crucial to the little success the Twins had in his first season with the club, but that is quite the double-edged sword. There has been speculation about teams being interested in the 33-year-old’s services.

Before the 2012 season, Willingham signed a three-year deal with $21 million, so he is under contract with the Twins through 2014. If he or any other Twin is moved, it will probably be relatively soon with the general manager meetings this week and the Winter Meetings less than a month away (December 3-6).

So here’s to Josh Willingham, one of the few bright spots in a season that was full of darkness for the Twins.