Jorge Polanco trade befitted his time in the organization

 I should have seen it coming. We were on vacation, in a hotel, the night before a cruise, and one of my kids woke up sick. By the time we were getting on the boat, he had been medically cleared to board but was still very tired, and immediately after getting into the ship, the other kid got sick. Not 4 hours later, I was sick, just as we were leaving the global cellular network. 

I should have known THAT was when the Twins would make their big offseason move, when I was desperate for something to read, had a news story I'd been waiting for, and absolutely no internet connection. But I got the headlines, and I got the gist. Jorge Polanco was traded to Seattle for a 4 player (and cash) package. 

The deal included a top 100 prospect in Gabriel Gonzalez, a swingman veteran in Anthony DeSclafani, a top end reliever (for 3 years!) in Justin Topa and a guy named Darren. Considering the rumor mongers I have read considering a trade for Polanco being based around Topa alone, getting him as a part of a much larger package seemed like a huge win. 

Of course, the first new article I saw when I regained health, finished the cruise and stepped ashore was disappointment that the Twins didn't yet, nor did they seem likely to get, an ace. *sigh* All right. The Arraez-Lopez deal saw a much more valuable asset -- something the Twins didn't have this offseason, so Polanco was NEVER going to bring back a top arm. 

But he did bring back a top prospect, a late inning reliever, a long reliever/5th starter and Darren. There were fewer aces available, limited resources and the Twins, according to Baseball Trade Values, absolutely fleeced the Mariners, so it is all a matter of perspective. It can be a great move, but also not the singular avenue to solve a problem. or the intended means in which to solve said problem. 

Trading Polanco did solve some other problems as well. It clarified some of the positional logjam in the middle infield for the next two years. It strengthened the bullpen with a strong late inning arm in Topa or an inning eater in DeSclafani. It added prospect depth, with a right handed outfielder, which the Twins are short on. This could also be depth for a trade if the Twins are in contention, which they should be. There are other small gaps on the roster, including depth at first base, and oh look at that, the cash that was sent by the Mariners was used to sign Carlos Santana.

Jorge Polanco has been a steady, talented presence on the Twins roster. He's been the longest tenured player in the organization who made more under the radar contributions to the team than splashy highlights. His final contribution to the Twins mirrored his time in the organization, solving a lot of little problems, and not being appreciated for the value it brings. 

It makes the most sense to trade Jorge Polanco

Let me be clear, when I am a fan of a team, I become a fan of the players. Even when they struggle, as long as they seem to have a good attitude, or are otherwise unproblematic in the clubhouse, I just want them to be successful. I don't get mad at players who aren't playing well, I just hope they can do their best. Ultimately though, I understand that baseball is a business, and there is a combination of factors in all decisions, notably cost efficiency and winning games. This is all to say that I have grown attached to Jorge Polanco and wish he could stay in Minnesota forever, but that is neither cost efficient, nor is that the best way to win games.

Polanco will be making $10m on his option this year, and the Twins are in the market to see their salary reduced. Position players are at a premium on the free agent market this year, so there should be takers for Polanco, even at that salary. 

All right, admittedly, his salary isn't outrageous, however with the emergence of Edouard Julien, the near arrival of Austin Martin and the current presence of Kyle Farmer and Nick Gordon, it will be easy to replace Polanco at a reduced salary. 

Instead of keeping a glut of middle infielders, the Twins can also reallocate the resources they do have and replace some of the depth in the rotation by moving Polanco. Not only will the step back by losing Polanco be marginal, the return could help bolster what was a strength in 2023, but is losing some pieces this offseason. 

For no other reason than the Google algorithm has been sending me a headline about how the Red Sox might be interested in Polanco, I pieced something together that might satisfy those needs, but also give some perspective on what a realistic trade might look like between the clubs. 

First, I entertained the thought of a trade for Alex Verdugo, who is rumored to be available, but with Max Kepler already in the "Left handed corner outfielder in a contract year" position, it didn't seem like Verdugo fit any of the Twins' needs. Instead, I found a starting pitcher whose "Trade Value" according to the site Baseball Trade Values seemed easy to make work with Polanco's.

Nick Pivetta is also in his walk year, and has pitched in the Red Sox Bullpen to some success. He's not a front line starter, but would be expected to backfill the expected loss of Kenta Maeda. Perhaps appealing to the Twins, Pivetta has seen his success increase as he has used his slider more frequently. 

While this is a move that does make sense, I can't in good faith imagine that a team would be willing to trade one year of a pitcher for one year of a second baseman, even if you did throw in a prospect like catcher Noah Cardenas. Maybe the Twins would be interested in Pivetta. Maybe the Red Sox would be interested in Polanco. I can't see them being traded for each other, but it gives you an idea what a market for Polanco could look like.

Jorge Polanco probably won't end up a Twin next season, which stinks and makes sense at the same time. Fortunately, there are going to be options for trading Polanco that will result in the Twins getting better.