Should Jorge Polanco be the Twins Utility Man?

[Lucas Seehafer PT]

The Minnesota Twins are supposedly in the market for a shortstop, the position that former All-Star Jorge Polanco has occupied for the majority of the previous four seasons and changeIt’s logical to assume that Polanco would become the Twins new utilityman - replacing Marwin Gonzalez and Ehire Adrianza - should the team decide to make a move on a shortstop rather than sign someone in the ilk of Kike Hernandez, who has developed into one of the league’s premier Swiss Army knives.

 

But would that be a decision that ends up being fruitful for winning baseball?

 

When healthy - something he has struggled with since the latter part of the 2019 season, which has resulted in two ankle surgeries - Polanco is an above average offensive shortstop. He’s produced 179 extra base hits across 1,891 career at bats, good for a slugging percentage of .435, which places him 16th among shortstops since he entered the lineup full-time in 2017. Offense is not Polanco’s downfall; his defense, however, is another story.

 

Polanco has completed 1,173 fielding attempts across 496 games in his career, 980 of which came at the shortstop position. His relatively poor arm strength and range have led him to accumulate -26 career outs above average according to Baseball Savant.

 

 

While he has found a greater degree of success at second (+2 OAA; -0.1 UZR) and third (-3 OAA; -1.8 UZR), his overall sample size is too small to even begin to draw conclusions based on data alone. Additionally, he has never appeared at first base or in the outfield. (For reference, Hernandez has appeared at every position except for catcher and pitcher.)

 

Polanco’s defensive skillset and attributes are arguably better suited for second and even third base - less range and arm strength is required for both positions - but his lack of experience in the outfield may be cause for a slight amount of pause. (Admittedly, the presence of the likes of Alex Kiriloff, Brent Rooker, Jake Cave, and LaMonte Wade Jr. - not to mention Trevor Larnach and Royce Lewis who are waiting in the wings - dampens some of the need for Polanco to appear in the outfield.)

 

What it comes down to is this: Would bringing in a shortstop of a greater caliber than Polanco place the Twins in a better position to win more games than bringing in a super utilityman? From a purely statistical standpoint it would be difficult to argue otherwise, even with Polanco’s defensive shortcomings - potential and actualized - across the infield.

 

Semien would be a significant - albeit still below average - upgrade over Polanco defensively while also being a solid upgrade offensively; his OPS is .002 points higher than Polanco’s since 2017 and he has hit 20 more home runs in 41 more games.

 

 

On the other hand, most of Hernandez’s value would come defensively; he’s average to above average at virtually every position, though he is strongest in the outfield according to UZR. Hernandez boasts a career slugging percentage of .425 and 71 home runs in 690 games.

 

But let’s be real, signing either of Semien or Hernandez would provide the Twins with an embarrassment of riches, particularly offensively. The only way the Twins lose in their current situation is if they do not make a move at all, an outcome that is highly unlikely.

 

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[strumdatjaguar]

I’d rather move Polanco to 2B, pick up a one or two year defensive rental at SS (Marcus Semien-type while saving the spot for Royce Lewis), and move Arraez to utility man. Arraez has played some SS in the minors. Polanco could move to SS in a pinch.

[strumdatjaguar]

To be clear. I would like to upgrade SS defense. Semien, Profar and Hernández would do that. However, the Twins claim Royce Lewis looked great in St Paul last year, they should not sign anyone longterm that blocks Lewis.

[stringer bell]

I think Arraez is more stretched at SS than Polanco and is, if not a better offensive player, at least a more vital offensive player. Yes, the Twins used him at short, third and left, but I think Polanco would be better suited to a utility role.

[denarded]

The big problem as stated in article is that Polanco can't be 'Super Utility' he has no outfield value or able to play first (which I know can be handled with other options) The problem is our offensive bench is so few with the profusion of relievers teams carry these days The decision is wether Twins believe the ankle won't be an issue and he bounces back on offense. If his ankle is a better I see him getting to a few more balls at SS and his arm is not terrible to my eye. Save the money and get another #2  ish starter

[Ben Noble]

OP: “For reference, Hernandez has appeared at every position except for catcher and pitcher.“

 

Hernández actually pitched to four batters, recording one out, in one appearance against the Phillies in 2018.

[The Wise One]

2016 was the last time Polanco played something other than SS. Anybody remember moving a player to right field? Polanco is not a good SS. I have been told one issue is his arm strength or accuracy. The only place then would be 2b, not utility. I do not see anything that says why he would be a good utility player. Perhaps it is another try someone in RF move. I would think this FO wouldn't do it with no knowledge of Polanco's capabilities at other positions. 

[The Wise One]

 

OP: “For reference, Hernandez has appeared at every position except for catcher and pitcher.“

Hernández actually pitched to four batters, recording one out, in one appearance against the Phillies in 2018.

Would that be pitching or modified batting practice?

[Doctor Gast]

IMO      Polanco is overstretched at SS, physically & emotionally. More he plays there more his injuries will occur & more pressure he'll play under which  has effected his hitting. We need an upgrade at SS & I agree Polanco shouldn't be delegated as utility. He should be put at 2B which is more natural for him & where he could relax & recuperate. In time he could become a gold glove. Polanco & Arraez could both play there until they're both 100%.

I like some one like Hernandez as an upgrade because he can start at SS & back up Buxton when needed.

[High heat]

I think Polanco as a utiliy guy would be best for him and the team.  2019 offensive surge wasn't real for many players like Polanco because the ball was juiced.  Saying that I don't think he is as bad as he played in 2020.  I think a move to utility and bringing in a SS would be perfect. 

 

Polanco doesn't need to play much if any OF if you don't bring back Cruz and or you bring up Kirloff to begin the season allow Rooker to take the OF at bats. 

[bobs]

Polanco simply doesn't have the arm to play 3B, as a utility or otherwise.  Put me squarely in the camp that has Semien at SS (no need to deal top prospects), Polanco at 2B and Arraez dealt for pitching help.

[yeahyabetcha]

He should either be the everyday SS or not on the roster.

[GNess]

 

Polanco simply doesn't have the arm to play 3B, as a utility or otherwise.  Put me squarely in the camp that has Semien at SS (no need to deal top prospects), Polanco at 2B and Arraez dealt for pitching help.

Arraez can be super utility. He played multiple positions in 2019.

[Danchat]

I don't get why there is a belief that Polanco can play 3B... his arm is already questionable there. He'd be fine at 2B, but Arraez is there and not able to handle any other positions. Find a good backup SS like Adrianza was, and Lewis can be the future at that spot.

[Twinsfan#2]

I believe that Semien has the lowest floor and highest ceiling of the three FA’s available, Semien, Simmons, and Gregorious. Don’t love that.

 

I’d prefer to see the Twins get Simmons (highest floor, lowest ceiling) for a 3-5 year deal. His glove will transition well to UTIL once Royce is starting on the ML club, and his bat is serviceable, a true #7-9 hitter. He is tradeable should the window close early (to the teams that lose out on SS shopping next winter) and would provide middle infield strength for a team with a revolving door there over the past 15 years.

[Twinsfan#2]

Would also like to acknowledge the great point in this article that Polo is best suited for 2B/3B over 1B/OF, but the Twins system riches make that OK. The price of this is an extra bench bar (Wade probably), rather than an extra bullpen pitcher. With St. Paul so close, the Twins absolutely go that route.

[specialiststeve]

 

Polanco simply doesn't have the arm to play 3B, as a utility or otherwise.  Put me squarely in the camp that has Semien at SS (no need to deal top prospects), Polanco at 2B and Arraez dealt for pitching help.

 

Actually you need a stronger arm at SS than you do at 3B so ..... he would be fine there. I do still like the getting a Didi type player for 2 years and as you say seeing if we could package Arraez for pitching. Like him a lot but limited on defense... no power .. no speed... to run production... 

[tony&rodney]

No.

Jorge Polanco is the shortstop.

 

Unless... unless, there is bad news concerning his most recent injury and recovery.

[twinfan]

The Twins need to focus their energies on signing pitching and not on a utility player or new shortstop. If they keep Polanco at short (which I believe they should), then sign Profar as a utility player. If they go out and sign another shortstop, then trade Polanco for some value. I'm not crazy about any of the other choices though I'd take Didi over anyone else. As far as second, leave Arraez alone and hope that he continues to hit.

[Doctor Gast]

Dozier was a struggling SS but was moved to 2B & became a gold glove all star. Polanco's natural position is 2B, he was to take Dozier spot  but after we went through D. Santana, Nunez & Escobar, Polanco was forced to SS. He has problems w/ adapting to the different throwing motion at SS thus suffered throwing errors. Polanco has suffered at SS being overstretched taking a toll on his ankles thus effecting further his fielding & hitting. Last year                      I                                                                   advocated an upgrade at SS because that's not his natural position but I was ridiculed saying Polanco is an all star. 2019 there was talk of him as top candidate for MVP. Longer he played SS further his performance fell. If he is kept at SS, he'll play at a fraction of the potential he has.

If he's kept at 2B he'll be relaxed & healed. He is an all star w/ high hitting &       fielding      ceiling                  at         2B.

[wabene]

Not sure I see how a guy with problem ankles is going to heal them by playing 2nd instead of SS. The point guard has problem ankles we are going to have to move him to wing! Huh?

[tony&rodney]

 

Not sure I see how a guy with problem ankles is going to heal them by playing 2nd instead of SS. The point guard has problem ankles we are going to have to move him to wing! Huh?

 

This is exactly the sticking point for the Twins and Polanco. If his ankles heal completely, a reasonable expectation, then he is their shortstop. If the ankle issues persist, the Twins have their DH for next season.

The Twins also need to be somewhat concerned about Arraez and his knees and they are already looking for ways to reduce Donaldson's calf injuries. 

All three healthy and hitting 1-2-3 in the lineup, the Twins are set. 

Injuries are tough to predict and the consequences can be severe (Mauer, Morneau).

Leg injuries do heal however.

[Finlander]

It'll be easier to shop for pitching, free agents at least, if the infield is improved both defensively and health wise. We had issues at all four IF spots plus CF health last year. Not an attractive sight for pitchers..

[jkcarew]

If the Twins don’t want Polanco to be their every-day SS, then they should be trading Polanco or Lewis (or Arraez). The instant the Twins acquire one of the new SS options flung around in these threads, at least one of those three immediately loses significant value.

[jkcarew]

“Semien would be a significant - albeit still below average - upgrade over Polanco defensively while also being a solid upgrade offensively; his OPS is .002 points higher than Polanco’s since 2017...”

 

Huh? .002 of OPS over 4 seasons is a ‘solid upgrade’ offensively?...and when that advantage was built completely on the back of exactly ONE of those 4 seasons?

 

The advantage of Semien over Polanco is completely on the defensive side of things.