Twins Should Hang Onto Jorge Polanco, at Least for Now

[Rod Carews Birthday]

If not now, when? 

I'm a big Polanco fan.  I think he is quietly underrated.  However, he Julien has essentially taken over second base with more help on the way in Lee (and if necessary Martin/Castro/Farmer).  Second base is probably the single deepest position on the team, so the time to trade that value is now, not during late spring training when everyone can see that Polanco no longer really has a spot in the lineup and his trade value tanks. 

There is certainly concern about Julien hitting lefties.  Now is the time to find that out, AND you still have Farmer around to mitigate that risk if it doesn't work out.  If I remember correctly, people declared him a butcher in the field early last season, and by the time the end of the season came around, he had better defensive numbers than Polanco.  From everything I've read and seen, he appears to be a smart guy and an excellent athlete with a great work ethic.  He'll figure out lefties. 

If the outfield depth were there, I would rather trade Kepler, but it's not.  Too much upheaval there.  Trade Polanco now, while he still has good value. 

[tony&rodney]

Nash Walker has written the best post on Jorge Polanco to date. 

Polanco is on the team, thus it isn't a question of adding his salary. His value to the team is beyond his trade value for gathering a #2 starting pitcher. Freeing up money will not bring in a starting pitcher.  In other words, just what Nash says - he stays for now.

The long, much discussed search for a trade to bring in an inexpensive, controllable excellent starting pitcher hardly includes Jorge Polanco. If the Twins want to complete another huge trade the main name coming from Dipoto is going to be Royce Lewis. Polanco could possibly be an extra piece in a large trade but it does appear that the Twins are going to be better off, roster wise,  by not making any trades at this time.

[Minny505]

If FO comes down to retaining Polanco OR bringing in a SP like Montgomery, Stroman, Clevinger, or even Paxton or Ryu, I pull the trigger. Ditto if it's a trade for a SP (indirectly).

There is no reason to trade him to make room in the infield though. He looks like the primary DH right now, allowing the equal-level-fielding Julien to platoon with the superior fielding Farmer at 2B. 

But I would like them to trade him if the money saved from his salary is reinvested in the pitching staff. 

[HoskenPowell]

I'd trade Polanco for a package of young power arms.  Period.   The Twins need to dump salary because of the terrible tv deal.

His salary gone , just as they say they need to do.   Take 2/3 lottery arms and hope one works out in a year or two.  They have Julien/Farmer/Gordon and Lewis to get bye with.

As often as first/second round picks fail for the Twins its no big deal if the arms don't pan out.  REality is most young arms DONT pan out.

They have plenty of IF players.............load up some more arms with the surplus and hope to hit gold.

[jorgenswest]

The risk in Polanco or Farmer is that they will decline in performance due to age or injury and the Twins will not be willing to cut loose their salary.

Farmer is a risk for decline. His numbers look good last year they almost look like he improved over his previous year. It is the illusion of his use. In 2022 he was a regular and he faced a greater ratio of right handed pitching. In 2023 when the ratio shifted it appeared he improved when in reality the numbers had an increased ratio of at bats against lefties as compared to 2022. Last year his OPS+ against right handed pitching actually dropped from 92 to 87. I suppose that level would be OK if he were a plus defensively at SS but his DRS, RAA and UZR all are on the wrong side of zero over the last two years. There really isn’t space for more decline from his role of short side platoon utility player. He turns 34 in August and decline should be expected.

Polanco is a risk for injury. They do have some depth so if they handle the injury by putting him on IL. They also might handle it by having him work through the injury on the roster. I think the bigger risk with injury is not the lost playing time but the poor play while working through the injury on the roster.

If the Twins don’t trade either I would expect both to be on the roster all year no matter how they perform. The Twins will not let go of either salary quickly. If Farmer declines while Martin or Lee are showing readiness in AAA, I will be joining @Riverbrian in his recalling of Logan Morrison and the Twins unwillingness to cut him loose and provide an opportunity for younger players.

[Jeff K]

2 hours ago, JD-TWINS said:

Mitigating risk into having zero leverage in trade discussions is what happens if the club waits until deep into Spring Training to try and offer him up to the rest of baseball.

180 starts out of a possible 324 games over past 2 years………55% of the time. Career .270 hitter……hit .235 & .255 respectively over past 2 years. His skills and availability are diminishing - if he has a year or three left, the Tram needs to move on by coupling him with a couple other pieces in a trade for pitching value OR move his salary for prospects and use his salary $$ to apply to pitching help.

Julien - Farmer are both healthy AND better defensively at this point on defense. Perfect platoon at the plate. There is no NEED for Polanco on this 26 man roster.

I fully agree.  Polanco has been a great Twin.  But it is a professional sports team which means business.  Polanco's defensive skills and ability to stay on the field have diminished.  He should be traded, while he still has value, as part of a package to bring in a starter.

[chpettit19]

1 hour ago, JD-TWINS said:

Polanco CANNOT play SS!

Polanco is a definite downgrade at 3B v. Farmer.

Polanco graded below Julien & Farmer at 2B in ‘23.

Polanco has started 55% of the time over past 2 seasons. (as a clear starter)

Polanco is a career .270 BA hitter, & has hit .235 & .255 the past two years……… productivity & availability are both sinking dramatically.

Polanco’s career numbers don’t matter in sports/baseball where “what have you done lately & what are you anticipated to do going forward” are the driving force in decisions.

Buxton has DH clogged - there is no scenario where he suddenly plays 60-80 games in CF. There’s nowhere to put Julien’s bat……he’s Top 10 OBP in League, he’s getting AB’s!

With Polanco’s fragile health over the past 2 years, he could make $3M per year & still not be carried on this 26 man roster.

Why are you only using BA? He OPSed .789 last year. That's a 115 OPS+. He had a 115 OPS+ in 2022 as well. 125 in 2021. Acting like he's falling off some offensive cliff is ignoring a lot. His bat is still legit. The only concern with Jorge is the health of his legs. Jorge Polanco is still one of the 5 or 6 best hitters on the Twins 40-man roster.

[Riverbrian]

2 hours ago, JD-TWINS said:

Polanco CANNOT play SS!

Polanco is a definite downgrade at 3B v. Farmer.

Polanco graded below Julien & Farmer at 2B in ‘23.

Polanco has started 55% of the time over past 2 seasons. (as a clear starter)

Polanco is a career .270 BA hitter, & has hit .235 & .255 the past two years……… productivity & availability are both sinking dramatically.

Polanco’s career numbers don’t matter in sports/baseball where “what have you done lately & what are you anticipated to do going forward” are the driving force in decisions.

Buxton has DH clogged - there is no scenario where he suddenly plays 60-80 games in CF. There’s nowhere to put Julien’s bat……he’s Top 10 OBP in League, he’s getting AB’s!

With Polanco’s fragile health over the past 2 years, he could make $3M per year & still not be carried on this 26 man roster.

He's done plenty for us lately. 115 OPS+ two years running is not a free fall. 

I have no problem with Polanco defensively. He has more versatility than Julien does since it was Polanco who was chosen to play 3B IN THE PLAYOFFS when Lewis was hurt. Polanco was chosen over Farmer BTW,   

Buxton has DH clogged?  Buxton hasn't been healthy enough to clog anything. 

Buxton, Lewis, Kirilloff and Polanco have all had injury issues. We don't know who else will be injured in 2024 beyond those 4 but I'm willing to take the field and assume someone will be. 

If Julien can play... they will find a place for him to play.  

We were fairly healthy last year overall and we still had to move bodies around to cover. 

[chpettit19]

Jorge Polanco hit in the 2 hole for the Twins in the playoffs last year. Were all you people up in arms about them wasting that lineup spot on a clearly diminished Polanco? I don't remember seeing a lot of complaints about him not being worthy of the 2 hole then. But now the Twins have no use for him?

My guess would be most of these feelings are based around an idealized world of opening day starting lineup spots and projecting them through the entire season. 1. I'd argue Polanco is likely hitting in the 2 hole for this team if opening day were tomorrow. 2. There's going to be injuries to a bunch of guys on the roster and plenty of ABs to go around. Donovan Solano stepped to the plate 450 times for the Twins last year. Do a lot of people expect him back in 2024 or are those PAs going to have to go elsewhere? Would people really prefer Farmer taking on most of those PAs over Polanco? There's no way the Twins go into 2024 expecting Buxton to be the everyday DH. That'd be a horrible plan. I'd bet Jorge Polanco is currently the opening day DH hitting in the 2 hole. And if Kirilloff's shoulder isn't 100% he's the opening day 1B or 2B. Polanco hasn't been pushed out of the lineup yet.

[mnfireman]

1 hour ago, JD-TWINS said:

Polanco CANNOT play SS!

Polanco is a definite downgrade at 3B v. Farmer.

Polanco graded below Julien & Farmer at 2B in ‘23.

Polanco has started 55% of the time over past 2 seasons. (as a clear starter)

Polanco is a career .270 BA hitter, & has hit .235 & .255 the past two years……… productivity & availability are both sinking dramatically.

Polanco’s career numbers don’t matter in sports/baseball where “what have you done lately & what are you anticipated to do going forward” are the driving force in decisions.

Buxton has DH clogged - there is no scenario where he suddenly plays 60-80 games in CF. There’s nowhere to put Julien’s bat……he’s Top 10 OBP in League, he’s getting AB’s!

With Polanco’s fragile health over the past 2 years, he could make $3M per year & still not be carried on this 26 man roster.

Using 400 PA's to get Julien "Top 10" in the league for OBP, Solano also makes "Top 10"

From Aug 1 to the end of the season (SSS), "what have you done for me lately";

Julien - .223/.376/.369  (.745 OPS) 6 HR 19 RBI 39/63 K/BB ratio

Polanco - .265/.366/.471  (.837 OPS) 9 HR 29 RBI 28/56 K/BB ratio

Julien had the stronger overall Postseason, but that is also a SSS. 

As for defense, Polanco had the better Defensive Runs Saved, Julien showed better OAA and RAA numbers, but neither one of the graded out well on defense.

The Twins took a reactive approach towards Polanco's injuries last off-season, allowing him to rehab and rest instead of surgery, and bad ankles and knees don't bode very well for a MLB infielder because of the quick, lateral movements required. But he looked healthy and played well when the team needed him down the stretch. 

If you don't think Polanco deserves a spot on this team, I think you are very wrong. I also think Polanco brings back a good return in a trade, but I think Julien brings back a better return. If either of them is traded, I think it should be this off-season while both still have good value.

[Riverbrian]

1 hour ago, pierre75275 said:

That's a good point but I don't think the team can only consider offense. Farmer can also play SS and 3B, Polanco can't, and Farmer's defense is also better at second (if you want to, provide stats to prove me wrong, I'll tip my hat to you). 

Also, I feel like Polanco needs to play every day to be effective, and Farmer less so.

I won't quote defensive stats. The sample sizes are misleading.  

The Twins won 101 games with Polanco as the full time SS in 2019. I understand that they moved him to 2B in order to find a better defensive SS but the Twins won 101 games with Polanco at SS. 

He can play SS... there is a difference between not as good and can't. 

[Mike Sixel]

I'm really unsure what I'd do here. On the one hand, polanco is still a real hitter and can play second and third. He's really a good hitter.

On the other hand, this is exactly the kind of guy you trade to build a deep team for the long run. There are others that play his positions, and he's on an expiring deal. The exact guy Tampa turns into other assets every year. 

I lean, slightly, to trading him for prospects. But if they keep him, I'll not be even a little unhappy. The rare time I'm not sure there is a bad decision. 

[tony&rodney]

11 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

Jorge Polanco hit in the 2 hole for the Twins in the playoffs last year. Were all you people up in arms about them wasting that lineup spot on a clearly diminished Polanco? I don't remember seeing a lot of complaints about him not being worthy of the 2 hole then. But now the Twins have no use for him?

My guess would be most of these feelings are based around an idealized world of opening day starting lineup spots and projecting them through the entire season. 1. I'd argue Polanco is likely hitting in the 2 hole for this team if opening day were tomorrow. 2. There's going to be injuries to a bunch of guys on the roster and plenty of ABs to go around. Donovan Solano stepped to the plate 450 times for the Twins last year. Do a lot of people expect him back in 2024 or are those PAs going to have to go elsewhere? Would people really prefer Farmer taking on most of those PAs over Polanco? There's no way the Twins go into 2024 expecting Buxton to be the everyday DH. That'd be a horrible plan. I'd bet Jorge Polanco is currently the opening day DH hitting in the 2 hole. And if Kirilloff's shoulder isn't 100% he's the opening day 1B or 2B. Polanco hasn't been pushed out of the lineup yet.

This is right on. When you think of who will be more healthy this coming season, do not place any bets. 

Sometimes it seems like a number of people look too far ahead and get involved in fantasy type baseball. The at bats that were taken by Gallo and Solano at DH and as infielders will need to be apportioned. 

[miller761]

I am sure teams are low balling the Twins with their offers. Waiting is the smart thing to do. Teams that have offensive needs might be more inclined to deal as we get closer to spring training. With his history the last 2 years let him and Buxton share the DH duties. If that is the case Buxton will get most of those AB's but Polanco can take a turn at 2b and 3b once a week also. I understand his defense has declined but once a week at a position will not hurt the team. Depth is important and especially the way Rocco manages Polanco will get plenty of AB's and be productive. As we saw last year it takes a lot more than 26 players to successfully survive an MLB season.

[JD-TWINS]

48 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

Why are you only using BA? He OPSed .789 last year. That's a 115 OPS+. He had a 115 OPS+ in 2022 as well. 125 in 2021. Acting like he's falling off some offensive cliff is ignoring a lot. His bat is still legit. The only concern with Jorge is the health of his legs. Jorge Polanco is still one of the 5 or 6 best hitters on the Twins 40-man roster.

“The only concern with Jorge is the health of his legs.” ………I see that as a really high concern!! I sited defensive stats, availability, & offensive decline as the reasons he doesn’t fit. There’s no specific ONLY to BA.

The game isn’t played in the batting cage.

I agree he has better pop than most - his switch hitting is attractive - great clubhouse presence with continuity on the Club…….all very nice pluses. If you can’t suit up or if you’re at 85% or if you have to ride the bench behind an ascending Julien & the DH clog, Buxton, you bring little value!

His OPS+ from the IL doesn’t contribute a thing. That’s my point.

Ignoring he’s started 55% of games the past two years and siting stats from 2021 and rolling that into the future is burying one’s head.

I could do the same with “historical” Buxton. Everyone here would chuckle.

[JD-TWINS]

21 minutes ago, miller761 said:

I am sure teams are low balling the Twins with their offers. Waiting is the smart thing to do. Teams that have offensive needs might be more inclined to deal as we get closer to spring training. With his history the last 2 years let him and Buxton share the DH duties. If that is the case Buxton will get most of those AB's but Polanco can take a turn at 2b and 3b once a week also. I understand his defense has declined but once a week at a position will not hurt the team. Depth is important and especially the way Rocco manages Polanco will get plenty of AB's and be productive. As we saw last year it takes a lot more than 26 players to successfully survive an MLB season.

Lewis/Farmer - CC/Farmer - Julien/Farmer - Kirilloff/Miranda (or somebody RH & competent) & the 2 catchers = 8 guys.

Wallner - Castro - Kepler - Buxton (Larnach - Gordon - Martin - Acquisition?) …….5 guys for OF & DH.

Get to roster 13 guys……..

There’s no room on the roster for Polanco IMO. Who goes, realistically???

[chpettit19]

2 minutes ago, JD-TWINS said:

“The only concern with Jorge is the health of his legs.” ………I see that as a really high concern!! I sited defensive stats, availability, & offensive decline as the reasons he doesn’t fit. There’s no specific ONLY to BA.

The game isn’t played in the batting cage.

I agree he has better pop than most - his switch hitting is attractive - great clubhouse presence with continuity on the Club…….all very nice pluses. If you can’t suit up or if you’re at 85% or if you have to ride the bench behind an ascending Julien & the DH clog, Buxton, you bring little value!

His OPS+ from the IL doesn’t contribute a thing. That’s my point.

Ignoring he’s started 55% of games the past two years and siting stats from 2021 and rolling that into the future is burying one’s head.

I could do the same with “historical” Buxton. Everyone here would chuckle.

You've been trying to show his offense is in severe decline by only using BA. That simply isn't true. He's still one of the best hitters on the team.

Yes, his health concerns are very real and are a problem. But so are Buxton's. And Kirilloff's. And Lewis'. Should we also trade all of them? Lewis has played WAY less than 55% of games the past 3 years. Same with Kirilloff. Why should we believe either of them are going to be healthy enough to not open either 3B or 1B for a long stretch of the 2024 season? Since they've literally never played anywhere near a full, healthy MLB season. Do you really prefer Kyle Farmer as the lineup replacement for Kirilloff over Polanco?

I sited stats from the last 3 years. Including last year where his OPS+ was 115, but you were trying to sell him as some offensive negative by only showing his BA. I think that's far more "burying one's head" than pointing out that he's been a really good hitter this entire time.

[DJL44]

38 minutes ago, miller761 said:

I am sure teams are low balling the Twins with their offers. Waiting is the smart thing to do. Teams that have offensive needs might be more inclined to deal as we get closer to spring training. With his history the last 2 years let him and Buxton share the DH duties. If that is the case Buxton will get most of those AB's but Polanco can take a turn at 2b and 3b once a week also. I understand his defense has declined but once a week at a position will not hurt the team. Depth is important and especially the way Rocco manages Polanco will get plenty of AB's and be productive. As we saw last year it takes a lot more than 26 players to successfully survive an MLB season.

You can get a free agent DH bat about as good as Polanco for less than $10.5M. He has value because he can play 2B. If they're only going to use him as a DH they need to trade him.

Quote

it was Polanco who was chosen to play 3B IN THE PLAYOFFS when Lewis was hurt - Riverbrian

Out of desperation and he was really bad.

[rv78]

2 hours ago, Rod Carews Birthday said:

If not now, when? 

I'm a big Polanco fan.  I think he is quietly underrated.  However, he Julien has essentially taken over second base with more help on the way in Lee (and if necessary Martin/Castro/Farmer).  Second base is probably the single deepest position on the team, so the time to trade that value is now, not during late spring training when everyone can see that Polanco no longer really has a spot in the lineup and his trade value tanks. 

There is certainly concern about Julien hitting lefties.  Now is the time to find that out, AND you still have Farmer around to mitigate that risk if it doesn't work out.  If I remember correctly, people declared him a butcher in the field early last season, and by the time the end of the season came around, he had better defensive numbers than Polanco.  From everything I've read and seen, he appears to be a smart guy and an excellent athlete with a great work ethic.  He'll figure out lefties. 

If the outfield depth were there, I would rather trade Kepler, but it's not.  Too much upheaval there.  Trade Polanco now, while he still has good value. 

Timewise it doesn't matter with Polanco. Other teams already know the Twins have good depth at 2nd base. His value isn't any more now than it will be late spring training. The only way his value goes up is if 2 or more clubs get into a bidding war for him, and waiting for that to happen is the only chance you have of getting his true value in return. 

[rv78]

2 hours ago, tony&rodney said:

Nash Walker has written the best post on Jorge Polanco to date. 

Polanco is on the team, thus it isn't a question of adding his salary. His value to the team is beyond his trade value for gathering a #2 starting pitcher. Freeing up money will not bring in a starting pitcher.  In other words, just what Nash says - he stays for now.

The long, much discussed search for a trade to bring in an inexpensive, controllable excellent starting pitcher hardly includes Jorge Polanco. If the Twins want to complete another huge trade the main name coming from Dipoto is going to be Royce Lewis. Polanco could possibly be an extra piece in a large trade but it does appear that the Twins are going to be better off, roster wise,  by not making any trades at this time.

The ONLY reason why freeing up money won't bring in a #2 starter is the Front Office's decision NOT to SPEND it on a #2 Free Agent starter. With both Polanco and Kepler being traded for prospects, promoting Martin and allocating 2B to Julien and Farmer, RF and LF to Wallner, Castro, Martin and possibly one of the prospects you just traded them for, you free up $20.5M for that starter. The problem child in all of the roster constraints is Buxton by his inability to be the CFer he was paid to be.

[Blyleven2011]

5 hours ago, DJL44 said:

Julien has been with the team for a full season 

 I didn't say anything  about Julien  ...

I like Polanco's bat and he produces when healthy and a switchhitter is an asset ...

We need hitters and I like his bat in the lineup , maybe he doesn't belong at the top of the order anymore  ...

There are others that could be traded and replaced ( ??? )  and Polanco was an allstar as a shortstop  ( granted his hitting got him the allstar selection ) ...

We got better in the second half , why ? , when Polanco and Lewis came back from injury , the team started playing better baseball ( Kepler , solano , Jeffers and others helped )  and they produced runs ...

1 year of baseball from wallner and Julien isnt going to tell me much about what kind of career they might be ( Julien was more impressive  but had some minny slumps and slumped towards the end , Julien has promise as he improved on his defense )  ....

Lewis is another story if he can stay healthy , 5 tool player , Arraez also was also an exception in my evaluation , by August 2019 in his first year that he was a major leaguer  , I didn't need 3 years to evaluate him , maybe not a 5 tool player but he could and does hit ...

We need hitters and pitchers too , with experience doesn't hurt ...

San Francisco needs a shortstop  , trade farmer , we are out of the  Seattle sweepstakes as they traded Ray to the giants  , Seattle isn't going to trade anymore of their starters ...

Miami is a possibility in acquiring pitching but other teams are looking for pitching to ...

[Blyleven2011]

3 hours ago, HoskenPowell said:

I'd trade Polanco for a package of young power arms.  Period.   The Twins need to dump salary because of the terrible tv deal.

His salary gone , just as they say they need to do.   Take 2/3 lottery arms and hope one works out in a year or two.  They have Julien/Farmer/Gordon and Lewis to get bye with.

As often as first/second round picks fail for the Twins its no big deal if the arms don't pan out.  REality is most young arms DONT pan out.

They have plenty of IF players.............load up some more arms with the surplus and hope to hit gold.

No way are we going to get near ready top prospect pitching  , maybe some power arms drafted  late rounds , maybe 2 prospects , but not 3 ...

Stop panning in mud , your looking for gold in the wrong places ...

[twinfan]

Anything can happen with youngsters and, while I have never been that high on Lewis, he looks like the real deal IF he stays healthy. I would not trade Polanco in the off-season this year. I think he is one of the 3 most valuable players we have. Again, health is a factor and he isn't getting any younger. I'm more concerned with our starting rotation as Paddack and Varland are BIG question marks (IMHO) and management has done nothing to improve the situation. I see where Odorizzi is a free agent. Is he healthy? Will he come cheap? Is he worth a flier? Is management considering Montgomery or anyone else? I thought after the new year (Happy New Year by the way), we'd sign some help. Where is it?

[mnfireman]

Odorizzi had shoulder surgery before last season and did not pitch last year. 

[Fatbat]

8 hours ago, Major League Ready said:

If Polanco was not on the team, do you think they would allocate $10M toward a player like him or would that money more likely be spent on pitching?  

Gallo got $11M last year to be productive for 5 weeks. 

[gman]

I think whoever starts the year at second base this year is just a place holder. Of course should does not mean will, but Lee should be ready by sometime in June to take over at second or third. Julian provides more flexibility in the infield then Polanco will this year and next. Part of Polanco's value comes in holding down a position that no one else can fill, but as several others have pointed out the Twins have multiple second base options. It will be interesting next month to see if Lewis, Julian or Lee start taking reps in the outfield or if Kirilloff plays more left field in the spring. I would expect that Polanco's value as a Twin not necessarily a major league second baseman, but as a Twin will continue to decline. It's trading him as a major league second baseman where his value lies.

[Fatbat]

4 hours ago, JD-TWINS said:

Lewis/Farmer - CC/Farmer - Julien/Farmer - Kirilloff/Miranda (or somebody RH & competent) & the 2 catchers = 8 guys.

Wallner - Castro - Kepler - Buxton (Larnach - Gordon - Martin - Acquisition?) …….5 guys for OF & DH.

Get to roster 13 guys……..

There’s no room on the roster for Polanco IMO. Who goes, realistically???

It probably won’t happen opening day but Gordon probably won’t be around and Miranda is still a big question mark.  Polo will likely be around until those questions are answered as well as when Lee is going to jump to varsity and stay. 

[RpR]

5 minutes ago, gman said:

I think whoever starts the year at second base this year is just a place holder. Of course should does not mean will, but Lee should be ready by sometime in June to take over at second or third. Julian provides more flexibility in the infield then Polanco will this year and next. Part of Polanco's value comes in holding down a position that no one else can fill, but as several others have pointed out the Twins have multiple second base options. It will be interesting next month to see if Lewis, Julian or Lee start taking reps in the outfield or if Kirilloff plays more left field in the spring. I would expect that Polanco's value as a Twin not necessarily a major league second baseman, but as a Twin will continue to decline. It's trading him as a major league second baseman where his value lies.

Lewis is never going into the outfield and hell has frozen if they try Julien out there.

Lee is in the Minors and all the wishful thinking does not change that fact he could stay there all year., except for injuries.

It is amazing all the infatuation with the Minor League Rookies who have not mastered that much less Major League pitchers who could eat them for dinner.

[Fatbat]

I don’t always agree with @Mike Sixel but I do when we are both unsure that there is a bad decision to be made.  Polo is still serviceable at defense in multiple positions and doesn't have to play the same position every day. He is also a viable option as a part time DH and late inning pinch hitter. There is also the locker room leadership that he exudes.  He still has massive value.  His contract isn’t even bad. I would error on the side of keeping him because we may just need him deep in October’24 to blow open a game. 

[Major League Ready]

26 minutes ago, Fatbat said:

Gallo got $11M last year to be productive for 5 weeks. 

You will have to elaborate on how this is relevant because I see absolutely zero relevance to the question of if the money would be better allocated toward pitching.  We are working with a significantly different budget.  Kirilloff's availability was very much in question last year and 2B is our deepest position this year.  Also, this being a trade instead of a free agent signing, we would be getting what should be a significant return if he has the value many here suggest.  How is what they paid Gallo relevant?