Twins Should Hang Onto Jorge Polanco, at Least for Now

[Fatbat]

@Riverbrian To your point about Polo and Buck only being available for 100 games, can be viewed positively for the young guys getting more opportunity. Is that best for winning in ‘24? That is a huge question mark for sure!  Who steps into their roles if they are out for a month or two with more nagging injuries.  Rookies are full of growing pains but at least we have some to try out instead of the Jake Caves of the AAAA types. 

[JD-TWINS]

13 minutes ago, tony&rodney said:

Farmer and  Polanco can both play first base. 

Never seen Polanco there……Farmer maybe twice?? They both seem to be a stretch as the “other guy at first” as Kirilloff will max out at 130-135 games if the Team is very fortunate.

Haven’t seen anyone here or any writers suggesting either of these guys regularly at 1B. Emergency availability, sure. Other than that - a real stretch coming out of Spring Training.

Your opinion - I get it…..,,,,doesn’t seem very likely.

Versus left handed pitcher Farmer is at 2B 95% of the time.

[DJL44]

The problem with playing Polanco at 1B or DH is he isn't worth $10.5M there. His bat is nothing special compared to the other options at 1B or DH. JD Martinez and Brandon Belt are still looking for work. Both of them signed for less than $10.5M last season. If you want a DH you sign JD Martinez and trade Polanco to a team that needs a 2B.

[Riverbrian]

9 minutes ago, Fatbat said:

@Riverbrian To your point about Polo and Buck only being available for 100 games, can be viewed positively for the young guys getting more opportunity. Is that best for winning in ‘24? That is a huge question mark for sure!  Who steps into their roles if they are out for a month or two with more nagging injuries.  Rookies are full of growing pains but at least we have some to try out instead of the Jake Caves of the AAAA types. 

That's exactly what you want those young guys for.

The Twins have done a great job building the overall depth of the team so if Lewis or Correa or Buxton or Polanco gets hurt... the fall shouldn't be as painful.  

Now that we have depth... We need bigger and better at the top end of the hitting spectrum to make the team better. It's much better to turn to a Miranda instead of Luplow when the need arises.  

[chpettit19]

22 minutes ago, JD-TWINS said:

Never seen Polanco there……Farmer maybe twice?? They both seem to be a stretch as the “other guy at first” as Kirilloff will max out at 130-135 games if the Team is very fortunate.

Haven’t seen anyone here or any writers suggesting either of these guys regularly at 1B. Emergency availability, sure. Other than that - a real stretch coming out of Spring Training.

Your opinion - I get it…..,,,,doesn’t seem very likely.

Versus left handed pitcher Farmer is at 2B 95% of the time.

Then you just flip Julien over to 1B and put Polanco at 2B like they did last year when Kirilloff was down. 

Do you honestly think Farmer can play SS but can't play 1B? Do you think Polanco played SS his whole life before moving to 2B but couldn't shift over to 1B for 50 games?

[JD-TWINS]

34 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

Then you just flip Julien over to 1B and put Polanco at 2B like they did last year when Kirilloff was down. 

Do you honestly think Farmer can play SS but can't play 1B? Do you think Polanco played SS his whole life before moving to 2B but couldn't shift over to 1B for 50 games?

It’s not a talent issue……Byron Buxton could probably play 1B as well. Julien is a defensive statue and played part of a game at 1B.

Again, if they commit to play Polanco at first as an alternative to Kirilloff, I see some value there but I don’t hear anyone suggesting that will happen. If he could play 1B he might be the starter 130 games, again, nobody is predicting Polanco at 1B.

Farmer can catch too. it their not going into the season as him as the 2nd catcher.

It’s not Legion Ball - the guys have to be very good at a position to play it for more than a handful of innings once in a while in the Show.

[chpettit19]

5 minutes ago, JD-TWINS said:

It’s not a talent issue……Byron Buxton could probably play 1B as well. Julien is a defensive statue and played part of a game at 1B.

Again, if they commit to play Polanco at first as an alternative to Kirilloff, I see some value there but I don’t hear anyone suggesting that will happen. If he could play 1B he might be the starter 130 games, again, nobody is predicting Polanco at 1B.

Farmer can catch too. it their not going into the season as him as the 2nd catcher.

It’s not Legion Ball - the guys have to be very good at a position to play it for more than a handful of innings once in a while in the Show.

If Julien is too much of a statue to play 1B why do you have him penned in to 2B so solidly that Polanco doesn't even have a spot on your 13 man position player roster? If "guys have to be very good at a position to play it for more than a handful of innings once in a while in the Show" why is Julien your starting 2B if he's a "defensive statue?" 

I don't think they need to "commit to play Polanco at first." I think he could slide over there tomorrow and hold his own. Same with Farmer. You've suggest Miranda as the Kirilloff partner at 1B. Do you think he's "very good" at 1B? Do you think he's better than Polanco would be?

I can't follow the logic in your arguments.

[DocBauer]

4 hours ago, JD-TWINS said:

Siting Arraez v. Polanco stats are interesting…….the difference & my recurring point in this debate about Polanco’s value is that Arraez played 90% of games & Polanco played 55% of games over the past 2 seasons.

Stats don’t translate from the IL. That’s my arguement - period. Can’t afford another Buxtonlike guy on the roster.

Just to be clear:

A] Availability is important, I'll grant you that 100%. IIRC, it appears Polanco's ankle is finally OK. His 2023 season was delayed some, but the time he missed later in the season was not related to his previous injuries. I believe it was relatively minor and not for very long. Again, IIRC. 2024 could, and hopefully will be, a healthy one for him. But I understand your point.

B] When I cited Arraez's and Polanco's OPS and OPS+ over the past 3yrs, and how close they are, I was referencing Polanco's value as a trade option. While Polanco is about 3yrs older than Arraez, if Arraez could net a return of Lopez and a couple A level prospects by himself, shouldn't Polanco and a couple good, solid prospects in our top 20 net an arm without the Twins having to move one of their top 3-5? 

Sorry if my comparison between the two wasn't more clear. :)

[Major League Ready]

10 minutes ago, DocBauer said:

shouldn't Polanco and a couple good, solid prospects in our top 20 net an arm without the Twins having to move one of their top 3-5? 

Sorry if my comparison between the two wasn't more clear. :)

I think you have captured the heart of the matter Doc.  You have to believe that this type of trade is what the FO is trying to pull-off.  It's going to competitive for SPs so let's hope the trade partners value Polanco enough that it does not take a top prospect to get pitching.

[mnfireman]

Polanco is a very good athlete, he came up as a SS after all, I think he can make the transition to 1B, much like Carew did. 

Julien started at 2B in both WC games, was PH for by Farmer in Game 1 and PR for by Farmer in Game 2. Farmer stayed in both games to play 3B while Polanco moved over to 2B. He started at 2B in Game 1 of the ALDS, PH for Farmer late in Game 2 (Valdez started, LHP) and was the DH in Games 3 and 4 (Solano started Game 4 at 1B in place of the injured Kirilloff).

Polanco started the 2 WC games at 3B and moved over to 2B once Julien was removed in both games. He started Game 1 of the ALDS at 3B and moved over to 2B for Games 2, 3 & 4 once Lewis was healthy enough to play in the field. Seems to me the team valued Polanco over Julien due to his ability to hit both handed pitching and his versatility in the field.

[DocBauer]

27 minutes ago, Major League Ready said:

I think you have captured the heart of the matter Doc.  You have to believe that this type of trade is what the FO is trying to pull-off.  It's going to competitive for SPs so let's hope the trade partners value Polanco enough that it does not take a top prospect to get pitching.

I love me some Jorge Polanco and would be tickled to death if he was part of the 2024 Twins. I'd have him play some 1B in ST and continue to have him play 3B as well, not because he'd probably be great at either spot, but because it just helps utilize the 13 man player roster better. We already know he's a solid 2B and quality batter. How about having him as a PH on days he doesn't start?

But all I've been saying is it's all of these qualities...plus a desirable contract...that makes him valuable as a trade chip as well. I've never once said I WANT him traded. But you have to give to receive. 

Nobody saw the Pacious for Odorizzi deal coming. Nobody saw the Petty for Gray deal coming. And while there were certainly rumors about moving Arraez, I doubt anyone saw him for Lopez, plus the two A ball prospects being thrown in. 

Personally, and this is just me, I'd love something like Polanco, Larnach, and maybe Severino to Seattle for Castillo. Seattle keeps all of their inexpensive young arms, cuts payroll (which has been a strong rumor), adds bats, and the Twins can fit Castillo's contract for 2024. The Twins are will to say: "Screw it. Farmer and Kepler are gone after '24...probably...and even with raises to other players, we'll figure it out when the time comes."

It would be BOLD for the FO/ownership to do, but it makes sense for both sides and could pay nice dividends for both sides. Of course, Castillo and his agent would probably look for a bump of some sort to waive the no trade clause I've heard he has, so that probably ruins my fantasy entirely, LOL.

But we have no idea what the FO is going to try to pull off here, just as we didn't see the last three rabbits out of the hat moves they made. With, or without Polanco involved....maybe Kepler...the question remains as to whether they can do it a 4th time.

[Major League Ready]

23 hours ago, DocBauer said:

I love me some Jorge Polanco and would be tickled to death if he was part of the 2024 Twins. I'd have him play some 1B in ST and continue to have him play 3B as well, not because he'd probably be great at either spot, but because it just helps utilize the 13 man player roster better. We already know he's a solid 2B and quality batter. How about having him as a PH on days he doesn't start?

But all I've been saying is it's all of these qualities...plus a desirable contract...that makes him valuable as a trade chip as well. I've never once said I WANT him traded. But you have to give to receive. 

Nobody saw the Pacious for Odorizzi deal coming. Nobody saw the Petty for Gray deal coming. And while there were certainly rumors about moving Arraez, I doubt anyone saw him for Lopez, plus the two A ball prospects being thrown in. 

Personally, and this is just me, I'd love something like Polanco, Larnach, and maybe Severino to Seattle for Castillo. Seattle keeps all of their inexpensive young arms, cuts payroll (which has been a strong rumor), adds bats, and the Twins can fit Castillo's contract for 2024. The Twins are will to say: "Screw it. Farmer and Kepler are gone after '24...probably...and even with raises to other players, we'll figure it out when the time comes."

It would be BOLD for the FO/ownership to do, but it makes sense for both sides and could pay nice dividends for both sides. Of course, Castillo and his agent would probably look for a bump of some sort to waive the no trade clause I've heard he has, so that probably ruins my fantasy entirely, LOL.

But we have no idea what the FO is going to try to pull off here, just as we didn't see the last three rabbits out of the hat moves they made. With, or without Polanco involved....maybe Kepler...the question remains as to whether they can do it a 4th time.

Seattle's projected payroll is only $117M so moving Ray and DeSclafini coming off next year may have satisfied their payroll needs.  They are definetly not as good, especially in the playoffs if they move Castillo.  I doubt they go that route.  They also gave up a ton to get him.  Marte is Cincy's #1 prospect, Arroyo is #3 and Stroudt made it to the MLB level last year.  Dipotto looks pretty bad if he flips Castillo for less than a haul at this point.

[KBJ1]

While we all Love Polo, Farmer is better defensively,  especially at 3B & SS.

Depends on the trade package we can make. For a closer -Yes!

Polanco, Kepler + prospects for a #2 Starter? You bet. Give him away for salary reasons, No!

[Major League Ready]

25 minutes ago, KBJ1 said:

While we all Love Polo, Farmer is better defensively,  especially at 3B & SS.

Depends on the trade package we can make. For a closer -Yes!

Polanco, Kepler + prospects for a #2 Starter? You bet. Give him away for salary reasons, No!

How would you feel if they traded him for a good AAA prospect and then reinvested the $10.5M plus another 5-10M in a starting pitcher?  That would put them at $125-130M in payroll which seems feasible. 

What if they traded him and Kepler for prospects and used the money to bring in Hoskins and a BP arm?

[Doctor Gast]

Thanks, Nash, this article was a breath of fresh air. Finally, one that makes sense which I haven't seen since  Marlins SPs up for trade. the way it looks to me Polanco will be 100% after years of physical abuse on the field. We all know what Polo can do when he's !000%. Forget about the years of having to play hurt. He's back & in his prime. Keep Polo! Go Twins!