TRADE: Twins Send Jorge Polanco to Mariners in Five-Player Deal

[Mike Sixel]

13 minutes ago, Dman said:

I think Topa is the headliner in this deal for the Twins.  He has a plus fastball and slider with solid cutter.  Not a strike out guy unfortunately, but really good at generating ground balls.  Maybe the Twins can tweak a few things but he had a good year last year and maybe even more importantly he has two option years left.  Strengthening the pen should help.

I don't love Descalfini as the 5th starter addition, but they have Varland and hopefully SWR and Headrick to help as needed.  Maybe one of Festa or Ohl works there way up this year yet.

Gonzalez is rated number 3 in their system and in the top 100 on the MLB site I believe.  Lot's of concerns about plate discipline though and no projection left.  I hope this isn't like Salas again where the other team sold high.  Still he is a nice power oriented right handed bat.  Twins don't much for the outfield at high A right now after moving Rodriguez and Rosario up so he is a system fit right now as well. He is only 20 but it is going to be big year for him.

Bowen has a live arm with plus fastball and slider.  That is generally what the Twins like in relievers.  Maybe they can add a sweeper or cutter as well.  Long way to go and not a control artist, but a nice lottery ticket.

Lot's of question marks but I guess Polo had his own question marks.  Hopefully some of these guys work out.  Especially the reliever as he seems to be what they were after for this years team.

Salas is 19.... Maybe let's not decide on that yet? Otherwise,I agree with this all. I mean, Bowen could be a very good RP if they move him there full time, pretty quickly. 

[darin617]

35 minutes ago, Brandon said:

Is DeSclafani any better then Varland?  I get that we now have more depth for our rotation and he is at worst Bundy if he has a bad year or he can be a solid #3 type starter and he could be either.

IT lets them keep Varland in the bullpen. Nothing wrong with that. I'm not sold that Varland has enough pitches to be a good starter. Let him throw gas in the pen.

[stringer bell]

1 hour ago, NeverSeenATwinsPlayoffWin said:

We have to remember that Jorge has missed half of the Twins' games the last two years and his defense is going to decline even more with his age and injuries. I'm not super happy about it, but with time, this trade will prove to be a good decision, just like the Arraez for Lopez deal last year.

It's not "just like Arraez for Lopez" because the starting pitching piece acquired isn't a top of the line pitcher. Of course, Polanco isn't Arraez either. The Mariners get two years of a very good player. The Twins get one year of a dreaded innings eater if he's healthy. The other guys acquired are interesting--Topa had a very nice season and it looks like he's quite a ground ball machine, Gonzalez looks like a nice prospect. 

[KirbyDome89]

5 minutes ago, NeverSeenATwinsPlayoffWin said:

He's a top-100 prospect, he's viewed fairly. Walter Jenkins hasn't been to AA, but you'd be ludicrous to think that Polanco's trade value is anywhere close to Jenkins'. Again, Polanco has missed ~50% of the Twins' game's the last two years, is a bad defender, and only has two years of control. That's a very risky acquisition for the Mariners, too, so I don't think their value is too different.

Just a few years ago people on this board were drooling over Austin Martin and SWR. Neither has been able to find consist success in the upper minors, let alone contribute anything at the Major League level. I understand that established talent is swapped for prospects all the time, and sometimes that's the right call, but this team is trying to win now, which is important in viewing the "value," of this swap. 

The Mariners just moved spare parts + a prospect for a legit bat. It's Polanco's health and continued production vs. the development of Gonzalez. 

[Heistyman]

Gabriel Gonzalez SEA, OF, 20.3 - Gonzalez' numbers dropped off majorly when he got promoted to High-A. He put up a 149 wRC+ with a 13.7% K% in 73 games at Single-A vs. a 21.5% K% and 83 wRC+ in 43 games at High-A. Single-A was his age appropriate level, but it's not a great sign that more advanced pitchers were able to exploit his extremely aggressive plate approach (6.5% BB%). He's not a toolsy guy or imposing figure at 5'10'' with below average speed, and his groundball rates have been on the high side at 53.4% at High-A. He does hit the ball hard with more power likely coming (18 homers in 2023), and he does have an excellent feel to hit, but it's a profile that is lacking upside right now. 

 

Recent scouting report on Gonzalez.

[RaoulDuke]

Sad to see Jorge go but he was certainly a moveable asset. 

Nice to get a top 100 prospect for him in Gonzalez.  Topa seems like a decent bet to be a Pagan replacement for the 7th.  I am not really excited for Desclafani but hopefully he bounces back.  Bowen is a low minors wildcard throw in. 

I still want them to trade for a 2 or 3 starter, this move does not "fill the hole" in the rotation it just provides back end depth.

[sweetmusicviola16]

I haven't looked at the prospect pieces, but DeSclafani. Yuck and pew. Disappointed in this.

[howeda7]

39 minutes ago, PseudoSABR said:

I know the tool is imperfect, but in what world does a 33 year old reliever with one good ML season have a value of 7? Come on.

[Brett]

Now there’s room on the 26 man for Gordon and Castro, so we swap hitting for flexibility in the field. Interesting. Maybe this is the first move of two.

The new OF prospect might make it easier to trade ERod.

[howeda7]

Another reason I don't love this is the DH spot isn't really filled. So sure Julien can play 2B, but who's the DH then? Larnach? At least now go out and sign someone like Carlos Santana for 1B/DH.

[PseudoSABR]

5 minutes ago, KirbyDome89 said:

Just a few years ago people on this board were drooling over Austin Martin and SWR. Neither has been able to find consist success in the upper minors, let alone contribute anything at the Major League level. I understand that established talent is swapped for prospects all the time, and sometimes that's the right call, but this team is trying to win now, which is important in viewing the "value," of this swap. 

The Mariners just moved spare parts + a prospect for a legit bat. It's Polanco's health and continued production vs. the development of Gonzalez. 

Cherry pick much?  I guess we should have traded Royce, Julien, and Wallner while they were still in the minors to really get that value.  sigh.

[Mike Sixel]

I'm not convinced they are done.... I'd guess this is part of a series of moves...

[sweetmusicviola16]

2 minutes ago, sweetmusicviola16 said:

I haven't looked at the prospect pieces, but DeSclafani. Yuck and pew. Disappointed in this.

I do hope we use some of this new prospect capital to get a much better SP

[PseudoSABR]

2 minutes ago, howeda7 said:

I know the tool is imperfect, but in what world does a 33 year old reliever with one good ML season have a value of 7? Come on.

He's got 3 to 4 years of control, and was very good last year.  That's not worth a "7" but Anthony D probably isn't a negative value save for the contract either.

[Schmoeman5]

Well. Seattle and Minnesota made the trade folks were anticipating.  And Polanco was mentioned as part of a deal. It just wasn't the Seattle pitcher that Twins fan's hoped for in return. Well at least they have the popcorn going. Now just pull up the chair and hope this was the preview for the upcoming feature. Personally I like the trade. It's not a needle mover. But it's a step in the direction the FO appears to be moving. 

[Whitey333]

55 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

No salary freed up--DeSclafani is making more than Polanco.

Cash returned might make save the Twins some $$$. Do we know how much money is involved?

Seattle is reporting it to be 6 million back to the Twins.

[JD-TWINS]

33 minutes ago, DocBauer said:

Knee jerk reaction?

I don't like it. I can see Topa as a solid 6th inning guy for the pen. Gonzalez certainly seems/sounds like a very solid young RH bat for the OF in a couple of years. Solid numbers in his brief career so far! But DeSclafani hasn't been good since the Giants got him in 2021. He'll turn 34yo shortly after the season starts. Can he turn it back around at this stage in his career?

How about Polanco straight up for a better young arm and Seattle can keep everyone else and their $???? I would have liked that deal better. Or Polanco and a solid top 20 prospect for a slightly better arm than pitcher X in a 1 for 1 deal?

This only makes sense to me if Gonzalez is moved in a second deal, OR, helps replace someone else from the Twins system that is included in such a deal for a different, better arm.

Otherwise, we gave Polanco to them for a maybe #5 SP, a middle man for the pen, and a nice 20yo prospect who's got to be 2yrs away.

Nope...don't like this at all!

IMO, in the trade we got the “#79 prospect” with Gonzalez as a RH hitting Corner OF……somewhat worthwhile. Maybe doesn’t get to the Majors?

Darren Bowen is a big leap arm - we’ll see…..maybe a 15% chance of bringing MLB value?

Extends the rotation by a guy and allows Varland to be under less stress, and he isn’t handed the 5th rotation spot. DeSclafani has had 3 years randomly spaced with ERA’s under 3.70………worthwhile.

Topa threw 69 innings in 75 appearances with a 2.61 ERA in ‘23 - experienced as well ……..very worthwhile. He can have a positive affect in 55 games or more - slots in next to Funderburk as the #5 & #6 guys in the Pen. Getting $$ to cover his salary as well.

I think, with Julien - Farmer - Castro - Gordon - Martin - Lee/Lewis at some point all in the 2B mix, the trade makes sense.

[tony&rodney]

49 minutes ago, harmony55 said:

Ouch.

Jorge Polanco has a new fan.😁

Well I said I would say I'm wrong if the Twins traded Polanco for less than his worth to the Twins and it feels like that just happened, so .... I was wrong. 

Harmony55, you have continually championed Seattle and their players. I questioned how you felt DeSclafani had any worth and suggested that Trader Jerry would dump him. Did not suspect the foil. Questioned how you felt that Urias, Rojas, etc. were a representative group at 2B and 3B. I was sure Dipoto was after Jorge all offseason but did not suspect Polanco going so cheaply. Seattle moved much closer to AL West contention tonight and i will be watching some late night games. Polanco will be in the three hole for the Mariners. Hard to believe that Dipoto gets Polanco for a decent middle relief pitcher, a guy the Giants wanted to cut, and two prospects  who we shall be patient with as they hopefully develop.

Hey maybe DeSclafani rises from the ashes, but if the Twins use him above Louie Varland it will cost the Twins. There are still weeks to go before the season begins and I will be hopeful for a trade to improve the team. Right now, my personal projection system moved the Twins from 87 wins (+/- 5)  this morning to 85 victories tonight for the 2024 season. 

Those of you who wanted Polanco traded asap for a relief pitcher, any prospects, or whatever sure guessed correctly. 

 

[KirbyDome89]

13 minutes ago, Major League Ready said:

I think most people here would put a pretty high value on Walker Jenkins and he has a grand total of 56 PAs in A ball.

No s*** prospects can land you legit MLB talent, we just watched Berrios shove it down the Twins throat in October. I don't think an offensively challenged team, trying to build on their first taste of playoff success in 2 decades, should be swapping one of their better bats for a return headlined by a prospect. Where this team is, and what they should be trying to do is important if we're talking about assessing the value of this swap. 

[saviking]

44 minutes ago, DocBauer said:

Knee jerk reaction?

I don't like it. I can see Topa as a solid 6th inning guy for the pen. Gonzalez certainly seems/sounds like a very solid young RH bat for the OF in a couple of years. Solid numbers in his brief career so far! But DeSclafani hasn't been good since the Giants got him in 2021. He'll turn 34yo shortly after the season starts. Can he turn it back around at this stage in his career?

How about Polanco straight up for a better young arm and Seattle can keep everyone else and their $???? I would have liked that deal better. Or Polanco and a solid top 20 prospect for a slightly better arm than pitcher X in a 1 for 1 deal?

This only makes sense to me if Gonzalez is moved in a second deal, OR, helps replace someone else from the Twins system that is included in such a deal for a different, better arm.

Otherwise, we gave Polanco to them for a maybe #5 SP, a middle man for the pen, and a nice 20yo prospect who's got to be 2yrs away.

Nope...don't like this at all!

Agree Doc. I don't like adding another retread starting pitcher. Especially when he cost 11.9 mill. I thought the idea was to get rid of payroll. I'm fine with Gonzales because he's a right handed back and like the extra bullpen addition. Just don't like the SEC&#<*@&< dude. Would have rather got another quality minor league player and pocketed the 11.9 mill. I guess maybe less if they through in money. Feels a lot like taking on Gallo. A guy that will underperformed but management won't cut him even if he stinks up the joint.

[Whitey333]

Hard to say about this deal until it plays out.  The salaries are similar in that Seattle us sending 6 million to Twins as part of the deal.  Desclafani is a free agent at the end of the 2024 season.  And at hus current salary of 12 million it seems unlikely the Twins would extend him.  So he is probably just a one year fill in starter.  That leaves a reliever and two prospects essentially plus long term salary dump for Polanco.  Meh

[Mike Sixel]

Is anyone paying attention to the fact Seattle is sending millions to Minnesota before posting?

[sweetmusicviola16]

11 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

I'm not convinced they are done.... I'd guess this is part of a series of moves...

I have to believe this as well. I've been desperately wanting another decent pen arm and I believe we got this tonight in Topa. Gonzalez is a good get, should free someone up for another trade,might even be him. 

DeSclafani is not an answer to any question.

[PseudoSABR]

 

[Mike Sixel]

1 minute ago, Whitey333 said:

Hard to say about this deal until it plays out.  The salaries are similar in that Seattle us sending 6 million to Twins as part of the deal.  Desclafani is a free agent at the end of the 2024 season.  And at hus current salary of 12 million it seems unlikely the Twins would extend him.  So he is probably just a one year fill in starter.  That leaves a reliever and two prospects essentially plus long term salary dump for Polanco.  Meh

A reliver, a top 100 prospect, and a flyer prospect..... What were people expecting for a guy that hasn't been healthy in several years? 

[Linus]

2 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

Is anyone paying attention to the fact Seattle is sending millions to Minnesota before posting?

I do t give a crap about the Pohlads money. Why should you?  They took a playoff team and lowballed it to save nickels and dimes in their world. 

[PseudoSABR]

2 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

A reliver, a top 100 prospect, and a flyer prospect..... What were people expecting for a guy that hasn't been healthy in several years? 

The Pablo Lopez trade spoiled too many.

[Dman]

1 minute ago, PseudoSABR said:

 

I knew Seattle had to be happy to get rid of DeScalfini, but since they gave the Twins a top 100 prospect I didn't see much money coming back.  The more money that comes back the more likely the Twins do another deal.  This deal could look better in the end will have to wait and see.

[KirbyDome89]

16 minutes ago, PseudoSABR said:

Cherry pick much?  I guess we should have traded Royce, Julien, and Wallner while they were still in the minors to really get that value.  sigh.

Where in that post did I advocate for unloading all prospects? You don't have to push this into absurdity. 

I don't think I'm "cherry picking," anymore than the group that's celebrating a return headlined by a top 100 prospect. YMMV

[tony&rodney]

57 minutes ago, Brandon said:

Is DeSclafani any better then Varland?  I get that we now have more depth for our rotation and he is at worst Bundy if he has a bad year or he can be a solid #3 type starter and he could be either.

Not even close to Varland. Eno Sarris ranks the top 150 starting pitchers in MLB. Simeon Woods Richardson is #149, Louie Varland is #87, and DeSclafani does not make the list at all. Keep in mind that anything can happen but right now he is not as good as Bundy.