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    No Surprise: Twins Exercise Options for Kepler and Polanco

    Nick Nelson

    By Nick Nelson

    The two long-tenured Twins are now under contract for 2024. That doesn't necessarily mean either will be playing in Minnesota next year.

    Image courtesy of © Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

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    In a move that shouldn't have caught anyone off-guard, the Minnesota Twins announced on Thursday that they are exercising their respective team options for 2024 on Max Kepler and Jorge Polanco. Among current Twins players, only Byron Buxton has been around as long as these two long-time fixtures, who are now locked into their contracts for the coming season. 

    Both have their question marks, to be sure. Polanco has dealt with continual lower-body injuries in the past couple of seasons, and Kepler's performance was perpetually underwhelming up until the midway point of 2023. Still, at the prices their options entail -- $10 million for Kepler, $10.5 million for Polo, these decisions were truly no-brainers. Each player would command far more on the open market, and as such, will draw trade interest if the Twins are so inclined.

    This procedural move sets the stage for an offseason that will likely be dominated by trade speculation around both Polanco and Kepler. The right fielder and second baseman are proven commodities who were both arguably made redundant by the emergence of standout rookies this year -- specifically, Edouard Julien and Matt Wallner.

    Kepler's offensive breakout and outstanding right field defense make him a strong asset. Polanco has been one of the most consistent offensive performers in the middle infield across the league. Shortcomings aside, these are good players still in their primes, with short-term and relatively low-cost commitments. That will make them attractive to other clubs, but also makes them attractive to the Twins, who clearly like both players a lot beyond what they bring to the field. They also like depth.

    The future for both Kepler and Polanco remains to be seen, but for now, as expected, they are under contract to play for the Minnesota Twins in 2024.

     

    Nick is a co-founder of Twins Daily who's been writing about the team for more than 15 years.
    Follow Nick Nelson on Twitter: NickNelsonMN

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    Riverbrian

    Riverbrian 42,812

  • Old-Timey Member

    • Posted

    3 minutes ago, Major League Ready said:

    Where we drifted was I don't see it as Farmer vs Polanco but the discussion followed that path.  I might move Farmer too.   One of them probably needs to go.  I see it as Polanco in a bench role reducing his overall value vs the players that take up that slack PLUS $10.5M.  If I get a decent (not plus/plus) return for Polanco.  I am moving him and spending the $10.5M elsewhere, probably on pitching.  However, I am under the impression that money will be an issue this year and that's an unknown.  I also think he brings a decent return but I am with you in that is very hard to predict given his injury history and lack of positional flexibility.

    It'll be interesting to see what the front office does this off-season but I like the depth and once you have depth... I feel it's time to raise the bar on your acquisitions. 

    I never look at anyone as a bench player and I will never look for a bench role.

    The minute that you are shopping for a bench player... you are shopping for a lesser player. Searching for a lesser player is a waste of a 26 man spot. Injuries and poor play have taught all of us that there is no such thing as a bench player. Eventually you will be forced to ask that that lesser player to not be a lesser player. Look for players who can play up and down the roster.

    I like the infield as is: Lewis, Correa, Polanco, Julien, Farmer, Kirilloff, Castro. 

    When I look at the roster... I see two needs. A Big Bat and a Big Starter. 

    Now if you are trading Polanco to clear 10.5 off the books. I can understand that. I don't think Polanco will get the player I want by himself but if his 10.5 could be put to use to land an even better hitter or a starter of Gray ability... ok... then I'm on board. 

    However... to be clear... If we are moving Polanco because of a perceived bench role or needing roster space or because the infield is crowded... then I'm against it. Move Farmer instead. Polanco is the better player.  

    dxpavelka

    dxpavelka 2,935

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    Folks on this and other sites have been moving on from these two for years.  I guarantee that at least one of them, and likely both will be around for 2024.  It's great to have guys poised to replace other guys.  Even better when those guys don't perform like Larnach and Miranda.  The risk of moving both of them will not be something this FO will take.  And rightfully so.

    Major League Ready

    Major League Ready 10,422

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    5 hours ago, Riverbrian said:

    It'll be interesting to see what the front office does this off-season but I like the depth and once you have depth... I feel it's time to raise the bar on your acquisitions. 

    I never look at anyone as a bench player and I will never look for a bench role.

    The minute that you are shopping for a bench player... you are shopping for a lesser player. Searching for a lesser player is a waste of a 26 man spot. Injuries and poor play have taught all of us that there is no such thing as a bench player. Eventually you will be forced to ask that that lesser player to not be a lesser player. Look for players who can play up and down the roster.

    I like the infield as is: Lewis, Correa, Polanco, Julien, Farmer, Kirilloff, Castro. 

    When I look at the roster... I see two needs. A Big Bat and a Big Starter. 

    Now if you are trading Polanco to clear 10.5 off the books. I can understand that. I don't think Polanco will get the player I want by himself but if his 10.5 could be put to use to land an even better hitter or a starter of Gray ability... ok... then I'm on board. 

    However... to be clear... If we are moving Polanco because of a perceived bench role or needing roster space or because the infield is crowded... then I'm against it. Move Farmer instead. Polanco is the better player.  

    Now we are exactly aligned.  I am one who has documented the failures of free agent pitchers but replacing Gray has to be job one and I would prefer to do that free agency.  I don't want to give up our premium prospects which is what it would take in trade.  Of course, there are only a handful of guys we want and lots of teams with more money wanting to sign them so there might not be a need to clear the salary but the hope they are able to fill these holes with guys that are good enough that money becomes an issue.

    Mike Sixel

    Mike Sixel 54,973

  • Old-Timey Member

    • Posted

    On 11/4/2023 at 6:56 AM, Riverbrian said:

    With all due respect it's not fair to say. 

    Polanco's career OPS vs RHP is .146 higher than Farmers. 70% of pitching is coming at ya from the right side. 

    Last Year -- Farmer had 222 AB's vs Right Handed pitchers 

    and Farmer had 114 AB's vs Lefties 

    Polanco actually out performed Farmer vs. Lefties last year: 

    BA:

    Polanco .310

    Farmer .289

    HR

    Polanco 4 Home Runs in 87 AB's.

    Farmer 2 Home Runs in 114 AB's 

    OPS

    Polanco .824

    Farmer .729

    Over his career Farmer has 1294 PA's vs Right Handers and 551 PA's vs Left Handers.  

    Farmer is going to face twice as many RHP than LHP.  

    Financially... This isn't 10.5 Million Dollars vs. the minimum. It's 10.5 vs 6.5. If you are spending 6.5 million... don't spend it on a short side platoon specialist... Take the better player. If the reason to move Polanco is financial to free up money... OK... but Farmer should go to. Free up 17 million. 

    Neither player has the trade value to acquire what we really need by themselves. 

    Polanco is the better player and younger and comes with yet another club option. Whoever you choose for your roster... that chosen player is going to play... take the better player. 

    Farmer can play defense..... Much, much, much better than Polanco. I hope they don't keep both, but expect they will. 

    Riverbrian

    Riverbrian 42,812

  • Old-Timey Member

    • Posted

    2 hours ago, Mike Sixel said:

    Farmer can play defense..... Much, much, much better than Polanco

    I get easily confused with weights and measures. I was driving 90 in my Kia the other day up in Canada because the sign clearly said 90.

    So just to make sure this isn't a kilometer conversation... I gotta ask: 

    When comparing defensive measurement to all of the other baseball measurements... what is the value of three defensive much betters? 

    How many offensive much betters are the equivalent of three defensive much betters? 

    Can a team win 101 games with Polanco at SS? 

    If I'm baking a cake and the recipe calls for a pinch of salt... and if I don't have any salt in the house... Do I have to run to the supermarket? 🤔



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