The Seattle Mariners have reached an agreement with the Minnesota Twins to trade All-Star second baseman Jorge Polanco, according to multiple reports on Monday.
In exchange for Polanco, the Mariners will trade right-handers Anthony DeSclafani and Justin Topa, as well as promising outfielder Gabriel Gonzalez and right-hander Darren Bowen, ESPN reported.
Polanco fits perfectly into the Mariners’ infield, which also includes Ty France, JP Crawford, and Eugenio Suarez, and at the same time, the lineup has more All-Star players in hopes of competing in the tough AL West division. He will likely play the role of a switch hitter.
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On October 11, 2023, in the bottom of the 8th inning of Game 4 of the Division Series at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota, No. 11 Jorge Polanco of the Minnesota Twins hits No. 15 Martin Maldonado of the Houston Astros at first base. Throw it away. (Adam Boettcher/Getty Images)
Shohei Ohtani may no longer be with the Los Angeles Angels, but the Houston Astros won the division championship again last season. However, the Texas Rangers, who entered the American League West as a wild card, won the 2023 World Series.
Polanco spent his entire 10-year MLB career in Minnesota. But with his contract almost up, the Twins found a suitor for him at a good price.
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The Mariners currently have Polanco under contract for the 2024 season, with a club option for the 2025 season.
Minnesota Twins No. 11 Jorge Polanco walks on the field before Game 3 of the division series against the Houston Astros at Target Field on October 10, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (David Berding/Getty Images)
Polanco’s only All-Star appearance with the Twins came in 2019, when he hit .295/.356/.485 with 22 home runs and 79 RBIs in 153 games.
Although he hasn’t been able to average close to his career high in recent seasons, he still boasts a power hit and on-base percentage, hitting .335 on-base percentage and .454 slugging percentage in 80 games last season. .
Injuries have been a bit of an issue for Polanco, who failed to rehab his knee in spring training and started the 2023 season on injured reserve. He has been plagued by a knee injury since early last year, causing him to miss the final 37 games of the 2022 season.
Jorge Polanco, No. 11 of the Minnesota Twins, stands at bat during Game 3 of the Division Series against the Houston Astros at Target Field on October 10, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images)
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Still, Polanco brings a durable glove and underrated pop to the Mariners as long as he stays healthy. His last season was in 2021, when he hit career highs with 33 home runs and 98 RBIs in 152 games.
