Seattle Mariners Acquire Former All-Star 2B in Big Deal with Minnesota Twins
The Seattle Mariners and Minnesota Twins are in agreement on a big deal that is bringing former All-Star second baseman Jorge Polanco to Seattle.
Per Kiley McDaniel of ESPN:
MLB righties Anthony DeSclafani and Justin Topa along with prospects OF Gabriel Gonzalez and RHP Darren Bowen is the four player return for Polanco, per sources. Believe cash is also involved.
Let's start with the Seattle side of things. In getting Polanco, the Mariners are getting an established player at a position they've been sorely lacking in. The M's have utilized Adam Frazier, Kolten Wong and Jose Caballero at second base in the last two seasons, with none of them having particular success.
The 30-year-old Polanco is a lifetime .269 hitter who made the All-Star Game in 2019. He battled injury in 2023, playing in just 80 games, and hit .255 with 14 homers and 48 RBI. He is under contract for 2024 and has a team option for 2025 that is valued at $10.5 million.
It's an interesting move from a money perspective as both teams have been up against spending restrictions this offseason due to television revenue concerns. Minnesota evidently decided to move on from Polanco while Seattle felt it could absorb the salary, especially after moving DeSclafani.
As for the Twins, the departure of Polanco opens up the job for Eduoard Julien, who is an excellent hitting prospect who debuted in 2023. In acquiring Topa, they are getting bullpen help. He went 5-4 with a 2.61 ERA in 2023. Seattle evidently feels like they can find another bullpen success story this year, as they have done with Topa, Paul Sewald and Drew Steckenrider in the recent past.
DeSclafani was just acquired by Seattle and was slated for long-relief duty but now will have a chance to compete for a starting spot. He is a nine-year veteran who is 54-56 lifetime. He won 13 games for the Giants in 2021.
Gonzalez was ranked the No. 3 prospect in the M's organization in the last 2023 rankings. Bowen was not in the Top 30, per MLB.com.
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