Former Minnesota Twins Veteran is Hitting the Open Market

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Jorge Polanco
Credit: Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Twins offseason started weeks ago. But the official start of the MLB offseason came immediately following the Los Angeles Dodgers’ World Series win. That means the calendar immediately flips towards 2025, and roster building can commence. The biggest domino to fall, as it relates to Minnesota, was regarding a player they no longer employ.

Seattle Mariners make Jorge Polanco a free agent

Last offseason Derek Falvey dealt Jorge Polanco to the Seattle Mariners in a move that was necessitated by a limited payroll. Ownership dropped the overall outlay by $30 million, and Polanco became a expendable commodity that was turned into a reallocation of assets. Of course that trade went belly up for everyone, but he isn’t sticking around with the Mariners either.

It is possible there was an acclimation process for Polanco, and he simply didn’t settle in with a new team. That said, he’s not getting any younger and did again undergo a surgery to his knee. Issues with his lower body have kept his games played below 118 per season for each of the past three years. It will be fascinating to see what sort of a deal the 31-year-old lands in his first experience with free agency.

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Polanco’s 93 OPS+ wasn’t horrific, but he’s not a plus-defender. It’s probably best he seeks out a one-year deal with an option to make it a bit longer.

Minnesota Twins decline multiple options as well

There was a level of uncertainty regarding what the Mariners would ultimately do with Polanco. There was no uncertainty when it came to the team options Minnesota had on both Manuel Margot and Kyle Farmer. Each were declined as was expected.

Last season the Twins over-extended themselves when giving Farmer a bloated $6.3 million in arbitration. He has been a key part of the clubhouse, but it seemed that the open market dictated a deal that would have been half that amount at best. He struggled mightily throughout much of the season and finished with just an 82 OPS+. At least we’ll always have this fun home run.

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The Twins needed Byron Buxton insurance in the outfield and opted for Margot as the answer. It was a defendable acquisition that almost immediately went belly-up. He proved to be a bad defender, posted a career-worst 76 OPS+, and goes down as the worst pinch hitter of all-time. Thankfully his $2 million buyout is paid by the Tampa Bay Rays.

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The next order of business for Minnesota is to place Rule 5 Draft eligible prospects on the 40 man roster. With a payroll destined for $130 million again, Falvey will need to get creative if the Twins are going to improve.

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