According to MLB Network’s Jon Morosi, the Twins have been receiving increased trade interest in infielder Jorge Polanco in the last week.
Morosi previously reported that the Twins were likely to trade Polanco this winter.
The Twins picked up Polanco’s $10.5 million option in early November, and freeing up his salary could allow Minnesota to pursue a starter or reliever — a sudden need as the Twins have lost starters Sonny Gray and Kenta Maeda and reliever Emilio Pagan in free agency.
While Polanco has typically been an iron man and mainstay at second base, injuries limited him to 80 games in 2023. The infielder was nonetheless effective defensively and at the plate when on the field, hitting .255 while cracking 14 home runs.
Polanco is one of the longest tenured Twins alongside Max Kepler, who’s also receiving some trade buzz but seems less likely to be dealt with Minnesota not as deep at the outfield positions.
Edouard Julien was a revelation at second base in Polanco’s absence, hitting .263 with a .459 slugging percentage and .839 OPS with 16 home runs in 2023. He wasn't as strong as Polanco defensively, but appears ready to step into the role of everyday second baseman.
Carlos Correa and Royce Lewis are locked in at shortstop and third base, respectively, and while the Twins’ outlook at first base is more murky, Minnesota has no shortage of options there, making Polanco a potentially valuable trade asset.
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