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The first big domino of the Twins’ offseason fell on Monday and Jorge Polanco, the team’s longest-tenured player, was traded to the Seattle Mariners in a five-player deal.
The Twins received two right-handers, starter Anthony DeSclafani and reliever Justin Topa, and two minor leaguers, outfielder Gabriel González and pitcher Darren Bowen, in exchange for Polanco, the switch-hitting second baseman who has been a regular part of the infield. of the Twins since 2016. The Mariners will send cash to the Twins to offset salaries, the teams announced.
Polanco, an All-Star in 2019, was an above-average hitter during his 10 seasons with the Twins. Limited by injuries to 80 games last season, he hit .255 with 14 home runs and 48 RBIs.
The Twins exercised a $10.5 million club option on Polanco’s contract in November, but he was one of the club’s top trade candidates due to their infield depth. Polanco spent time at third base and designated hitter to make room for Edouard Julien in the second half of last season. Brooks Lee, one of the organization’s top infield prospects, also reached Class AAA last year.
Polanco signed with the Twins one day after his 16th birthday in 2009. All he has done since then is become an integral part of the organization. He made his MLB debut at age 20, the youngest debut since Joe Mauer. He made the cycle on April 5, 2019 and earned down-votes for MVP that season on the Bomba Squad.
There was an 80-game suspension for use of a performance-enhancing substance in 2018, but he made it a footnote. He had 33 home runs and 98 RBIs in 2021, franchise records for a switch-hitter, in addition to five plate appearances.
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The Mariners, looking for more offense at second base, could keep Polanco through 2025. Polanco has another club option on his contract after next season.
“From the beginning of this offseason, Jorge was someone we identified as the perfect candidate for our roster,” Seattle general manager Justin Hollander said in a statement.
DeSclafani, 33, went 4-8 with a 4.88 ERA in 18 starts for the San Francisco Giants last year, totaling 79 strikeouts and 20 walks in 99 ⅔ innings. In the final year of a three-year, $36 million contract, DeSclafani missed the final two months of last season with a right elbow flexor strain.
Topa, a 32-year-old right-hander, had his best year in the majors last season, posting a 2.61 ERA in 69 innings out of the Mariners’ bullpen with 61 strikeouts and 18 walks. He recorded three saves, primarily pitching in the seventh and eighth innings.
Gonzalez, an outfielder who reached Class A-Advanced last year, was ranked the No. 5 prospect in the Mariners organization by Baseball America. The 20-year-old stands out for his power and his arm. He batted .298 with 18 home runs and 84 RBIs in 116 games across two minor league levels in 2023.
Bowen, a 13th-round pick in 2022, had a 3.88 ERA in Class A last season. Ranked as the Mariners’ No. 25 prospect, the 22-year-old was considered one of the most athletic pitchers in their farm system.