*Photo from Sports Illustrated*
The Seattle Mariners have acquired INF Jorge Polanco from the Minnesota Twins in exchange for RHP's Anthony DeSclafani, Justin Topa, and Darren Bowen, plus OF Gabriel Gonzalez and cash considerations. MLB.com's Mark Feinsand was first with the trade, which has been confirmed by both teams.
Polanco is owed $10.5 million in 2024 after the Twins exercised their team option before the season. There is another team option for next year worth $12 million. With the 30 year old having been a popular trade candidate, he's now moved to Seattle.
Twins president of baseball operations Derek Falvey said of the trade that "There was a ton of interest in Polo, probably more at the prospect level for a good chunk of the offseason. I've been pretty consistent about our view of that, which is, we're trying to find a way to add to '24 and also keep an eye on the future. This was the first deal for us really that intersected both of those in a way that felt like it was above the line."
Battling multiple injuries, Polanco was reliable when he was on the field in 2023. He had a .255/.335/.454 slash line with a 115 OPS+, hitting 14 home runs and 18 doubles with 48 RBI's in 80 games. He had 4 hits with one home run and 3 RBI's in 6 playoff games.
One of the pieces the Twins are getting back is DeSclafani, who was traded from the Giants to the Mariners this offseason before now landing with the Twins. He ended 2023 with a 4.88 ERA, 4.35 FIP, and 1.254 WHIP, averaging 7.1 strikeouts per 9 innings in 99 2/3 innings over 18 starts and one relief appearance.
Falvey talked about adding DeSclafani, saying that "We like this guy's stuff. We think he has the ability to pitch anywhere in our rotation, but certainly a guy we think, when we saw just a couple short years ago, really performed."
Topa is a reliever who can help the Twins cover middle relief innings. In his first season with the Mariners, Topa had a 2.61 ERA, 1.145 WHIP, and 3.15 FIP, picking up 3 saves and allowing just 4 home runs in 69 innings, appearing in 75 games.
Gonzalez was ranked as the 3rd best prospect in the Mariners farm system and 79th best in baseball according to MLB Pipeline before the trade. Combined between Low A Modesto and High A Everett last season, he had a .298/.361/.476 slash line, hitting 18 home runs and 23 doubles with 84 RBI's in 116 games.
Bowen, the final piece of the return, becomes the 27th ranked Twins prospect according to MLB Pipeline. A 2022 draft pick, Bowen had a 3.88 ERA and 1.096 WHIP, throwing 55 2/3 innings in 15 starts and 4 relief appearances for Low A Modesto.
Polanco will become the starting second baseman for the Mariners with Dylan Moore, Luis Urias, and Josh Rojas also in the mix. DeSclafani joins a rotation that has Pablo Lopez, Joe Ryan, Bailey Ober, Chris Paddack, and Louie Varland. Topa and Josh Staumont are new additions to the Twins bullpen.
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