Former MN Twins Infielder Changing Positions With Big Spender
The Minnesota Twins have indicated they’ll hold onto their trio of stars and build around them this offseason . How significant or substantive that admission is remains to be seen. The reality is that Derek Falvey needs to make a handful of moves, but the totality will still likely fall short of even modest payroll expectations.
Minnesota’s greatest needs are at first base and the bullpen . They never had much reason to consider a middle infielder unless that player could man shortstop from a defensive standpoint. Still, keeping tabs on former connections always makes sense.
Playoff hero Jorge Polanco opted into free agency this offseason, and now he’s got a new home.
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Jorge Polanco signs with New York Mets
The Minnesota Twins flipped Jorge Polanco to the Seattle Mariners prior to the 2024 season. He posted just a 92 OPS+ and re-upped with the AL West franchise for a one-year deal last season. His postseason heroics and career-best 134 OPS+ earned him a nice payday.
The two-year deal checks in at $40 million and guarantees him an average of $20 million a season. That’s a massive payday for a guy who has never previously made more than $10.5 million in a season.
New York Mets owner Steve Cohen is worth $23 billion so this is just a drop in the bucket for him. However, it’s hard not to wonder if it’s something of an overpay. Outside of his 138 games played last season, he had averaged just 101 games per season the prior three seasons. Knee injuries have hampered his performance and he is now 32 years old.
The New York Mets are moving Polanco to first base. From a health perspective that should certainly save his knees. However, it’s also a direct reflection of New York losing their coveted Polar Bear. Pete Alonso signed a five-year deal worth $155 million to join the Baltimore Orioles .
With nearly 8,000 career innings logged Polanco has not once played first base. Add in another nearly 3,000 minor league innings and he has never played first base their either.
Minnesota needs first base help this season. but paying Polanco $20 million a year was never going to be on the table. It will be worth monitoring to see if it goes sideways for the Mets.
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