The Twins pulled off a significant trade this evening, sending second baseman Jorge Polanco to the Mariners for a four-player return. While Minnesota brought back a pair of MLB players — Justin Topa and Anthony DeSclafani — in the deal, that’s coming at a fairly modest financial cost.
DeSclafani is due $12MM for the upcoming season. The Giants agreed to pay $6MM in the trade that initially sent the veteran righty to Seattle. Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times reports that the M’s are sending that $6MM plus an unspecified portion of the $6MM they’d owed to DeSclafani themselves. Dan Hayes and Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic report that Seattle is sending an additional $2MM, bringing the cash considerations to $8MM in total.
Polanco is set to receive $10.5MM, while Topa is making $1.25MM. There’s a $9.25MM gap between those two salaries, and the Twins are taking on $4MM owed to DeSclafani. The deal saves Minnesota $5.25MM in payroll room.
Falvey told reporters Minnesota expects to reallocate those savings into the roster (relayed by Dan Hayes of the Athletic). He suggested the team was likely to look for help on the position player side after acquiring a reliever and a rotation option in the Polanco trade (via Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com).
The front office leader didn’t specify any players or positions of interest. At the beginning of the offseason, Falvey suggested the club would evaluate the first base market. They haven’t made any additions there thus far and are presently set to count on Alex Kirilloff, who has had wrist and shoulder surgeries in his career.
Speculatively speaking, a right-handed hitting outfielder would also make sense. Minnesota has a corner outfield group consisting of left-handed bats like Max Kepler, Matt Wallner and Nick Gordon. Gold Glover Byron Buxton is optimistic about his chance of moving back to center field after knee injuries limited him to DH in 2023. The Twins could still look for a center field option to back up Buxton given his injury history. Last year’s primary center fielder, Michael A. Taylor, remains unsigned.
In November, Hayes reported that Minnesota expected to open the season with a player payroll in the $125-140MM range. Roster Resource projected their spending around $124MM before tonight’s trade. Moving Polanco reduces those commitments to roughly $119MM.
Note: This post initially indicated that Seattle was covering $6MM of DeSclafani’s salary in addition to the $6MM included by San Francisco. The specific amount being covered by the Mariners beyond the initial $6MM from the Giants is $2MM. MLBTR apologizes for the error.
I thought the Twins were leaving Minnesota for a second.
I don’t think they need a 1B. They have Brooks Lee ready to go, which means they have a solid infield rotation w/ Joulien getting some days at 1B and Kirilloff some at DH
Would much rather they brought back Taylor, who turned out to be a critical piece last year
Bubba Thompson should do well to replace Michael Taylor, with more potential upside long term, and a savings to the Twins payroll.
Yeah thought the Twins were leaving Minnesota for a 2nd to, it’s nice to know the Twins are cutting out coupons now.
Whoa Seattle taking on money
payroll still down about $20 million from where they said it would be (…at least at ~2023 levels)
Where’s the starting pitcher in return?
Interesting, so DeSclafani is free for the Twins?
Yes
Sorry, that’s my mistake. I misread Divish’s report, which says the Mariners are sending the $6MM from the Giants plus additional cash, not sending $6MM of their own.
The specific amount that he’ll cost Minnesota isn’t clear yet. It’s less than $6MM but not necessarily zero. That’s on me, not Divish.
Seems like the Twins need a center fielder, a 1b, a 6th starter type who could potentially pitch in the pen and perhaps another pen piece.
Not sure they can get all that for 10 million.
Nah, just a power hitting RH 1B/LF. Those types are around and aren’t super expensive. Although he’s not a 1B, I could see them going for Soler.
Twins lost Solano, Gallo, Taylor and Polanco. Seems like they need at least 2 players back. Otherwise they will be counting on some unproven and unhealthy players a bit too much.
Probably need Taylor back at 6 million or so a year. Perhaps Will Myers too.
They needed 0 players back for dropping those guys. It just removed log jams. The Twins’ infield is still deeper than necessary.
Taylor’s direct replacement is probably Castro, which should be fine so long as Buxton can play his 60-80 games in CF this year.
Wallner/Buxton/Kepler are the starting outfielders. Castro/Gordon fill the back up outfielder roles.
There is no way they want to replace 4 players with in house options. Teams like the Pirates and Rays don’t even do that.
Castro is a utility guy and Buxton in center most likely won’t last.
@BlackpInk In the area –
Gallo was only playing because of injuries to other players and the Twins kept him off the playoff roster for a reason. He was negative value after mid-May. A AAA replacement player is better. He’s replaced by the far superior Wallner in the OF, and Kirilloff/Miranda at 1B.
Solano was fine, but he was a depth signing. He produced 1.2 fWAR in 134 games. He only saw the playing time he got because Kirilloff, Miranda and Lewis were on the IL. Solano can’t really cover 2B/3B anymore. He’s replaced by Kirilloff/Miranda.
Michael A. Taylor produced 1.7 fWAR for the Twins last year. He had a near career year with the bat, but that’s not something a team should expect. He’s slowing down and his defensive metrics in CF are good, but he’s no Buxton. He’s replaced in CF by a dramatically superior Byron Buxton and Willi Castro, who will no longer have the option of filling in at 3B with a healthy Lewis and Farmer.
It’s expected that Polanco will be replaced by Julien, but just as likely Austin Martin or Brooks Lee or Nick Gordon will take over 2B. In any case, the Twins have like 6 guys who have shown enough to start at 2B.
Of the players you listed, only Jorge Polanco is a legitimate starter on a playoff team.
Think Duvall headed to the twin cities.
I like the fit but not sure they can afford him. Certainly a good fit.
DeScaflani for nothing????
And that outfielder?
… and chicks for free…
The clicks are free too.
Desclafani for -$2MM. The Mariners owed $6MM on him, they paid the Twins $8MM.
time to move out of minneapolis. Team doesn’t care about spending and winning. Also, the fans aren’t diverse at all. Just go to a twins game
You really put the “Liberal” in “Liberalsteve”.
Stop virtue signaling and do something productive. If liberals know what that means, at least.
Diverse? Are you serious? Do I really have to get on a soapbox in 2024 about not judging someone by the color of their skin? It’s ok that white people watch baseball.
For all the talk of “false flags,” in various contexts, you smarties are still stumped by the inanity of someone billed as “liberal Steve.”
People have the freedom to like whatever they want, regardless of their race, religion, or political beliefs. Maybe it’s time to move out of the United States. I’m not sure where you’re going to find the outcome you seek…
I’m white and I love baseball. Oh God I’m part of a diversity problem. Foh.
Remember, according to woke culture you are automatically racist if you’re white!
Are you ignorant or stupid?
Sweat deal for the twins. A SP option for free, a RP for next to nothing, two prospects and a free agent. All that just for 1 year of polanco..polanco is good but julien will be just fine imo
Yeah Twins looking good in this one. They need it after the Reds heist lol.
Resign Taylor now
Bubba Thompson is more than an adequate replacement for Michael A. Taylor. Bubba is 8 years younger than Taylor, faster than Buxton, and will work for league minimum.
I hope not.
Welcome back Taylor! Or maybe they hold it for one of the Boras clients who will need a not so soft pillow to land on hahahaha
So Falvey says they will look at position players with the savings. They must think Desclafani’s elbow is okay. Surprised Hancock wasn’t part of the return. Hope there is more pitching coming our way from somewhere.
Michael A Taylor and Adam Duvall solve the remaining holes. Duvall can play 1st and OF so they can platoon at 1st and keep his bat in the lineup..They both hit 21 HR in 2023.
The Twins could use another option for the rotation but if they’re going to prioritize 1b, Carlos Santana would be a safe, affordable upgrade over Alex Kirilloff. Plus, he’s a switch hitter with strong splits from the right side.
That actually sounds like a good way to go about it! Him and kirloff can both alternate from first and dh and keep them fresh and in the lineup. I also like what other commenters have said about Duvall and bringing Taylor back. They have options and any of those 3 would help and not be too utterly expensive.
Perhaps Matt Canterino can step up and make a challenge for the back of the rotation for the Twins this season?
The Twins plan to spend the money saved.
Take note Padres.
If anyone is so inclined.. this Twins team is starting to get intriguing, like the deal, Topa is solid, with the Crew he was getting high leverage 7/8th inning opportunities from craig Counsell in a talented pen, then dealt with injuries and of course picked it back up last year with Seattle, Topa/Duran=very solid late inning relievers, then when they’re in contention add a few more arms at the deadline, the pen could be solid if unspectacular, then consider guys like wallner(150+Hrs) Correa(170+Hrs) then Buxton(as much power as possibly anyone) and the fact that none of them are even close to mid thirties/they’re relatively young and if they can Ryan Braun it this season and get close to their “mean” ish numbers for their early-mid thirties seasons as well as back to their solid D, those are all 3.5-4+War guys, of course Julian/Jeffers/Lewis are absolute beasts and looking at C. Vasquez’s numbers, well it looks like from his career trends he’s due to at least be on the right side of .700 with the OPS, with Lopez/Ober being more solid if unspectacular pitchers, if paddock and DeSclafani can join that Solid/unspectacular group (which their potential/talent indicates they’re long overdue for) this team is again beginning to intrigue a bit more than initially anticipated and if they’re willing to add another 10+mil to payroll (particularly on pitching) plus the potential deadline deals, this team could surprise, or they could surprise for six weeks then slump for two then rake for two then slump.. well u get the picture, nonetheless I believe a team that will offer great opportunities to bet on with their explosive offense (particularly against back end rotation righties ect.) against certain matchups, of course I’m excited for The Crew to hopefully repeat as Central Champs and the Tigers could give them a run for their money but thinking these Twins also have a great shot at repeating as champs, great for baseball in the Midwest that’s for sure, can’t wait for spring training!
I still don’t love this deal for the mariners….
If the Twins plan on spending 5M+, why not bring back Taylor? One of the strengths of the team last year was decent/good depth. Buxton can’t be counted on to remain healthy, even if we all hope for the best for him. Taylor is solid, great fielder with speed and some power, he would be a solid get.
If the Polanco trade nets them Taylor in addition to what they got back, I love the deal for the Twins.
Why bring back Taylor when they already grabbed Bubba Thompson?
I assume you are joking? Taylor has averaged a 2.5 WAR the past 3 years while Bubba can’t hit a lick and was -0.4 last year. That would be why.
Taylor can’t hit either. Career wRC+ 82, and only Baseball Reference thinks Taylor is a 2.5 WAR player. Fangraphs has him averaging more like 1.7 in full seasons.
Thompson I don’t hold in high regard. He’s a Taylor ceiling kinda guy, but the Twins are okay with Castro in CF and Gordon as a 4th OF.
Because Taylor is aging, just had a career year and is a strikeout machine with limited on base skills who will cost more than he’ll contribute if Buxton is healthy enough to start in CF this year?
I like the trade, but I still think we need another pitcher to slot in ABOVE most of our 3-5 type starters. If Lopez goes down with an injury we have no ace or number one pitcher. Problem is, we don’t have the money or the trade capital to acquire a TOR pitcher. I’d like to see Duvall or Santana platooning at 1st base with Kiriloff.
Also no Sonny money which ended up as a pretty penny. Wondering how the allocations will go???
I wouldn’t mind seeing the Twins sign Dallas Keuchel and Tommy Milone to Minor League contracts with a Spring Training invite as depth for the Twins starting rotation.