Hip, Hip, Jorge!!

[goulik]

Jorge Polanco has been a core part of the Minnesota Twins infield for years now but over the past year or two, he seems to be an overlooked or at least under discussed part of the team. I believe he is an under appreciated star of the team overshadowed by the super star talent in CF. The often discussed Center Fielder and his injuries take the spot light off Polanco. He was locked up early with a contract that runs through 2024 with a team option for 2025 meaning there is just less to talk about with him. We just know he is there making solid production and glove work and we move on to other topics. His salaries the next 3 years would be $7.5 in 2023 and $10.5 in 2024. The 2025 option is for 12 million dollars and comes with a 1 million buyout. Today Polanco is 29 which means he will be a free agent at age 31 or 32.

Jorge has been a Minnesota Twin since 2009 when he received his signing bonus and became a professional baseball player. He made his first appearance in the show in 2014, and again in 2015 before becoming a regular part of the team with the young core of players that emerged in 2016. Since then he has been an all star (at short stop) and a reliable middle of the order player at 2nd base ever since.

I know we’re still a couple years away but now I’m wondering if we can, should and/or will make him a career Twin. When discussing a career, the  biggest question is always “how long will he play” which runs side by side with “how long will he be effective”. Questions that arise in markets like Minnesota also ask “how long can we afford him” and “should we find a cheaper prospect and trade him”. So even though we are still 2-3 years away from him becoming a free agent, How do you envision the remainder of his professional career progressing? Will we lock him up for life? Will we eventually trade him and go younger/cheaper? How old will he be when he retires? There is little science in answering this question but what do you predict for the remainder of Polanco’s career?

[Richie the Rally Goat]

My Polanco shirzey is well worn and the lettering is half washed off. I love Polanco and the steady and consistent presence he’s provided over the years.

I have no idea, but will jump at the chance yell

Hip, Hip! Jorge!

[Paul Walerius]

On 10/20/2022 at 9:11 AM, goulik said:

Jorge Polanco has been a core part of the Minnesota Twins infield for years now but over the past year or two, he seems to be an overlooked or at least under discussed part of the team. I believe he is an under appreciated star of the team overshadowed by the super star talent in CF. The often discussed Center Fielder and his injuries take the spot light off Polanco. He was locked up early with a contract that runs through 2024 with a team option for 2025 meaning there is just less to talk about with him. We just know he is there making solid production and glove work and we move on to other topics. His salaries the next 3 years would be $7.5 in 2023 and $10.5 in 2024. The 2025 option is for 12 million dollars and comes with a 1 million buyout. Today Polanco is 29 which means he will be a free agent at age 31 or 32.

Jorge has been a Minnesota Twin since 2009 when he received his signing bonus and became a professional baseball player. He made his first appearance in the show in 2014, and again in 2015 before becoming a regular part of the team with the young core of players that emerged in 2016. Since then he has been an all star (at short stop) and a reliable middle of the order player at 2nd base ever since.

I know we’re still a couple years away but now I’m wondering if we can, should and/or will make him a career Twin. When discussing a career, the  biggest question is always “how long will he play” which runs side by side with “how long will he be effective”. Questions that arise in markets like Minnesota also ask “how long can we afford him” and “should we find a cheaper prospect and trade him”. So even though we are still 2-3 years away from him becoming a free agent, How do you envision the remainder of his professional career progressing? Will we lock him up for life? Will we eventually trade him and go younger/cheaper? How old will he be when he retires? There is little science in answering this question but what do you predict for the remainder of Polanco’s career?

He hasn't been healthy the last couple years.    With Arreaz more natural position being 2B, (Miranda, Kirilloff can play 1B) I feel like he is not going to be around much longer.  

[FlyingFinn]

I love how Polanco has played the last few years. He plays even when he is banged up. But we moved him to 2B to save his body. That worked for awhile. Now, he seems to have back issues among other injuries. I think the Twins will keep him this year but if it was me, I would trade him because I think the injuries will only increase. and I think his value is decreasing and we have Arraez and so many good minor league players who can play 2B.

[stringer bell]

12 hours ago, Paul Walerius said:

He hasn't been healthy the last couple years.    With Arreaz more natural position being 2B, (Miranda, Kirilloff can play 1B) I feel like he is not going to be around much longer.  

I think more accurately, he hasn’t been healthy except for 2021. Polanco had ankle surgery in both 2019 and 2020 IIRC. While he had some nicks in ‘21, he played in 152 games and was the Twins best and most consistent player. 

[Linus]

Yea I think Jorge is under appreciated. If you made me choose between him and Arreaz I would take Jorge every time. He’s a really good fielder at second and a pretty complete hitter who is a switch hitter. Chances also are all the prospects everyone loves will never be as good as Jorge 

[Doctor Gast]

Jorge Polanco is a very good player. One thing he needs to improve is telling Baldelli when he is hurting otherwise he'll run him to the ground. Polanco played great during the '21  2nd half season, playing hurt cost him '22 great 2nd half production he should have had. When someone is hurt, take care of it, not force him to limp around playing much less than 100%.

[DocBauer]

Absolutely one of my favorite players. And, IMO, one of their very best. I think he's vastly underrated by many. He's a competent SS but a fine 2B. He hits, gets OB, makes contact, is very difficult to SO, has legitimate XB and HR power, runs the bases well, and is one of my top choices to be at the plate in a clutch situation.  His only negative was a year and a half of ankle issues that decimated his production, though he still played. I believe he was in the top 2-3 of most all Twins offensive categories the first half of 2022 before an injured second half. I may be wrong, but it was his back and/or something else but not his ankles. So that may be a good thing??

Still only 29yo, I think he has a lot of ball left in him. I don't think he's going anywhere for the next couple of years, and that is very much a good thing. HOWEVER, and I almost hate myself for saying this, I can see a few different scenarios over the next couple of seasons whereby Lewis, Martin, and Julien may be younger, cheaper, possibly healthier, and possibly just as productive. But for now, I just want him 100% for 2023 to help lead the offense.

[stringer bell]

So the question becomes, can the Twins thrive with a team containing both Arraez and Polanco? I think they can, but it will require someone moving to other positions quite frequently. Arraez can play first, second and third. Miranda can play first and third and Kirilloff, if healthy, can play first and the outfield corners. 

[RpR]

32 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

So the question becomes, can the Twins thrive with a team containing both Arraez and Polanco? I think they can, but it will require someone moving to other positions quite frequently. Arraez can play first, second and third. Miranda can play first and third and Kirilloff, if healthy, can play first and the outfield corners. 

NEVER let Arraez play third base, ditto for Miranda, other teams would be salivating at that possibility.

[goulik]

I do not think Arraez is physically able to handle being the regular 2nd or 3rd baseman which relegates him to 1B or DH.  Therefore, no, he should not and will not displace Polanco. As DocBauer said, the more likely Twins thing to occur is Polanco being replaced with cheaper Julien/Martin/Etc... as they come up from the minors. I could even see Gordon playing his way into being the everyday 2B if our normal outfielders keep themselves healthy enough to not need Gordon in the outfield. Also, Martin may push Gordon as the Super Utility player sooner than later, meaning someone will fade into Twins history shortly after Urshela.

[tony&rodney]

Jorge is a key piece for the Twins to be a decent team. The front office needs to determine whether Polo will be the stalwart player he has been or an often injured guy from this past year. Rosters are all about balance and risks. If Polanco is pumped to play for the Minnesota Twins for a couple of more years, I keep him and trade another guy.

[wabene]

This team needs quality depth. If Jorge is healthy it is a no brainer he plays. What I want to see with the Twins is if Polo is dinged up, he doesn't play until he is healthy. Right now I'm ok with Luis at second filling in. Hopefully you have AK, Urshela, Miranda for further infield depth. A stop gap SS. Martin and Julien for further depth. Then Gordon along with a good righty bat for outfield depth. 

[rv78]

Polanco needs to stay a Twin at least through his current contract. He is the one guy that can carry the team offensively for a week or two at a time. Being a switch hitter also helps to keep him in the lineup with Rocco over-using his lefty/righty analytical BS. The Twins need to decide what they are going to do at 1B. Is the plan going forward a combo of Arraez and Miranda with  Urshela at 3B? How confident are they about having a healthy Larnach and Kirilloff for 2023? If they think both will be ready to roll I'd move Kepler in a trade for another bullpen arm or backup to Buxton that isn't just a defensive specialist. Kepler's been a hole in the lineup since his one and only career year in 2019. If all they want is someone who can play defense in the outfield they can go with a cheap Celestino instead of Kepler, which is about all he's become. I'd like to see Wallner play all of 2023 in AAA and show me he isn't just a HR happy pull hitter like Kepler before he gets a lot of playing time in the bigs. Will also need another catcher to platoon with Jeffers. Oh, yeah, that dog-gone SS position needs someone too. With this FO I wouldn't be surprised to see an infield of Arraez-1B, Polanco-2B, Urshela-SS and Miranda-3B, with Gordon rotating in and out of 2B and SS with those guys sliding to different spots as well. When the 2022 season started I thought this team would be able to actually go for it in 2023, with Lewis, Kirilloff, Larnach all having a full major league season under their belts. Now it looks to be another wait and see season before we know how good they will be. 

[Riverbrian]

On 10/22/2022 at 8:05 PM, RpR said:

NEVER let Arraez play third base, ditto for Miranda, other teams would be salivating at that possibility.

Teams were salivating over the the Phillies defense this year. ?