Second Base Is Twins Most Intriguing Position in 2023

[Ted Schwerzler]

Coming into the season last year the Minnesota Twins had a decent amount of roster uncertainty in more than a few areas. As they look to 2023, it’s hard to view anywhere but second base as the most intriguing position.

 

Image courtesy of Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports

Short of Alex Kirilloff not being healthy and failing to open the year at first base for the Minnesota Twins, all eyes should be on second base for Rocco Baldelli. Carlos Correa was brought back to be Minnesota’s shortstop for at least the next handful of years, and he’ll be flanked by both Jose Miranda and Jorge Polanco. We don’t yet know how Miranda will hold things down taking over the hot corner for Gio Urshela, but Polanco and his role couldn’t be more under a microscope.

In 2019, as a member of the Bomba Squad, Jorge Polanco was named an All-Star starter and received MVP votes. He blasted a career-best 22 home runs, and his .841 OPS was substantially above what we’d seen to that point. He followed that up with a disappointing 2020 season and then underwent another ankle surgery. In 2021, he rebounded nicely hitting an even better 33 dingers, and his .826 OPS had him again looking like a superstar.

Unfortunately, injury was the theme last year for Polanco, and he played in just 104 games after dealing with knee tendinitis. Recently talking to The Athletic’s Dan Hayes, Polanco said, “I don’t feel anything. I think it’s part of the process. It’s why I’m going slow, so I can start building up from there and I start doing more things. Once I start doing that, I think I’ll be ready to go. … I feel good right now. It’s just the plan. We’ve got a plan. I’ve got to get my knee ready. We’re just going with the plan to start slow and build up until I’m ready to play.”

It’s great that he doesn’t feel pain, but it’s not exactly comforting that he’s coming off the season he had and entering the final year of his five-year extension. Polanco will need to be more of what he was in 2019 and 2021 if Baldelli can count on him at second base this year, and availability could be the chief concern.

As Correa now has shortstop locked down into the foreseeable future, it’s Polanco’s second base where any number of prospects could contribute for the Twins. Royce Lewis looked like a big leaguer during his brief cameo last season, and he should be available sometime this summer. Brooks Lee blitzed through the system after being taken in the first round, and Austin Martin focusing on hitting for average again could have him making a short stop at Triple-A as well. Each of those names appears more likely to factor in on the dirt, and taking over for an absent Polanco seems relatively straightforward.

Playing in his age-29 season, Polanco will be looking to put up good numbers heading into free agency. He does have a $10.5 million vesting option with the Twins should he reach 550 plate appearances this year, but that’s not something he’ll sniff if there is any significant amount of missed action. As the Twins look towards the future and must figure out how to shift their infield following the presence of Correa, this year could not be any larger for Polanco.

The front office has the benefit of starting a guy who has shown to compete at a very high level. Polanco has already proven what he’s capable of, but the Twins need to see that return to the forefront immediately in 2023. Each of the depth options behind him will certainly be pushing for their opportunity on the farm, and having realistic options is a great problem to have. Minnesota added to the possibilities earlier this week when they signed veteran Donovan Solano to a one-year deal as well. He could get plenty of run at second base, and has been a starter at the highest level there previously.

Whether Minnesota would prefer for Polanco to be on the Opening Day roster in 2024 remains to be seen, but he can answer a lot of those questions on his own simply by being healthy enough to compete. Polanco hasn’t seen a substantial defensive boost moving to the opposite side of the diamond, and while that isn’t the outcome that was hoped for, his bat can carry him just like it did his predecessor Brian Dozier.

If there is a place on the diamond for Minnesota to have in the front of their minds as they evaluate how to get the best from the roster this season, it will be second base as a reflection of which Polanco is present.

View full article

[roger]

Interesting that there is no mention of Julien.  Gotta believe one of either Lewis or Lee will end up at third.  But that still leaves three prospects for second.

The signing of Solano is still puzzling to me.  Seems like the Twins are going all in for 2023 and want his bat versus lefties in their lineup.  Unfortunately that blocks one of the few potential openings for these young kids.

[Rosterman]

Kirilloff has to shine to stay at 1B. He can also play the infield. But an average season might make him expendable if....

Miranda shines. Jose could be the first baseman of the future because...

We have to find a position for Lewis, Martin, Lee....

And Julien could also be in the mix, and maybe Julien could also be shuffled to first base.

That's not even considering names like Severino, Shuffield, Holland, Miller and more than could be as litle as two years out.

[PDX Twin]

1 hour ago, roger said:

The signing of Solano is still puzzling to me.  Seems like the Twins are going all in for 2023 and want his bat versus lefties in their lineup.  Unfortunately that blocks one of the few potential openings for these young kids.

And unless he is batting right at the top of the lineup, Solano is likely to get at most two AB against a lefty starter before the (likely RH) bullpen takes over.

[farmerguychris]

I can't see any way Polanco is still a Twin this time next year.  He likely won't get that many at bats to vest his option.  His $10M salary isn't worth it when we have so many younger, cheaper guys waiting in the wings.  I would expect that IF he starts off well, and IF the prospects also do well in the minors, we could have a mid season trade of Polanco to someone who needs a 2nd or SS to bring one of the younger guys up and hopefully get a return for Polanco.  If the younger guys are doing well - I would support this kind of move.  Can't keep everyone and need a place for the younger guys to play.

[chpettit19]

This looks like the perfect situation for the Twins. They have a wave of prospects pushing for their chances, but have a major league roster full of proven MLB talent (not a bunch of stars, but a bunch of guys who've been really solid). I know we're all excited about the prospects, but the hard truth is that a number of them will fail. Arraez had no spot going into 2019, but by the end of the year he'd taken Schoop's job, and Schoop was gone the next year. Miranda had no spot going into 2022 (and none of these prospects have had a season like Miranda had in 2021), but by the end of the year he'd taken Urshela's job, and Urshela is gone now.

This is how it's supposed to work. Preferably the Miranda/Urshela situation so you can trade the vet for a low level prospect to add to the next wave. We all want Julien, Lewis, Lee, Martin, et al to produce. We want them to take the jobs of vets who aren't performing up to the needed level of production. And some will. If Polanco has his typical odd year production I'd much rather have him than bank on any of the prospects early. But if we've actually seen the start of the decline then it's great to have some guys with real shots to take his place. If Polanco has his typical odd year production, and prospects start to show their worth in their various opportunities, then Polanco is a great trade chip next offseason (or at the deadline if a couple prospects have really taken jobs by then) for an upgrade somewhere on the roster. I was leaning towards the FO being replaced, but I think this has been their best work yet, and, for the first time, they look like they may actually have set this team up for continued success.

[Ted Schwerzler]

2 hours ago, roger said:

Interesting that there is no mention of Julien.  Gotta believe one of either Lewis or Lee will end up at third.  But that still leaves three prospects for second.

The signing of Solano is still puzzling to me.  Seems like the Twins are going all in for 2023 and want his bat versus lefties in their lineup.  Unfortunately that blocks one of the few potential openings for these young kids.

I don't know that Julien is more than a DH. He's going to force Minnesota's hand with his bat, but he's a lesser defender than even Polanco.

Solano is a fine depth addition, but forcing a 26-year-old Larnach to AAA for it is suboptimal IMO

[Ted Schwerzler]

43 minutes ago, farmerguychris said:

I can't see any way Polanco is still a Twin this time next year.  He likely won't get that many at bats to vest his option.  His $10M salary isn't worth it when we have so many younger, cheaper guys waiting in the wings.  I would expect that IF he starts off well, and IF the prospects also do well in the minors, we could have a mid season trade of Polanco to someone who needs a 2nd or SS to bring one of the younger guys up and hopefully get a return for Polanco.  If the younger guys are doing well - I would support this kind of move.  Can't keep everyone and need a place for the younger guys to play.

The ONLY reason I can't get completely on board with this is chemistry. Correa and Polanco are pretty tight. Obviously that could've been said for Arraez as well and they made that move. I'd agree though, Polanco isn't with the Twins in 2024.

[Blyleven2011]

Will Polanco be on the twins roster in 2024 ...

Go ask Correa as he is part of the plan in who stays and who goes ...

I like Polanco and always have , a switch hitter is a plus , if your going to replace him apples to apples then brook Lee is the  one to take away Polanco's job , Julien isn't a solid defender , Lewis has a strong arm for third , Martin is most likely destined for the outfield  ...

Polanco will have a solid season  in 2023 if his health remains ...

 

[sun]

I'm not concerned about Polanco's health this year, Last year was an outlier year because he's been such a workhorse while carrying the team in previous years and was being underpaid to boot.  The Twins have coverage for every emergency this year, and can even provide 2 IF players with a day off at the same time, & even if one IF gets injured. The AAA prospects need to wait for their opportunity plain & simple. Lewis is my primary interest & I think that Solano may be more of a platoon at 1B & backup at 2B when needed.

Any player can end up becoming a rental at the trade deadline depending on where the Twins are in the standings, but I doubt that the Twins will trade Jorge if he's producing like an All Star. The Twins will be a better team with both Lewis & Polanco this year than without them.  I just hope that Polanco gets to vest independent of whether he's a trade candidate next year or not. He's generally delivered when the pressure is on like a true pro. If Lewis pans out then IDK how long Farmer will stick either. He's older than Polanco and doesn't switch hit. It depends on whether Lewis can back up SS or not after surgery, and should not be based on how much Polanco will be paid next year if he vests.

[Squirrel]

18 minutes ago, Blyleven2011 said:

Go ask Correa as he is part of the plan in who stays and who goes ...

What does this mean? That Correa is telling the FO who stays and who goes and who should be signed?

[rwilfong86]

2 hours ago, Rosterman said:

Kirilloff has to shine to stay at 1B. He can also play the infield. But an average season might make him expendable if....

Miranda shines. Jose could be the first baseman of the future because...

We have to find a position for Lewis, Martin, Lee....

And Julien could also be in the mix, and maybe Julien could also be shuffled to first base.

That's not even considering names like Severino, Shuffield, Holland, Miller and more than could be as litle as two years out.

Are you saying Kirilloff can play the infield or Polanco?

[tony&rodney]

There is some irony that we question, with some justification, the future of a 29 year old Jorge Polanco on the Twins squad. Polanco has been the best overall Twins player for a few years now. Last season was his first time on the IL. But things change and Jorge will need to rebound too, with all of the other guys seeking a return to full health.

[miracleb]

"It’s why I’m going slow, so I can start building up from there and I start doing more things. Once I start doing that, I think I’ll be ready to go. … I feel good right now. It’s just the plan."

*********************************

Boy, that build up should have started a couple of months ago....not yesterday!  Either he is an "old timer" who comes unprepared to Spring Training to "get in shape"........or.......he is still affected by the knee and we therefore NEED Solano.  I don't like either of those options!

And yes to PDX....there are not any great options to lead-off.....it will be Solano against lefties!

[Major League Ready]

I am in no hurry to get rid of Polanco but it would be a good thing if a prospect forced their hand.

[Major League Ready]

23 minutes ago, miracleb said:

And yes to PDX....there are not any great options to lead-off.....it will be Solano against lefties!

Farmer has much better career stats than Solano against lefties.  There is little difference in Solano's splits where Farmer is much better against LHP.

[Doctor Gast]

"Unfortunately, injury was the theme last year for Polanco, and he played in just 104 games after dealing with knee tendinitis."

You make it sound like he had knee tendonitis all year which limited him to 104 games. In June he went on the IL (for the 1st time since his days at Cedar Rapids) for back stress. He was on the IL for about 2 weeks and didn't have anymore back problems. 

Best solution for knee tendonitis is rest but Polanco played thru it after he had injured his knee sliding home Aug. 15. That's what escalated the severity to point of missing the rest of the season. Everyone gets hurt, he's had about 5 months of rehab & treatment and he feels fine. This new trainer wants to be cautious which is fine but it's nothing to be worried about.

 

[weitz41]

I'm not in a hurry to move on from Polanco.

Lewis at 2nd seems like a waste of his tools. Lee looks like a 3rd baseman to my eyes. Martin might be his biggest threat IMO. But that's 20-25 homeruns lost to the offense. Maybe Julien if he can play passable defense. I think Polanco is the best of the lot overall at 2nd for a couple more seasons.

Lee and Lewis are probably the closest to a sure thing as MLB players. The others have their warts, and I wouldn't want to plan on them just yet.

[DocBauer]

Not trying to sound negative, but I disagree as to 2B being the most intriguing position for 2023. I am just as intrigued by Kirilloff and 1B as I am 2B. A healthy Krilloff is a potential game changer for 2023 and beyond. Even if the Twins decide to ramp him up at AAA initially...just a possibility...the kid can be a difference maker.

I do think Julien should absolutely be included in the discussion here. While it's hard to determine how good/average he might ever be defensively, he will more than likely get better with repetition, not worse. I think he will end up at 1B/2B/DH, and HOPING he will prove adequate at either 3B or LF just to provide a little more roster flexibility. I don't see Martin at 2B, but could be proven wrong. I believe he's destined for the OF, with the ability to cover both 3B/2B, his primary college positions.

At some point, perhaps very soon, Lee and Lewis are going to be ready. And frankly, I don't care where they play. They are both going to be good/very good, IMO. Lewis might be an excellent OF, and I'm fine with that idea. But I strongly object to any arguement that he would be wasted at 2B. While 2B is generally not considered a premium defensive position, what on earth would be wrong with having a premium defensive player there? Lewis has the potential to be a great/outstanding glove there with a premium bat. The ONLY WAY he'd be wasted at 2B would be if a substantially lesser player was taking up a position spot somewhere else, AND, the Twins had another fine defensive/offensive player available to play 2B. Now, maybe Lewis takes over 3B and Lee takes over 2B. Is Lee being wasted at 2B? You try to accumulate the most talent you can and then you find a place to play them all. Lewis wouldn't be wasted at 2B, IF that's where the Twins believe he can fit best and make the most difference.

I don't like the idea of Larnach POSSIBLY being initially squeezed out of a roster spot. He's looked really good when healthy and doesn't belong at AAA. However, 2019 was his last full season. So playing every day and ready for a call up isn't such a terrible thing. Besides, how often is EVERY player healthy and on the roster? Solano provides additional, quality depth and experience, especially if Farmer were pressed in to any extended playing time for someone on the IL. And no need to rush anyone up to provide depth when you have a veteran like him available.

I'm starting to think the #1 spot in the order might be manned mostly by Gordon against RHP, provided he's what we saw in 2022, and Farmer, and possibly Solano, against LHP to just be a solid bat and keep Polanco in his customary 3-4 spot in the lineup and producing runs.

And speaking of Polanco, finally, I'm also in no rush to move on from him. Guy is a BALLPLAYER, and a damned good one when his legs are healthy. Despite offense being down across the league in 2022, especially early, he was one of the Twins best producers before his knee went bad. So while 2022 was an "even" year, he was still good. As long as his knee is sound...and I applaud a measured approach initially to make that happen...he can and should be vital for 2023. I have faith he's going to have a good season.

But the reality is, simply, he might not be with the Twins beyond this year, or 2024. He's not old. He's good. But when younger, cheaper, and highly talented players are ready, you need to make room for them. A lot of things have to happen in order for him to be traded, but I can see it happening. I tend to doubt it though, as a healthy and productive Polanco should mean a lot to a, HOPEFULLY, winning and contending Twins team. I think he remains a Twin for 2023...and then we see what happens.

[2wins87]

8 hours ago, farmerguychris said:

I can't see any way Polanco is still a Twin this time next year.  He likely won't get that many at bats to vest his option.  His $10M salary isn't worth it when we have so many younger, cheaper guys waiting in the wings.  I would expect that IF he starts off well, and IF the prospects also do well in the minors, we could have a mid season trade of Polanco to someone who needs a 2nd or SS to bring one of the younger guys up and hopefully get a return for Polanco.  If the younger guys are doing well - I would support this kind of move.  Can't keep everyone and need a place for the younger guys to play.

With healthy legs he could hit 30+ HR and play plus defense at 2B.

I'm not sure where his health will be at but I'm not assuming he won't be healthy, in which case it's very easy to envision a scenario where he's easily worth 2-3x his $10 million option.

Maybe he's still trade bait in that scenario, but if they're contending and he's like their 3rd best position player no way he's moved before the deadline. And they'll have to get a very good offer for him in the off-season as well.

[RaoulDuke]

The best case scenario is Polanco is healthy and hitting for the 1st half making him a valuable trade piece. 

Correa is locked in, Miranda/ Lewis/ Lee are the future and need a spot to play.  Kirilloff hopefully regains form putting him in that category as well.  Gordon/ Farmer/ Solano are solid almost starters depth.  Julien is lurking in the minors as well.

They are going to sell some infielders once the dust has settled more.  Polanco has been a great Twin but hes getting expensive and the farm is nipping at his heels. 

 

[Heiny]

I think the main focus should be on this year and winning the division, not quite so much the future.  I'm thinking that we have alot of depth for this years playoff run.

1b - Kirilloff, Farmer, Solano, Miranda, Gallo

2b-Polanco, Farmer, Solano, Lewis, Lee

ss-Correa, Farmer, Lewis

3b-Miranda, Farmer, Solano, Lewis, Lee

C- Vasquez, Jeffers

lf-Gallo, Gordon, Larnach,Taylor, Martin

cf-Buxton, Taylor, Gordon, Gallo, Martin

rf-Kepler, Gallo, Larnach, Taylor

We have a lot of pieces we could move around and still be solid everywhere.  I don't think we should be trading anyone before the deadline unless injuries dictate it, or we could pick up another solid catcher.  To me it's the catcher position that intrigues me the most.  That is where an injury to one of Vasquez or Jeffers could really drag the team down.  As for the future, I don't see any reason to give up on any of our top prospects at this point.  It is very possible that several of the prospect position players become stars.  I think we should play this season as we stand and worry about 24 after 23 is over. I think with any luck in the health department we win the division.  And playoffs is like a whole new season.  Anything can happen.  See you at the ballpark.  Should be a fun and exciting season.

[Doctor Gast]

10 hours ago, DocBauer said:

Not trying to sound negative, but I disagree as to 2B being the most intriguing position for 2023. I am just as intrigued by Kirilloff and 1B as I am 2B. A healthy Krilloff is a potential game changer for 2023 and beyond. Even if the Twins decide to ramp him up at AAA initially...just a possibility...the kid can be a difference maker.

I do think Julien should absolutely be included in the discussion here. While it's hard to determine how good/average he might ever be defensively, he will more than likely get better with repetition, not worse. I think he will end up at 1B/2B/DH, and HOPING he will prove adequate at either 3B or LF just to provide a little more roster flexibility. I don't see Martin at 2B, but could be proven wrong. I believe he's destined for the OF, with the ability to cover both 3B/2B, his primary college positions.

At some point, perhaps very soon, Lee and Lewis are going to be ready. And frankly, I don't care where they play. They are both going to be good/very good, IMO. Lewis might be an excellent OF, and I'm fine with that idea. But I strongly object to any arguement that he would be wasted at 2B. While 2B is generally not considered a premium defensive position, what on earth would be wrong with having a premium defensive player there? Lewis has the potential to be a great/outstanding glove there with a premium bat. The ONLY WAY he'd be wasted at 2B would be if a substantially lesser player was taking up a position spot somewhere else, AND, the Twins had another fine defensive/offensive player available to play 2B. Now, maybe Lewis takes over 3B and Lee takes over 2B. Is Lee being wasted at 2B? You try to accumulate the most talent you can and then you find a place to play them all. Lewis wouldn't be wasted at 2B, IF that's where the Twins believe he can fit best and make the most difference.

I don't like the idea of Larnach POSSIBLY being initially squeezed out of a roster spot. He's looked really good when healthy and doesn't belong at AAA. However, 2019 was his last full season. So playing every day and ready for a call up isn't such a terrible thing. Besides, how often is EVERY player healthy and on the roster? Solano provides additional, quality depth and experience, especially if Farmer were pressed in to any extended playing time for someone on the IL. And no need to rush anyone up to provide depth when you have a veteran like him available.

I'm starting to think the #1 spot in the order might be manned mostly by Gordon against RHP, provided he's what we saw in 2022, and Farmer, and possibly Solano, against LHP to just be a solid bat and keep Polanco in his customary 3-4 spot in the lineup and producing runs.

And speaking of Polanco, finally, I'm also in no rush to move on from him. Guy is a BALLPLAYER, and a damned good one when his legs are healthy. Despite offense being down across the league in 2022, especially early, he was one of the Twins best producers before his knee went bad. So while 2022 was an "even" year, he was still good. As long as his knee is sound...and I applaud a measured approach initially to make that happen...he can and should be vital for 2023. I have faith he's going to have a good season.

But the reality is, simply, he might not be with the Twins beyond this year, or 2024. He's not old. He's good. But when younger, cheaper, and highly talented players are ready, you need to make room for them. A lot of things have to happen in order for him to be traded, but I can see it happening. I tend to doubt it though, as a healthy and productive Polanco should mean a lot to a, HOPEFULLY, winning and contending Twins team. I think he remains a Twin for 2023...and then we see what happens.

If there was no shift ban, I'd be interested in giving Julien a shot at 2B. But since there is a ban then Julien won't cut it and we need our best player with the best range & glove. Right now it's Polanco but when Lewis comes, it'll be him. I'd still give '23 to Polanco but afterwards I'd give it to Lewis full time. There's a lot reasons why I prefer Lewis at 2B, but the main reason for me is he'd be constantly a long side Correa. Constantly watching, learning to flow with him, getting feed back, what better way to learn & ease into becoming our future SS.

[dxpavelka]

19 hours ago, Rosterman said:

Kirilloff has to shine to stay at 1B. He can also play the infield. But an average season might make him expendable if....

Miranda shines. Jose could be the first baseman of the future because...

We have to find a position for Lewis, Martin, Lee....

And Julien could also be in the mix, and maybe Julien could also be shuffled to first base.

That's not even considering names like Severino, Shuffield, Holland, Miller and more than could be as litle as two years out.

Kirilloff has to stay healthy.  Anything else is gravy.

[TopGunn#22]

As soon as I scanned the headlines I went right to this article.  Great topic Ted!  My initial thought before reading was that Kirilloff is the #1 key and I see several others agree with that.  But Ted is right to highlight 2nd base for all the reasons he listed and many others have commented on.  Twins Daily has so many knowledgeable people commented with differing opinions that it's always a treat to log on.  

This is why it was wise to trade Arraez for a solid #2 starter like Pablo Lopez.  Pitching keeps teams in every game where a key hit or play can mean victory.  You can never have too much pitching.  I'm looking for a solid year from Polanco.  He's been a key bat in our lineup since he arrived.  But we literally have several prospects who could replace him.  They aren't just "prospects" they are GOOD prospects.  Lewis & Lee stand at the top but as Heiny so effectively laid out his depth chart this team is in MUCH better shape than same time last year.  Our outfield at times last season was an embarrassment.  I believe this off season was the best this front office has ever had.  

Some of these prospects will not pan out, but the talent they possess tells me some of them will and the time is coming for Lewis and Lee to shine.  We all want Polanco to have a great season because if he does, chances are the Twins are having a great season.  He could very well perform at a level where his option is just too cost effective to refuse.  But the better he does, and if Lewis and Lee are tearing it up, he becomes a tremendous trade chip as well.  

[specialiststeve]

I will stay consistent in my belief that Polanco should be our full time DH. His bat is too important to this team to have him dinged up for a third of the season. I also think that Nick Gordon has "earned" the right to have a shot at a full time gig. Yes he is a valuable utility guy but we have a ton of Utility guys.. Castro.. Solano...Let the guy play.

Some would question his defense but I do think that given a shot to play everyday at the SAME position it would improve a ton. The guy has just played great given the opportunity.. Let's see what he's got while ensuring that Polanco's bat stays in the lineup. 

[tony&rodney]

Do any of the prospects project to be as good as Polanco or are people expecting a large decline in Polanco's performance? 

If Jorge really is breaking down and unable to return to his former prowess as a player, it is really good to know that the Twins do have some young guys capable of filling his position. I'm just not sure that any of them will ever be as good as a healthy Polanco.

[Elliot]

I love the idea of a prospect having to beat out a veteran for playing time. Too often in the past young Twins have been thrust into roles because there was no other option. Shouldn’t be the case this year. 
I am baffled by an undercurrent in some comments that implies the FO is subversively working against youngsters to keep them from succeeding. There is no more valuable asset to a team than a young player on team controlled salary producing at the MLB level. If anything, there should be a conspiracy theory regarding the FO squeezing out expensive older players.  The reality is that the FO is trying to win and is held accountable for decisions, unlike all of us here in comment land. After rushing players like Celestino and Jeffers in the past they now have to defend still having belief in them. One, or more likely a number, of the youngsters we want rapidly promoted will fail badly, at least initially. Let them progress at their own pace and only move them up when they have shown they have earned it. 

[chpettit19]

53 minutes ago, tony&rodney said:

Do any of the prospects project to be as good as Polanco or are people expecting a large decline in Polanco's performance? 

If Jorge really is breaking down and unable to return to his former prowess as a player, it is really good to know that the Twins do have some young guys capable of filling his position. I'm just not sure that any of them will ever be as good as a healthy Polanco.

It's "Top Prospect" season, and the hope train has picked up a lot of steam around these parts. Lewis and Lee (as far as infielders go) are the only 2 with high probability of being as good as Polanco. The rest have outside chances because you just never know, but none of them are projected to be the overall player a healthy Polanco is. And he's not 35, he's 29. I hope he isn't breaking down already, but that would certainly change the narrative. I think many people are way too eager to move on from solid vets, or well above average ones like Polanco, for unproven rookies/prospects/oft-injured "youngsters" these days because it's the climax of the "season of hope" that is the offseason and prospect lists are coming out right and left.

[Major League Ready]

27 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

It's "Top Prospect" season, and the hope train has picked up a lot of steam around these parts. Lewis and Lee (as far as infielders go) are the only 2 with high probability of being as good as Polanco. The rest have outside chances because you just never know, but none of them are projected to be the overall player a healthy Polanco is. And he's not 35, he's 29. I hope he isn't breaking down already, but that would certainly change the narrative. I think many people are way too eager to move on from solid vets, or well above average ones like Polanco, for unproven rookies/prospects/oft-injured "youngsters" these days because it's the climax of the "season of hope" that is the offseason and prospect lists are coming out right and left.

Have to agree.  We have a very good player in his prime with 3 years of control.  What's the rush.  We have guys who could be as good, maybe even better.  As soon as one of them proves it, trade Polanco and hopefully get a nice return and save some money that can be spent on extensions.  However, there is no need to do anything until we have a proven replacement.