Two of Toronto’s needs may be solved with one trade.

<a href="https://www.startribune.com/derek-falvey-minnesota-twins-expect-lower-payroll-free-agency-2024-season/600318029">The Minnesota Twins are cutting payroll, according to Bob Nightengale</a>, and the team that beat Toronto in the American League Wild Card series could be a good partner. This is because they have outfielder Max Kepler and middle infielder Jorge Polanco, <a href="https://www.si.com/fannation/bringmethesports/twins/report-twins-receiving-increased-trade-interest-in-jorge-polanco">both of whom have been receiving a ton of interest</a>.
Let’s take a look at what the two players offer.
<h2>Max Kepler:</h2>
The Blue Jays needed a left-handed batting outfielder last off-season, and I was the conductor of the “bring Max Kepler to the Blue Jays” train. He had a rough season in 2022, slashing .227/.318/.348 with nine homers in 446 plate appearances for a 95 wRC+ and 2 fWAR.
Minus a fantastic 2019 season, Kepler’s trade value at the moment has never been higher, as the 30-year-old corner outfielder slashed .260/.332/.484 with 24 homers in 491 plate appearances, with a 9.2 BB% (the lowest since 2017), and a career-high 21.6 K%. Still, this gave him a career-high 124 wRC+ and a 2.6 fWAR.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Max Kepler is your new <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MNTwins?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MNTwins</a> home run leader.
His team-leading 18th gives him three straight games with a homer and ties the game off Paul Sewald in the ninth. <a href="https://t.co/6HkFS7LJZg">pic.twitter.com/6HkFS7LJZg</a>
&mdash; Do-Hyoung Park (@dohyoungpark) <a href="https://twitter.com/dohyoungpark/status/1688324408312520704?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 6, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Kepler’s defence took a hit in 2023, as he posted 10 Defensive Runs Saved and 12 Outs Above Average in 891.1 innings played in right field in 2022. In 2023, that dropped to 2 DRS and 4 OAA in 972.1 innings.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
MAX KEPLER GAME SAVING CATCH <a href="https://t.co/IzsIZXxAzs">pic.twitter.com/IzsIZXxAzs</a>
&mdash; Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) <a href="https://twitter.com/TalkinBaseball_/status/1675269693144268802?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 1, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
The Twins exercised Kepler’s team option worth $10 million. This is the final year of his deal before becoming a free agent after the season is up. Essentially a rental, he should have a relatively low cost considering the Twins want to drop payroll, and American League Central teams don’t have to be good to win the division.
<h2>Jorge Polanco:</h2>
Admittedly, second base is less of a need than outfield, a designated hitter with power, and a third baseman. However, Polanco could be a good offensive pickup.
Last season, the 30-year-old switch hitter slashed .225/.335/.454 with 14 homers in 343 plate appearances, along with a 10.5 BB% and a 25.7 K% for a 118 wRC+ and 1.5 fWAR. This was a bit of an off-season for Polanco, who slashed .269/.323/.503 with 33 home runs in 644 plate appearances for a 124 wRC+ and a 4.2 fWAR in 2021.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Ball meet bullpen! <a href="https://t.co/xYaxCExhB0">pic.twitter.com/xYaxCExhB0</a>
&mdash; Minnesota Twins (@Twins) <a href="https://twitter.com/Twins/status/1665138064828530688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 3, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Defensively, Polanco should only be playing second base, as his defensive numbers at shortstop are… not great to say the least. In 4178 innings, he has -42 DRS and -31 OAA&gt; His numbers at second base aren’t great either, as he has 2 DRS and -16 OAA in 2316 career innings at the keystone.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MNTwins?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MNTwins</a> Jorge Polanco&#39;s defense throughout his career has been frustrating, but every so often he makes a play like this that makes you wonder if there&#39;s something more in there. <a href="https://t.co/g6WcE8ftpN">pic.twitter.com/g6WcE8ftpN</a>
&mdash; Cody Pirkl (@CodyPirkl) <a href="https://twitter.com/CodyPirkl/status/1256223195700609034?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 1, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Unlike Kepler, Polanco has at most two full-season remaining on his deal. The Twins exercised his team option for the 2024 season, with his salary being $10.5 million. The 30-year-old has a second team option for the 2025 season worth $12 million. Still, Polanco will consistently put up a wRC+ above 110, so that’s pretty good value for him.
<h2>So would the Jays do it?:</h2>
Who knows what the Blue Jays are thinking after Ohtani signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers. <a href="https://www.sportsnet.ca/mlb/article/as-ohtani-fallout-continues-clarity-on-blue-jays-final-offer-emerges/">What we do know is that they offered a deal to the two-way superstar in the same vicinity financially as the Dodgers did</a>, so this team is committed to winning.
My ideal off-season would be to trade for Kepler and Polanco, sign Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and trade from their surplus of starters for a controllable third baseman like Isaac Paredes, but I’m definitely just dreaming here.
Either way, it’ll be a fun off-season, because you know the Jays front office won’t just sit on their hands!
<hr />
As always, you can follow me on Twitter, Instagram, and Threads @Brennan_L_D.
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<h2 class="mb-5 text-2xl font-bold" style="text-align: center"><a class="text-accent" href="https://gml-grp.com/C.ashx?btag=a_24038b_2065c_&amp;affid=7966&amp;siteid=24038&amp;adid=2065&amp;c=" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">ARTICLE PRESENTED BY BETANO</a></h2>
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Two of Toronto’s needs may be solved with one trade.



<a href="https://www.startribune.com/derek-falvey-minnesota-twins-expect-lower-payroll-free-agency-2024-season/600318029">The Minnesota Twins are cutting payroll, according to Bob Nightengale</a>, and the team that beat Toronto in the American League Wild Card series could be a good partner. This is because they have outfielder Max Kepler and middle infielder Jorge Polanco, <a href="https://www.si.com/fannation/bringmethesports/twins/report-twins-receiving-increased-trade-interest-in-jorge-polanco">both of whom have been receiving a ton of interest</a>.

Let’s take a look at what the two players offer.
<h2>Max Kepler:</h2>
The Blue Jays needed a left-handed batting outfielder last off-season, and I was the conductor of the “bring Max Kepler to the Blue Jays” train. He had a rough season in 2022, slashing .227/.318/.348 with nine homers in 446 plate appearances for a 95 wRC+ and 2 fWAR.

Minus a fantastic 2019 season, Kepler’s trade value at the moment has never been higher, as the 30-year-old corner outfielder slashed .260/.332/.484 with 24 homers in 491 plate appearances, with a 9.2 BB% (the lowest since 2017), and a career-high 21.6 K%. Still, this gave him a career-high 124 wRC+ and a 2.6 fWAR.

https://twitter.com/dohyoungpark/status/1688324408312520704

Kepler’s defence took a hit in 2023, as he posted 10 Defensive Runs Saved and 12 Outs Above Average in 891.1 innings played in right field in 2022. In 2023, that dropped to 2 DRS and 4 OAA in 972.1 innings.

https://twitter.com/TalkinBaseball_/status/1675269693144268802

The Twins exercised Kepler’s team option worth $10 million. This is the final year of his deal before becoming a free agent after the season is up. Essentially a rental, he should have a relatively low cost considering the Twins want to drop payroll, and American League Central teams don’t have to be good to win the division.
<h2>Jorge Polanco:</h2>
Admittedly, second base is less of a need than outfield, a designated hitter with power, and a third baseman. However, Polanco could be a good offensive pickup.

Last season, the 30-year-old switch hitter slashed .225/.335/.454 with 14 homers in 343 plate appearances, along with a 10.5 BB% and a 25.7 K% for a 118 wRC+ and 1.5 fWAR. This was a bit of an off-season for Polanco, who slashed .269/.323/.503 with 33 home runs in 644 plate appearances for a 124 wRC+ and a 4.2 fWAR in 2021.

https://twitter.com/Twins/status/1665138064828530688

Defensively, Polanco should only be playing second base, as his defensive numbers at shortstop are… not great to say the least. In 4178 innings, he has -42 DRS and -31 OAA&gt; His numbers at second base aren’t great either, as he has 2 DRS and -16 OAA in 2316 career innings at the keystone.

https://twitter.com/CodyPirkl/status/1256223195700609034

Unlike Kepler, Polanco has at most two full-season remaining on his deal. The Twins exercised his team option for the 2024 season, with his salary being $10.5 million. The 30-year-old has a second team option for the 2025 season worth $12 million. Still, Polanco will consistently put up a wRC+ above 110, so that’s pretty good value for him.
<h2>So would the Jays do it?:</h2>
Who knows what the Blue Jays are thinking after Ohtani signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers. <a href="https://www.sportsnet.ca/mlb/article/as-ohtani-fallout-continues-clarity-on-blue-jays-final-offer-emerges/">What we do know is that they offered a deal to the two-way superstar in the same vicinity financially as the Dodgers did</a>, so this team is committed to winning.

My ideal off-season would be to trade for Kepler and Polanco, sign Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and trade from their surplus of starters for a controllable third baseman like Isaac Paredes, but I’m definitely just dreaming here.

Either way, it’ll be a fun off-season, because you know the Jays front office won’t just sit on their hands!

<hr />

As always, you can follow me on Twitter, Instagram, and Threads @Brennan_L_D.

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The Minnesota Twins are an ideal trading partner for the Blue Jays

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