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SEATTLE — The Mariners entered this week feeling comfortable with a rebuilt roster following notable additions such as Mitch Garber, Mitch Haniger and Luke Lally. But with Monday night's trade with the Twins for second baseman Jorge Polanco, the lineup is probably in better shape than it was on the final day of the 2023 season.
Polanco was acquired in exchange for leverage reliever Justin Topa, starter/reliever Anthony DeSclafani, promising outfielder Gabriel Gonzalez, right-handed pitcher Darren Bowen and cash consideration.
A 4-to-1 swing clearly indicates a win-now move. Here are some takeaways from the deal:
1. How does Polanco fit into a crowded infield?
Polanco brings versatility as a switch hitter and middle infielder, and will lengthen Seattle's lineup and shore up its bench with the trickle-down effect of other players being spread out.
Polanco, who developed as a shortstop, moved to second base more permanently in 2021, but also logged 103 innings at third base after returning from a left hamstring injury in 2023. He has also spent most of his 3,529 career at-bats batting from No. 1 to No. 3. He has a spot in the lineup and will likely be used under coach Scott Servais.
“Having a split-neutral guy who can hit in the middle of the lineup from either side is a huge advantage for Scott in keeping the lineup together,” Mariners general manager Justin Hollander said.
The team, which intended to have left-handed hitter Josh Rojas and right-handed hitter Dylan Moore at second base, will likely move offseason acquisition Luis Urias to third base, where he was expected to play the most. And given that the Mariners have left-handers Dominick Canzone and Luke Lally, and right-hander Haniger to flank Julio Rodriguez in the outfield corners, one of that group on any given night is Moore, catcher He will likely be available off the bench along with Sevy Zabala and catcher Sevy Zabala. Rojas or Urias.
“It gives Scott a lot of options every day to determine who is the best fit depending on what the other team is doing from a pitching standpoint,” Hollander said.
Perhaps most quietly of all, Polanco's presence gives the Mariners' infield some much-needed injury insurance given the depth and versatility of everyone else.
2. How will they replace Topa?
The biggest void created by Monday's trade was at the back end of the bullpen, where Topa has become a reliable setup man with a 2.61 ERA (over 155 ERA when the league average is 100). He will make $1.25 million next season.
The Mariners are at the forefront of turning unknowns into legitimate relievers, with Topa and Paul Swart headlining the roster, so they're comfortable heading into spring training after seeing the abilities of Jackson Kower, Carlos Vargas, and Mauricio Llobela. I can understand entering. , Cody Bolton, Eduardo Buzzard, Prelander Velor, etc., even if they haven't had consistent performances in the majors.
“Topa was great. We need to replace it,” Hollander said. “I think it will probably be internally, but as always we could add externally as well.”
DeSclafani was scheduled to be the sixth starter and was expected to receive an extended period in the spring before moving to the bullpen as a starting rotation addition if needed. Austin Voss, a Washington State native who signed a major league contract earlier this month, takes over.
3. What about the prospects they gave up on?
The Mariners also have two notable prospects in Gonzalez (No. 3 in the organization, 79th overall according to MLB Pipeline) and Bowen (unranked but would have been in Seattle's top 30 in 2024). I also let go.
Gonzalez is a contact specialist, but is limited to a corner outfield position, which puts a lot of pressure on his bat. He hit 18 home runs last year between Low-A Modesto and High-A Everett, but his exit velocity and other metrics of impact didn't advance as much as some evaluators expected. Ta.
Bowen, a 13th-round pick in 2022, took a big step forward in Modesto last year, hitting a top speed of 94-95 mph with a top speed of 97-98 mph. His long-term profile may be that of a relief pitcher, but he also has some interesting upside.
4. What's your next move?
Most of the holes in the lineup were filled, and the rotation was surprisingly intact, even though it looked like an area that needed addressing, so the Mariners likely had to do some heavy lifting this offseason, namely spring training and minor league contracts, etc. The tertiary reinforcement would have been completed. I invite you nonetheless.
“I feel like the team is more complete than yesterday and better than yesterday,” Hollander said Monday night. “I don't want to rule anything out. I don't want to promise anything. It's impossible to say what will happen between now and the start of the regular season.”
