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With the recent reports of the Twins looking to cut payroll, could the Mariners help with that?

With reports that the Twins are looking to reduce payroll, who could the Mariners target to help them with that? With the Twins looking to upgrade at first base, is there a potential swap to help out both teams?

By Tanner Vogt |
Division Series - Minnesota Twins v Houston Astros - Game One
Division Series - Minnesota Twins v Houston Astros - Game One / Bob Levey/GettyImages
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Bobby Nightengale from the Star Tribune put out an article that stated that the Twins are looking to reduce payroll. They opened 2023 with an estimated $153 million dollar payroll, whereas the estimates are that they could look to be in the $125-$140-million-dollar range to begin 2024. The Twins could be looking at trying to get rid of approximately $15-$20 million dollars before the season begins. There are a few targets the Mariners could look to, in hopes of improving the roster and helping the Twins shed that money.

Looking at the Twins contracts we will just get these 2 out of the way. Carlos Correa signed a 6 year deal worth $200 million dollars. That pays him an average of a little over $33 million dollars a year through at least 2028. I am not touching him with a 10 ft pole. There is no trade that could work out. The other one is Byron Buxton. Buxton signed a 7-year $100 million dollar deal, which after his impressive 2021 season where he was worth 4 wins in only 61 games, seemed like it could be a good deal. But man, this guy can't stay healthy! He hasn't played more than 92 games since 2017 and carries an AAV of $15 million through 2028. Again, I am steering very clear of him.

Let's look at 2 Twins in particular, that could provide some good value to the Mariners while allowing the Twins to continue to compete and shed some bigger contracts.

Mariners acquire Jorge Polanco for Ty France and Alberto Rodriguez

Jorge Polanco fits in with the Mariners very well. He slots in as an everyday second baseman, with the ability to cover third and fake it at shortstop. He is due $10.5 million this year as well as a club option for 2025 of $12 million. I think these are both reasonable numbers, but for a club looking to cut payroll, this cuts off nearly half of what they and reportedly looking to shed.

Polanco is coming off a solid 2023, where he slashed .255/.335/.454 with 14 home runs. He was worth 1.5 wins according to fWAR and had a 118 wRC+, which has been right around his career average if you take out a bad 2020 year. This was all in only 80 games. He controls the zone pretty well with a 10.5% walk rate and a 25.7% K rate. He is only going to be 30 and could potentially be your everyday second baseman this year with Josh Rojas moving to a sort of super utility role. Then next year, if Geno leaves, he or Rojas could take over as both are capable of becoming your everyday third baseman. With recent reports that the Mariners are looking to cut back on the strikeouts, Polanco would be a solid addition. He controls the zone pretty well but still possesses good pop.

With recent reports that the Twins could look to upgrade at first base, Ty France could be that guy. France had a down year in 2023, which could be an opportunity for the Twins to buy low as the previous few years, he was an above average hitter, posting a 129 wRC+ in 2021 and a 125 wRC+ in 2022. Both France and Polanco are controlled through next year so they don't lose anything as far as club control goes. For a team that is reportedly looking to shed some payroll, this deal could potentially save some money as France is estimated to earn $7.9 million in arbitration while Polanco is owed $10.5 million this year with a club option of $12 million next year. Rodriguez gives them sort of a lottery pick outfielder. He had a really good 2023 season slashing .300/.381/.504 with 14 home runs between High-A ball and AA.

Mariners acquire Max Kepler for Cade Marlowe, Prelander Berroa, and Michael Morales

Max Kepler has long been linked to the Mariners. As a very solid defender, a "CTZ" type guy, "left-handed element" with some pop, his fit seems obvious. I would love to add a guy like Max Kepler to this lineup and have him patrol right field. He is coming off his best season since his 3.8 win 2019 season that saw him hit 36 home runs. In 2023, Kepler slashed .260/.332/.484 with 24 home runs in 130 games. He produced a 124 wRC+ and was worth 2.6 wins according to fWAR. He would slot in well right in the middle of the order and could do some serious damage to the Hit it Here Cafe.

As previously mentioned, Berroa gives the Twins a high upside, potential high leverage reliever that is able to play in the big leagues but has struggled with command. Cade Marlowe gives them an older outfielder at 26 but he showed some really good potential. He slashed .239/.330/.420, good for a 112 wRC+. In his time in the minors, he has hit everywhere for power and average. He also has elite base stealing ability. Morales gives the Twins an arm, that should move fairly quickly over the next couple of years and could become a solid back of the rotation starter.

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