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

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.