MLB Trade Rumors: Jorge Polanco Traded to Mariners; Twins Get Gabriel González, More

The Minnesota Twins have traded second baseman Jorge Polanco to the Seattle Mariners, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan.

The 30-year-old, who was an All-Star in 2019, hit .255 with 14 home runs and 48 RBI during his 2023 campaign while appearing in 80 games.

According to Dan Hayes of The Athletic, Minnesota will get relief pitcher Justin Topa, starting pitcher Anthony DeSclafani, outfield prospect Gabriel González, right-handed pitching prospect Darren Bowen and cash in return.

This is the second time DeSclafani has been moved this offseason, as he was part of the package the Mariners got for trading former Cy Young winner Robbie Ray to the San Francisco Giants on Jan. 5.

As for González, he ranked as Seattle's No. 3 prospect in 2023 and is the No. 79 overall prospect, per MLB.com. In 73 games for the Single-A Modesto Nuts, he hit .348 with nine home runs and eight stolen bases.

Although the Twins exercised their 2024 club option on Polanco worth $10.5 million, his name had appeared in trade rumors all offseason.

"People around the industry believe there's a very strong chance that the Twins will in fact move Jorge Polanco this winter," MLB Network's Jon Morosi reported on Nov. 10.

One of the main reasons his tenure with Minnesota came to an end was the phenomenal rookie season of Edouard Julien, who also played second base. The 24-year-old hit .263 with 16 home runs in 109 games, posting an .839 OPS while finishing seventh in American League Rookie of the Year voting.

As for Seattle, Polanco gives the Mariners a productive bat in the middle of the team's lineup who has shown he still has lots of power at the plate when healthy. In 2021, he totaled 33 homers while appearing in 152 games.

The Mariners appeared to be heading into the season with Josh Rojas at second base prior to the deal. He maintained a commendable .272 batting average with the team in 2023, although he isn't close to the power hitter Polanco is. In 134 plate appearances with Seattle, Rojas hit just four home runs.

After a 10-year career with Minnesota, Polanco is heading to Seattle.