Finally! Official Hot Stove League thread!

[Pharmabro]

I saw somewhere mention that the Twins wanted to lower payroll.
Their big money guys underperformed:

Buxton had 0.8 WAR and a 98 OPS+ offense but was a 133 OPS+ in 2022, and a 171 OPS+ in 2021. But he just can't stay healthy. He has a base of 5 X 15.142 M with up to 11M/year in bonuses. Buxton is heading into age 30 season.

Carlos C. SS 94 OPS+ in 2023. 1.4 WAR and is owed 5 for 166.7M and then a bunch of options.2022 he had a 138 OPS+ and will still only be age 29 for next year.

Maybe we could get Jorge Polanco** who does not seem to have a spot with Julian taking over at 2B and CC at SS. He has 10M owed in 2024 and a 12m option for 2025. He had a 115 OPS+ in 2023 and a 111 in his career. In 2021 he was at .269 .323 .503 .826 125 OPS+ with 33 HR, 35 doubles and 2 triples. I am all over picking up Polanco if possible. And he shouldn't cost much. Jorge is heading into age 30 season.

[Pharmabro]

https://www.si.com/fannation/bringmethe ... his-winter

They talk about both Max Kepler and Jorge being on the trading block and Max Kepler is in his last year and is fairly high in salary at 10M.
Max Kepler is a corner outfielder who hit to a 121 OPS+ in 130 games this year. He is a SH and on trade calc. he is at 8.9M for his final year. He is only a 104 OPS+ career guy so just back in 21 and 22 he put in a 92 and a 98 OPS+ performance. I am out on Kepler.

Polanco is 95% of Gleybar Torress. Torres is coming off a 118 OPS+ and a 115 for his career. Vs. Polanco who is coming off a 115 OPS+ and a 111 for the career.

[harmony]

Posted to a Minnesota Twins forum:

Jorge Polanco and Max Kepler to Seattle for righthander Emerson Hancock and infielder Jose Caballero

If the Twins plan to reduce payroll, as reported, the Twins would save about $20 million in 2024 with a trade of short-term assets Jorge Polanco and Max Kepler to Seattle for six years each of two minimum-salary players.

Righthander Emerson Hancock, the No. 6 pick in the 2020 draft, debuted this year with three respectable starts. Jose Caballero is a versatile infielder who in 104 games this year posted 2.4 bWAR, .343 OBP and a team-leading seven DRS with 26 stolen bases in 29 attempts.

Baseball Trade Values calls the proposal a fair trade.

https://twinsdaily.com/forums/topic/653 ... nt-1343178

https://www.baseballtradevalues.com/trades/147266

[Seattle or Bust]

Posted to a Minnesota Twins forum:

Jorge Polanco and Max Kepler to Seattle for righthander Emerson Hancock and infielder Jose Caballero

If the Twins plan to reduce payroll, as reported, the Twins would save about $20 million in 2024 with a trade of short-term assets Jorge Polanco and Max Kepler to Seattle for six years each of two minimum-salary players.

Righthander Emerson Hancock, the No. 6 pick in the 2020 draft, debuted this year with three respectable starts. Jose Caballero is a versatile infielder who in 104 games this year posted 2.4 bWAR, .343 OBP and a team-leading seven DRS with 26 stolen bases in 29 attempts.

Baseball Trade Values calls the proposal a fair trade.

https://twinsdaily.com/forums/topic/653 ... nt-1343178

https://www.baseballtradevalues.com/trades/147266

Would do that in a split second.

Doubt the Twins would.

[Pharmabro]

Here is some of the Twins fans take:
But I heard so much last season the Mariners need offense, were short from the left side, and have a hole at 2B they'd like to fill. And now they've potentially lost Teoscar Hernandez to FA.

So I keep wondering about Polanco and Larnch and maybe a lower level prospect like Urbina for one of Logan Gilbert or George Kirby. The Twins lose a hell of a player in Polanco, still inexpensive the next 2yrs, they lose depth and potential in Larnach who might just need opportunity and a change of scenery, and a top international signing who has talent but hasn't put it together yet.

Seattle gets offense, potential future offense, and reportedly has some pitching depth to be able to withstand losing a solid young starter.

Fair?

Kirby is basically an untouchable. And who the fk is or what the fk is a Larnch?
a 26 year old dude who has hit for a 95 OPS+ over significant playing time for 3 years.

I refuse to even look but Larnch is at max like a 5M player absolutely fking max and the 2B is at like 5M and they are talking about 70 to 100 M dollar trade values in Gilbert or Kirby.

WTF

[Seattle or Bust]

Here is some of the Twins fans take:
But I heard so much last season the Mariners need offense, were short from the left side, and have a hole at 2B they'd like to fill. And now they've potentially lost Teoscar Hernandez to FA.

So I keep wondering about Polanco and Larnch and maybe a lower level prospect like Urbina for one of Logan Gilbert or George Kirby. The Twins lose a hell of a player in Polanco, still inexpensive the next 2yrs, they lose depth and potential in Larnach who might just need opportunity and a change of scenery, and a top international signing who has talent but hasn't put it together yet.

Seattle gets offense, potential future offense, and reportedly has some pitching depth to be able to withstand losing a solid young starter.

Fair?

Kirby is basically an untouchable. And who the fk is or what the fk is a Larnch?
a 26 year old dude who has hit for a 95 OPS+ over significant playing time for 3 years.

I refuse to even look but Larnch is at max like a 5M player absolutely fking max and the 2B is at like 5M and they are talking about 70 to 100 M dollar trade values in Gilbert or Kirby.

WTF

They don't know what they're talking about.

Most fans don't take the time.

[Donn Beach]

Posted to a Minnesota Twins forum:

Jorge Polanco and Max Kepler to Seattle for righthander Emerson Hancock and infielder Jose Caballero

If the Twins plan to reduce payroll, as reported, the Twins would save about $20 million in 2024 with a trade of short-term assets Jorge Polanco and Max Kepler to Seattle for six years each of two minimum-salary players.

Righthander Emerson Hancock, the No. 6 pick in the 2020 draft, debuted this year with three respectable starts. Jose Caballero is a versatile infielder who in 104 games this year posted 2.4 bWAR, .343 OBP and a team-leading seven DRS with 26 stolen bases in 29 attempts.

Baseball Trade Values calls the proposal a fair trade.

https://twinsdaily.com/forums/topic/653 ... nt-1343178

https://www.baseballtradevalues.com/trades/147266

Would do that in a split second.

Doubt the Twins would.

Polanco and Kepler are both in the last year of their contracts as I read it, six years of hancock, Caballero had more value than Polanco last season and is still a rookie. Seems like pretty good value to the twins

[D-train]

https://www.si.com/fannation/bringmethe ... his-winter

They talk about both Max Kepler and Jorge being on the trading block and Max Kepler is in his last year and is fairly high in salary at 10M.
Max Kepler is a corner outfielder who hit to a 121 OPS+ in 130 games this year. He is a SH and on trade calc. he is at 8.9M for his final year. He is only a 104 OPS+ career guy so just back in 21 and 22 he put in a 92 and a 98 OPS+ performance. I am out on Kepler.

Polanco is 95% of Gleybar Torress. Torres is coming off a 118 OPS+ and a 115 for his career. Vs. Polanco who is coming off a 115 OPS+ and a 111 for the career.

Kepler would be a decent get but idiot Jerry wants RH bats because Pollock worked out so well.

[Donn Beach]

He said "ideally", so it's pretty meaningless really

[Seattle or Bust]

Posted to a Minnesota Twins forum:

https://twinsdaily.com/forums/topic/653 ... nt-1343178

https://www.baseballtradevalues.com/trades/147266

Would do that in a split second.

Doubt the Twins would.

Polanco and Kepler are both in the last year of their contracts as I read it, six years of hancock, Caballero had more value than Polanco last season and is still a rookie. Seems like pretty good value to the twins

Kepler is, but Polanco still has a cheap club option for '25.

The Twins would have to believe Cabby's '23 wasn't just an anomaly. His .200/.310/.282/.592 2nd half OPS would concerning to any team wondering if a 27-year-old rookie can hack it.

Polanco hung 2.0 fWAR in just 80 games... and 160 games of 4.0 fWAR .255/.335/.454 pace with defensive versatility is not something you just give away, especially for just $10.5 and $12 million.

Kepler posted a .926 2nd half OPS.

Given the shortage of bats on the market, there's no way a pkg of Hancock and Cabby would be the best they're offered. Not even close IMO.