What are the Twins’ options to replace the injured Jorge Polanco at second base?

Jorge Polanco’s healing from the left knee injury that triggered him to miss out on the last 37 video games of last season has actually advanced slower than expected this spring, and the Twins’ switch-hitting 2nd baseman will begin the season on the hurt list. The length of time Polanco will be out stays uncertain, however the Twins are preparing to begin the season without their longest-tenured gamer. Polanco is difficult to change. Even in a down 2022 season, he struck.235/.346/.405 for a 117 OPS+ that positioned 3rd amongst American League 2nd basemen, behind All-Stars Jose Altuve and Andrés Giménez. He led the Twins with 64 strolls and ranked 3rd with 16 homers regardless of the missed out on time, and just Luis Arraez and Carlos Correa published a greater on-base portion. And he was Minnesota’s MVP in 2021. The Twins are fairly well geared up to change Polanco in the brief term thanks to the veteran depth they invested all offseason stockpiling. And if his lack extends well into the season, requiring a longer-term replacement, numerous of the Twins’ finest potential customers are upper-minors infielders with the capability to play 2nd base. Polanco will make $7.5 million this season in what is the last surefire year of an extension checked in the spring of 2019. His agreement likewise consists of a $10.5 million group alternative or a $1 million buyout for 2024 that vests if he logs a minimum of 550 plate looks this season. And if that 2024 alternative is worked out or vests, the Twins will then hold a $12 million group alternative for 2025. With a lot riding on this season for Polanco and the Twins, and such little certainty about the 29-year-old’s knee 7 months after the preliminary injury, let’s have a look at their brief- and long-lasting choices to change him if needed. JORGE POLANCO AGAIN! pic.twitter.com/BBiGbempsp– Mr Matthew CFB (@MrMatthewCFB) July 6, 2022 Now: Nick GordonPolanco played his last video game of last season on Aug. 27, and Nick Gordon took control of as the primary 2nd baseman down the stretch. Utilizing him mainly at 2nd base once again to begin this year would have cause and effect somewhere else because Gordon is slated to be a crucial part of the outfield and designated player blends, however for now, it’s relatively the most rational, uncomplicated course to changing Polanco. Gordon, a left-handed player, might form the strong side of a squad at 2nd base, comparing mostly versus right-handed pitchers, versus whom he struck.289/.329/.465 last season. And the Twins so take place to have actually included a set of veteran right-handed players efficient in managing 2nd base and knocking around left-handed pitchers as part of a possible squadron with Gordon. Now: Kyle FarmerAcquired from the Reds in mid-November as a possible placeholder beginning shortstop, Kyle Farmer has experience playing all over the infield and has actually been getting associates at 2nd base this spring. He struck.259/.316/.400 with an 89 OPS+ the previous 2 years, which would be middling general production subbing every day for Polanco, however that consisted of a stout.286/.350/.528 versus lefties. Gordon dealing with righties and Farmer dealing with lefties is a timeless squad setup. It just works if Farmer isn’t required backing up shortstop and 3rd base, as he’s No. 2 on the depth chart at both positions. Correa hardly ever takes day of rests, however Jose Miranda’s aching best shoulder might suggest Farmer will be required at 3rd base. If that takes place, the Twins have another, comparable second-base squad alternative. Kyle Farmer simply placed on a protective center in the 10th inning pic.twitter.com/jJ41OoDLzP– Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) July 9, 2022 Now: Donovan SolanoWhen the Twins signed Donovan Solano to a 1 year, $2 million offer a week into spring training they pictured him contributing mainly as a very first baseman and designated player, however the 35-year-old was a Silver Slugger-winning 2nd baseman for the Giants in 2020 and has actually logged more than 3,000 profession innings at the position. And the knocking-around-left-handed-pitchers part of the squadron is specifically why the Twins targeted Solano in the very first location. He’s batted.321 versus lefties because 2019, consisting of.300 or greater in all 4 seasons. His power is very little, however “Donnie Barrels” is a high-contact, line-drive player, and presuming he hasn’t lost more than an action defensively, he ‘d be a perfect army partner for Gordon. Later On: Edouard JulienPolanco’s lack unlocked for Edouard Julien to begin at 2nd base in a lot of early spring training video games, and the 23-year-old possibility satisfied prior to leaving camp to bet Canada on the planet Baseball Classic. He was optioned to Triple-A St. Paul prior to returning from the WBC, although that would not prevent the Twins from bring him on the Opening Day lineup. Julien is an exceptionally appealing player, integrating elite plate discipline with 20-homer power, however he’s yet to even play a Triple-A video game and is typically viewed as rather extended defensively at 2nd base. Julien will definitely be an aspect if Polanco misses out on months instead of days or weeks. Disallowing that, Gordon, Farmer and Solano are excellent enough that hurrying him to the majors is not likely. That’s gone! Edouard Julien is balling out this competition: WBC on FS2 pic.twitter.com/px3pFmQ7YL– FOX Sports: MLB( @MLBONFOX) March 15, 2023 Much later: Brooks Lee, Royce Lewis, Austin MartinThis trio held 3 of the leading 5 areas on my Twins possibility list released in January– Julien has actually given that moved up an area or 2 after ranking No. 6 then– however they’re each unready and/or not able to step into the major-league lineup. All 3 potential customers might emerge as 2nd base alternatives in the 2nd half if Polanco is still sidelined. And they ‘d all remain in play for 2024 and beyond. No. 1 possibility Brooks Lee played shortstop in college and most likely profiles best as a 3rd baseman in the majors, however 2nd base is likewise a practical fit. He’s simply 9 months eliminated from being prepared out of Cal-Poly and has just 31 professional video games under his belt, so Lee certainly requires a long time to establish in the high minors. Numerous Twins authorities have actually recommended that a 2023 launching is sensible. No. 2 possibility Royce Lewis is on track for a midseason return from his 2nd split ACL in as several years, so he’s of no instant aid to the Twins. He definitely looked big-league prepared last year in between knee surgical treatments, consisting of a remarkable 12-game launching for the Twins. Correa’s existence indicates Lewis will be moving off shortstop, and his ability profiles extremely well at 2nd base. No. 5 possibility Austin Martin has actually played mainly shortstop and center field in the minors, however lots of critics have actually felt that 2nd base is his finest long-lasting fit returning to his college days. Martin got great deals of associates at 2nd base early in camp and made some slick plays, now he’s out forever with a sprained right elbow ligament that might need surgical treatment. Huge PictureIf the Twins are positive that Polanco will be back eventually in April and even May, they can feel excellent turning to some mix of Gordon, Farmer and Solano to hold down the fort. Anything beyond that and Julien might get in the image. And come 2024, if the Twins choose to proceed from Polanco, they have a lot of 2nd base alternatives in Julien, Lewis, Lee, Gordon and Martin. They ‘d sure like Polanco back in the lineup as quickly as possible. (Top picture of Jorge Polanco: Ronald Martinez/ Getty Images).