The Minnesota Twins are an ideal trading partner for the Blue Jays

Kepler’s defence took a hit in 2023, as he posted 10 Defensive Runs Saved and 12 Outs Above Average in 891.1 innings played in right field in 2022. In 2023, that dropped to 2 DRS and 4 OAA in 972.1 innings.

The Twins exercised Kepler’s team option worth $10 million. This is the final year of his deal before becoming a free agent after the season is up. Essentially a rental, he should have a relatively low cost considering the Twins want to drop payroll, and American League Central teams don’t have to be good to win the division.

Jorge Polanco:

Admittedly, second base is less of a need than outfield, a designated hitter with power, and a third baseman. However, Polanco could be a good offensive pickup.

Last season, the 30-year-old switch hitter slashed .225/.335/.454 with 14 homers in 343 plate appearances, along with a 10.5 BB% and a 25.7 K% for a 118 wRC+ and 1.5 fWAR. This was a bit of an off-season for Polanco, who slashed .269/.323/.503 with 33 home runs in 644 plate appearances for a 124 wRC+ and a 4.2 fWAR in 2021.

Defensively, Polanco should only be playing second base, as his defensive numbers at shortstop are… not great to say the least. In 4178 innings, he has -42 DRS and -31 OAA> His numbers at second base aren’t great either, as he has 2 DRS and -16 OAA in 2316 career innings at the keystone.

Unlike Kepler, Polanco has at most two full-season remaining on his deal. The Twins exercised his team option for the 2024 season, with his salary being $10.5 million. The 30-year-old has a second team option for the 2025 season worth $12 million. Still, Polanco will consistently put up a wRC+ above 110, so that’s pretty good value for him.

So would the Jays do it?:

Who knows what the Blue Jays are thinking after Ohtani signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers. What we do know is that they offered a deal to the two-way superstar in the same vicinity financially as the Dodgers did, so this team is committed to winning.

My ideal off-season would be to trade for Kepler and Polanco, sign Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and trade from their surplus of starters for a controllable third baseman like Isaac Paredes, but I’m definitely just dreaming here.

Either way, it’ll be a fun off-season, because you know the Jays front office won’t just sit on their hands!