Earlier this week, the Seattle Mariners acquired infielder Jorge Polanco from the Minnesota Twins for a package of four prospects, including reliever Justin Topa.
However, sources suggest that the deal may have been even larger, with Seattle reportedly inquiring about the availability of outfielder Max Kepler.
According to Jon Morosi of MLB.com:
Postscript on the Mariners-Twins trade: According to sources, Seattle enquired about Max Kepler’s availability and the possibility of a larger contract, but that portion of the discussions never gained traction.
Just a few items here:
1) It is likely that Kepler was available. The Twins have been in financial trouble due to broadcast money, and they announced at the start of the offseason that they may have a smaller payroll in 2024. They released Sonny Grey in free agency and have now depleted Polanco’s remaining funds. They would have probably been fine with getting Kepler’s remaining money off the books as well.
It’s likely that the two sides just couldn’t agree on acceptable trade compensation.
2) A Kepler trade might have been beneficial for Seattle, but it is uncertain how he would have fit in. The Mariners’ outfield includes Luke Raley, Julio Rodriguez, and Mitch Haniger, as well as Dom Canzone, Taylor Trammell, and Cade Marlowe. Was Seattle’s interest in Kepler before to obtaining Raley or Haniger, or was it ongoing? Would the Mariners have been willing to deal Ty France in order to play Raley at first and Kepler in the outfield?
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