MLB insider gives latest update on Jorge Polanco and Max Kepler trade talks

It hasn't been the toastiest winter for the Minnesota Twins, as the only thing heating up during hot stove season is the blood of fans frustrated over the lack of movement.

Minnesota set a dour tone from the outset, announcing that the most exciting postseason since 2002 would be chased by the payroll being severely reduced. Concerns over television revenue due to Diamond Sports Group going belly up have forced the Twins to be even more frugal than they usually are, and the result has been nothing but subtractions from the roster without any meaningful additions.

While the market has slowly started to move, the Twins remain dormant. That doesn't mean there won't be action on the other side of the league's holiday break. Historically the team has waited until after the New Year to make a move, something that has worked out very well.

Sonny Gray, Kenta Maeda, Pablo Lopez, and Carlos Correa were all major additions the team made after the calendar rolled over, which is a pretty good track record. We might be in for another big move as the Twins have two of the most valuable trade chips of the offseason waiting to be flipped.

Latest update on Jorge Polanco and Max Kepler trade rumors

According to MLB insider Jon Morosi, the Twins haven't made much progress in trade talks involving Jorge Polanco and Max Kepler but that's expected to change as the free agent market settles. Specifically, once guys like Rhys Hoskins and Justin Turner sign deals, things should start moving on the trade front.

"The Twins are listening to trade offers on both Max Kepler and Jorge Polanco. No deal is close. Their markets should clarify as free agents Hoskins, Turner, and Martínez sign. Minnesota is looking at rotation help in return following departures of Gray, Maeda," Morosi reported.

This isn't particularly groundbreaking, but it at least lets us know the Twins are somewhat active even if it's not happening out in the open. It's long been known that Minnesota was probably going to trade at least one of the two and it's now increasingly likely that both of them are dealt.

Minnesota's financial situation makes Kepler and Polanco even more valuable currency when it comes to adding to the roster -- specifically starting pitching. The Twins are likely priced out of the Blake Snell market and guys like Marcus Stroman and Jordan Montgomery are on the fringe both price-wise and talent-wise. Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke are fringe veteran options but also likely to sign with a more solid conteder.

All of this further suggets that the trade market is where the Twins will find a replacement for Sonny Gray. They already missed out on Tyler Glasnow, but pitchers like Logan Gilbert and Jesus Luzardo are intrguing top options.

It hasn't been particularly fun watching the Twins sit on their hands, but it feels like only a matter of time before they cannonball into the market.