The Last Hope of the Jorge Polanco Trade

Gabriel Gonzalez is the Twins' last hope of the Mariners-Jorge Polanco trade

When the Minnesota Twins traded beloved All-Star infielder Jorge Polanco to the Seattle Mariners in January 2024, the fanbase was divided. Polanco was a productive, switch-hitting veteran and a clubhouse leader. In return, the Twins received a four-player package designed to provide both immediate bullpen help and future potential. However, as the 2025 season concludes, the immediate help has evaporated, leaving the trade's entire legacy resting on the shoulders of one young prospect: Gabriel Gonzalez.

The package for Polanco included two MLB-ready pitchers, Anthony DeSclafani and Justin Topa, and two prospects, Gonzalez and pitcher Darren Bowen. The plan for the big-league pieces crumbled before it ever began. DeSclafani, who was included largely as a salary offset, required season-ending elbow surgery in March 2024 and never threw a single regular-season pitch for the Twins.

The more impactful player is Topa. Acquired to be a high-leverage, ground ball specialist for the bullpen, Topa battled a knee injury that delayed his 2024 debut and was largely ineffective when he did pitch. In 2025, he failed to secure the high-leverage role the team envisioned. He scuffled along to a very mediocre season, leading to his recent buy out from the Twins team option, who now must decide if they want to offer him arbitration. To date, his part of the acquisition is a clear disappointment. Pitcher Darren Bowen was the "other guy" in the deal. With uninspiring numbers, he still remains in the Twins' minor league system, with any success being a bonus.

This leaves only Gabriel Gonzalez. From day one, Gonzalez was the true prize. As a consensus top-100 prospect, the young outfielder represents the high-upside potential the Twins demanded for Polanco. His aggressive, power-hitting approach has drawn praise as he has progressed through the minor leagues. Now, he is not just one of the team's top outfield prospects; he is the last remaining hope for the Polanco trade to be anything other than a loss. An average defensive outfielder slotted for a corner outfield or DH role, Gonzalez must continue to slug his way into MLB longevity. The trade was not about 2024; it was a bet on 2026 and beyond. The verdict on this deal remains to be written, but it will be almost entirely on the success or failure of Gonzalez.

As an aside, I don't see a 2026 reunion with Polanco making sense. At 31, he'll be looking for his last big money contract after his most productive season in Seattle. The Twins are in rebuild mode. With the ascension of Luke Keaschall, I just don't see this as a fit for either party.