Report: Mariners also enquired about Kepler during Polanco trade talks

Originally posted on FanNation Inside The Twins | Last updated 1/31/24

The Twins were reportedly not interested in including Max Kepler as part of a larger deal with the Mariners when they sent Jorge Polanco to Seattle this week.

MLB Network's Jon Morosi reported Wednesday morning that the Mariners inquired about Kepler's availability, but those talks went nowhere.

The Twins and Mariners pulled off a four-for-one trade late Monday that saw longtime Twins second baseman Jorge Polanco head to Seattle with four players coming back Minnesota's way.

The Twins acquired right-handed starter Anthony DeSclafani, right-handed reliever Justin Topa, outfield prospect Gabriel Gonzalez and right-handed pitching prospect Darren Bowen. The Mariners are also including cash in the deal to offset DeSclafani's salary of $12 million.

Postscript on Mariners-Twins trade:

I'm told Seattle inquired about Max Kepler's availability and the potential of a larger deal, but that aspect of the talks never gained traction. @MLBNetwork @SeattleSports
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) January 31, 2024

The Kepler addendum to the Polanco trade is an interesting bit of news as it either signals the Twins plan on keeping Kepler through the 2024 season, or there is possibly something else in the works involving the outfielder.

Kepler, 30, has spent all nine years of his professional career in Minnesota. In 2023 the outfielder slashed .260/.332/.484 while hitting 24 home runs and driving in 66 RBIs.

The Twins picked up Kepler's option at the end of the 2023 season but there has been plenty of speculation throughout the winter that the outfielder is on the trade block.

Among the rumors is that the Twins are looking to pick up another right-handed power bat, with the Red Sox's Adam Duvall linked on Wednesday.

This article first appeared on FanNation Inside The Twins and was syndicated with permission.

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