Twins exercise options on their longest-tenured players, Jorge Polanco and Max Kepler

Polanco is under contract through 2025, and Kepler will be a free agent after next season.

November 3, 2023 at 3:12AM
Max Kepler, left, and Jorge Polanco celebrated a Twins’ walk-off victory during the 2021 season. (Jeff Wheeler, Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

The Twins picked up team options on the contracts of their two longest-tenured players, Max Kepler and Jorge Polanco, on Thursday.

The options were almost identical. Kepler had a $10 million club option with a $1 million buyout. Polanco had a $10.5 million team option with a $1 million buyout.

The two players roomed together in spring training in 2010 after they were signed as teenagers, Kepler from Germany and Polanco from the Dominican Republic.

A strong second half from both players solidified the decision.

Polanco, a switch hitter who batted .255 with 14 homers and 48 RBI in 80 games, has a $12.5 million club option for 2025.

Kepler bounced back in a big way, hitting .260 with 24 homers, 22 doubles and 66 RBI in 130 games while playing strong defense in right field. He will be a free agent after next season.

Both players are 30 years old.

about the writer

Bobby Nightengale

Minnesota Twins reporter

Bobby Nightengale joined the Star Tribune in May, 2023, after covering the Reds for the Cincinnati Enquirer for five years. He's a graduate of Bradley University.

See More

More from Twins

card image

“I kind of liken myself to Mary Poppins — the kids know how to clean up their rooms now and take their medicine. They don’t need someone singing in the background to do it.”