Polanco suspension creates issues for Twins
By Tyler Haag
The Minnesota Twins will be without their starting shortstop for the first 80 games of the regular season and the postseason, if they should make it that far.
Jorge Polanco was suspended by Major League Baseball for failing a drug test and the Twins will now most likely be plugging Eduardo Escobar into the lineup as the everyday starter at short. Minnesota has hopes of being a contender in the AL Central race this season and losing an everyday player like Polanco for that length of time could end up hurting their chances.
On top of the Polanco suspension, the Twins are also dealing with concerns of the possible suspension of Miguel Sano for his alleged sexual misconduct, which will change everything in the infield. Sano missing extended time means that Escobar may have to start at third, in which case, Erick Aybar could be playing nearly everyday at shortstop.
With a couple of young infield prospects climbing the ladder in the minors, the Twins will also have the option of bringing up one of those prospects to fill the lineup out, although this option seems highly unlikely as to avoid such a situation is most likely the main reason Aybar was signed in the first place.
No doubt this hurts the Twins in 2018, but the possibility of Sano missing time and Brian Dozier in the last year of his contract being possible trade bait, there may be bigger issues on the horizon for Paul Molitor and company this year.