Last night, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported that the Mariners have re-signed free-agent INF Jorge Polanco.
The deal is for one-year, for $7.75 million, with $750k of that being a vesting/mutual option, and potential incentives that could raise it over $11 million.
Polanco was a Mariner in 2024, and had his worst season since 2020 – the 92 wRC+ he posted was the second worst in his 11-year career. The most concerning change in his bat was an inflated strikeout rate of 29.2%, the highest of his career. This led to the Mariners declining his $12 million club option in November.
This dip in Polanco’s bat can partially be attributed to nagging injuries he dealt with for most of the 2024 season. He landed on the injured list with a right hamstring strain in May, which saw him miss almost a month of playing time. After the season concluded, it was then reported that he underwent surgery on the patellar tendon in his left knee.
It is still unclear whether Polanco will be ready for Spring Training or even Opening Day. Polanco’s team has been pushing the narrative all winter that he will be ready in time for the trip to Peoria.
Rosenthal’s initial post on X breaking the news of the deal was preceded by another post stating the Mariners plan to move Polanco to third base. Shannon Drayer of Seattle Sports explained in her own X post that the move would “be easier on his legs range-wise and also won’t have to turn the double play”.
In 2024, Polanco played all but five of his games at second base, boasting a less-than-stellar -10 Outs Above Average. In his entire career Polanco has only manned third base for 180 innings. With the hot corner being one of the most important defensive positions on the diamond, there is a massive risk of placing a player who is fresh off of knee surgery there.
However, this opens up some better options for other positions. Super-utilityman Dylan Moore can handle more innings at second base, which is arguably his best position. Furtermore, recent free-agent signing Donovan Solano will now have an easier time being plugged in to other needs in the infield.
The biggest argument FOR this deal is looking at the other free-agent options for third base. Outside of Alex Bregman, whom the Mariners cannot afford, the remaining heap is headlined by Yoán Moncada.
This signing is one that prays on the potential upside. Can a healthy Jorge Polanco get back in form in 2025? Absolutely, and if he does, it would be huge for Seattle. If not, then it’s just another in a long line of free-agent bat signing to fail in the Emerald City.
Jake Tomasello is a Mariners fan from Seattle, and can be found on Twitter @RaiseTheTrident.
Featured Image: Steph Chambers/Getty Images
