Jorge Polanco Rejoins Mariners on Free-Agent Deal for 2025 Season

The Seattle Mariners have made a significant move by agreeing to a free-agent contract with infielder Jorge Polanco, as reported by MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand. While the team has yet to officially confirm the agreement, sources indicate that the contract is set to guarantee Polanco a total of $7.75 million, which includes a base salary of $7 million for the 2025 season along with a $750,000 buyout option for the 2026 season.

Polanco is anticipated to take on the role of third baseman for Seattle this season. Notably, he entered the 2024 season as one of only six middle infielders to maintain an OPS of .750 or higher consistently from 2019 to 2023, joining the ranks of prominent players like José Altuve, Corey Seager, Bo Bichette, Xander Bogaerts, and Trea Turner.

However, Polanco’s performance took a downturn following his trade from the Minnesota Twins to the Mariners. Throughout the 2024 season, he struggled significantly, recording an OPS of just .651, along with career lows in both batting average (.213) and on-base percentage (.296). His strikeout rate surged to 29.2%, a stark increase from his career average of 18.2%.

Part of Polanco’s struggles can be attributed to a lingering left knee injury that plagued him for much of the season. Earlier in the offseason, he underwent surgery to address this issue, but it’s worth noting that knee and hamstring injuries have led to five stints on the injured list over the past three years.

When healthy, Polanco has demonstrated his ability as a formidable offensive player. From 2018 to 2023, he consistently posted an OPS+ of at least 110 in each full season. His power numbers include a standout year in 2019 where he hit 22 home runs, a career-high of 33 in 2021, and despite a challenging 2024 season, he still managed to hit 16 homers.

An experienced 11-year veteran, Polanco spent the first decade of his Major League career with the Minnesota Twins. He earned extended playing time starting in 2016 and has since recorded an impressive .269/.334/.446 batting line with 112 home runs over his eight full seasons. However, defensively, he has struggled, ending the previous season with a minus-10 Outs Above Average at second base, ranking as the worst among qualified players at that position.