According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, infielder Jorge Polanco has agreed to a deal to rejoin the Seattle Mariners. Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports that it is a one-year deal worth $7.75 million, including a player/mutual option depending on plate appearances next season. Polanco entered free agency in November after the Mariners had declined his $12 million option for 2025.
Free-agent infielder Jorge Polanco in agreement with Mariners, pending physical, sources tell me and @Chandler_Rome. Had been Astros target. Mariners acquired him from Twins last January.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 31, 2025
Jorge Polanco, Mariners Agree to One-Year Contract
Polanco is coming off a tough season with the Mariners following three excellent ones with the Minnesota Twins. Seattle acquired Polanco last offseason in hopes of boosting its offense and supporting a great pitching staff.
Unfortunately, Polanco and the team’s overall offense regressed mightily. In 2024, Polanco batted .213/.296/.355 (93 OPS+) with 16 home runs in 118 games. The veteran posted one of the highest strikeout rates in the game (29.3%) while featuring too much swing and miss. Additionally, when he made contact, it tended to be weak and with less-than-ideal launch angles.
The biggest thing that changed for Jorge Polanco in Seattle was the strikeout rate, and the issues with the batting eye there are well documented. He also was striking out more like he normally does late in season. I think he’ll be an above league average bat again next year. pic.twitter.com/iAa1HohV4j
— Eno Sarris (@enosarris) November 1, 2024
The 31-year-old did no better defensively. In 925 1/3 innings at second base, Polanco generated -1 Defensive Runs Saved and -10 Outs Above Average. Though defensive metrics can be fluky, they have consistently disliked Polanco’s defense at various infield spots throughout his career.
Despite his struggles, Seattle will sign Polanco to a low-risk contract in hopes he rebounds to his peak performance. From 2021-2023 with the Twins, Polanco hit .255/.333/.462 (120 OPS+) with 63 home runs and 69 doubles.
Though his strikeout rate has risen significantly each year since 2021, he at least made great contact during those three years. Polanco will likely benefit from striking out less, but the biggest factor in determining his future success will be if he can get back to making good contact.
Reason for Optimism
Many evaluators might attribute his struggles to injury. Polanco managed a patellar tendon issue in his left knee throughout the 2024 season and underwent surgery to repair it in October. While Polanco has dealt with the knee issue for multiple seasons, it seemingly got worse last year.
Jorge Polanco came to the Winter Meetings and met with at least the Astros and Jays. He’s working out in Dallas and completely healthy for the first time in a few years.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 10, 2024
That said, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported that Polanco attended the Winter Meetings and was “completely healthy for the first time in a few years.” If improved health can help Polanco return to his peak, his contract with the Mariners might provide immense value in 2025.
Photo Credit: © Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images
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