A bold opening would be: the Mets just made a bold bet on a veteran infielder to reshape their lineup and defend the last remaining pieces of a volatile off-season puzzle. But here's where it gets controversial: will Jorge Polanco’s fit as a first baseman and occasional third baseman really compensate for the offensive losses Mets fans have endured? In plain terms, New York has reportedly agreed to a two-year, $40 million deal with Jorge Polanco, per reports from The Athletic’s Will Sammon and others, with ESPN’s Jeff Passan corroborating the figure. Polanco, represented by Octagon, will join a Mets club that has faced a rough week, losing Pete Alonso and Edwin Diaz to free agency and seeing Brandon Nimmo traded away in the recent deal that brought Marcus Semien to town. The Mets are positioning Polanco as a multi-purpose piece, primarily at first base and as a designated hitter, while keeping open the possibility of using him at third base if needed. This marks a notable shift for a franchise that now envisions Polanco as a bridge toward replacing Alonso at first base and upgrading overall defense, even as the club contends with the shaken offense from the offseason exits.
Polanco, 32, enjoyed a strong 2025 season with the Seattle Mariners, hitting .265/.326/.495 with 26 home runs over 524 plate appearances and playing a central role as Seattle won the AL West. After a subdued 2024, he signed a one-year deal to return to Seattle in 2025, which paid him $7.75 million guaranteed. He opted out of a $6 million player option for 2026, preferring to explore free agency after a very productive year. His 132 wRC+ in 2025 was the best of his career, and he reduced strikeouts while posting a career-best 45.8% hard-hit rate. On a deeper level, his performance suggested that his bounce-back year was legitimate, with a .269 BABIP hinting that even stronger numbers could have been in reach.
A notable caveat from 2025 was Polanco’s usage as a DH in 89 games, far higher than in prior seasons. An early-season oblique injury kept him from frequent on-field duty, prompting the Mariners to limit his time at second/short and to lean more on DH appearances, especially against left-handed pitching. While there’s no immediate evidence that a similar usage pattern will persist, the Mets’ plan to deploy him at first base could reflect age, slightly weaker defensive numbers at second/third, and the fact that Marcus Semien is already entrenched at second base. Polanco has only one career appearance at first base—a brief late-game cameo in Seattle’s 5-4 loss to the Giants last April—so the defensive transition will be watched closely.
Even if Polanco’s defense at first is average, the Mets may view him as a practical upgrade over Alonso’s glove work. With the DH spot open and Polanco offering versatility at third base as well, this signing doesn’t necessarily close the door on other targets such as Cody Bellinger or Willson Contreras, who could bring more offense or a more specialized fit at first base depending on how the roster shapes up in the coming months.
From a broader perspective, the Mets replaced Alonso and Nimmo with Polanco and Semien, a pairing that carries risk given Semien’s 2025 struggles. The club’s stated priority has been run prevention and improved defense, and acquiring Polanco aligns with a plan to strengthen the infield and lineup quality without overcommitting to long-term commitments. MLB Trade Rumors’’ preseason ranking had Polanco as the 23rd-best free agent, with a projection close to the two-year, $42 million mark. Polanco’s agreement sits near that benchmark, reflecting a preference for higher annual value within a shorter tenure rather than a longer, more secure contract.
The broader winter market suggests continued infield intrigue, with clubs such as the Pirates and Red Sox among those showing interest, and reports of Mariners interest in returning Polanco or pursuing Eugenio Suárez alongside other options. For Seattle, re-signing Josh Naylor was a top priority, after which the team could pivot toward adding Polanco’s versatility and balance infield depth. As the offseason unfolds, expect further movement that could still alter the Mets’ plans, whether through trades or signings that alter the balance of power in the NL East.
