The Seattle Mariners started off the free agency period with a bang, re-signing Josh Naylor to a five-year deal.
Now comes the rest of the business, when they decide how to supplement that big move.
One of Seattle's other outgoing free agents is the switch-hitting infielder Jorge Polanco. There would be at least some value in bringing him back, for the right price.
But it sounds like Polanco plans to play at least a bit of a waiting game here.
The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reported it like this:
"Polanco, 32, still would fit nicely, serving mostly as a designated hitter to protect his health but also playing second on days the Mariners want to use Cal Raleigh at DH. But Polanco, according to major-league sources, wants to play out the market. The Boston Red Sox might want him if they lose third baseman Alex Bregman, the Toronto Blue Jays might if they lose Bo Bichette. And those are just two possibilities."
It'd be a bit of a bummer for the Mariners if Polanco left for a different American League contender.
The Mariners do have a phenom on the way to help.
"(Colt) Emerson, the 22nd overall pick out of John Glenn High (New Concord, Ohio) in 2023, has played shortstop almost exclusively in the minors," writes Rosenthal. "He ultimately could replace the Mariners’ incumbent at short, J.P. Crawford, who is entering his free-agent year. But third base next season is not out of the question. The Mariners view Emerson the same way they did Julio Rodríguez entering 2022 — the kind of talent they won’t hold down if he shows he is ready in spring training."
If Emerson isn't quite ready, the strong-gloved Ben Williamson could hold down third base. This all assumes that Eugenio Suarez signs elsewhere.
It'll be interesting to track the rest of the Mariners' offseason. After making it to Game 7 of the ALCS, they might continue to be quite aggressive.
More MLB news:
- Mariners reach an offseason-winning extension with Josh Naylor
- Why Aaron Judge won AL MVP over Cal Raleigh
- Cal Raleigh didn't get a Joe DiMaggio benefit of the doubt in MVP vote
- Red Sox have one major need
- Pirates' infielder leaving MLB to play in Japan