The Seattle Mariners have already begun what's shaping up to be a very active offseason. They brought back Josh Naylor on a huge five-year, $92.5 million deal to be the full-time first baseman.
But there are still a few key priority free agents to bring back. Third baseman Eugenio Suarez and second baseman Jorge Polanco are important players to bring back.
Polanco is a priority re-signing for the Mariners. But as Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic report, the Mariners could wind up losing Polanco to the Toronto Blue Jays in one scenario.
How Mariners free agent Jorge Polanco could get poached by Blue Jays
"But Polanco, according to major-league sources, wants to play out the market." Rosenthal and Sammon write. "The Boston Red Sox might want him if they lose third baseman Alex Bregman, the Toronto Blue Jays might if they lose Bo Bichette."
Polanco wants to test the market, which could spell disaster for the Mariners. If the Blue Jays or Red Sox lose their star infielder, then Polanco might land a big contract from one of those AL East powerhouses.
While the Mariners could still wind up keeping Polanco even if the Blue Jays lose Bo Bichette and the Red Sox lose Alex Bregman, both of those clubs holding onto their stars would help the Mariners keep Polanco.
More: Mariners predicted to replace Jorge Polanco through trade for $5.4 million All-Star, Gold Glove
Those won't be the only teams he's drawing interest from, but the Mariners' second baseman/designated hitter would likely draw the best contracts from both of those teams.
Despite having the Blue Jays and Bichette eliminating Seattle from playoff contention in the ALCS, rooting for their reunion in free agency would be a positive outcome for the Mariners in their effort to keep Polanco.
Polanco could get poached by the Blue Jays or Red Sox this offseason, and it could all stem from Bichette or Bregman departing in free agency.
The Mariners might have a harder time retaining Polanco this offseason than initially thought. As Rosenthal and Sammon report, the Blue Jays and Red Sox, among others, might be strongly pursuing the Mariners veteran this offseason.
More Mariners News:
- Mariners' Cal Raleigh breaks Babe Ruth, Roger Maris other home run record in AL history books
- Mariners' Josh Naylor reveals his hope for free agency destination
- Mariners make $6 million Andres Munoz contract decision
- Mariners predicted to trade for 2 star hitters from AL East in blockbuster move
- Mariners named best fit for 56-home run free agent, needing to hold off the Dodgers