Jorge Polanco is back on the open market, per the New York Post’s Jon Heyman. The contract math tracks: during the season he converted a mutual option into a $6 million player option for 2026, and declining that sends him into a second-tier infield market that needs switch-hitting pop and playable defense.
The competition at second/third includes Gleyber Torres, Brandon Lowe (club option), Willi Castro and others, with Polanco profiling as a mid-cost bat-first upgrade for teams that missed on the headliners.
The sell is the 2025 rebound. After a rough 2024, Polanco delivered a.265/.326/.495 line with 26 homers over 138 games for Seattle, restoring the game power and stabilizing the swing decisions (8.0% walk rate, 15.6% K). That version plays in the 5–6 spot and shortens rallies without sacrificing damage.
Under the hood, it looks real. Statcast had him at a 90.8 mph average exit velocity, 45.8% hard-hit rate, 10.3% barrel rate and a.349 xwOBA — all pointing to sustainable thump if he stays on the field. He’s not a plus defender, but the bat-to-damage mix holds up at second or third with late-inning defensive swaps.
He fits with teams who will be priced out of Torres or front offices prioritizing shorter terms with AAV flexibility.
Polanco was a postseason hero for the Mariners, but they still have room to maneuver.
Public reporting pegs their 2026 commitments around $130–$135 million, leaving roughly $30–$35 million to allocate. That is enough to replace his bat via a shorter-term 3B/2B platoon, a righty corner bat, or to redirect funds toward run prevention after a middling-efficiency staff year. They can also circle back if his market lingers.
Polanco isn’t a big hot stove splash, but he’s the exact kind of bounce-back bat that contenders use to win. Front offices tend to remember those big October moments.