Postseason star Polanco agrees with Mets on 2-year deal (source)

NEW YORK -- Throughout the early offseason, even as they parted with franchise stalwarts Pete Alonso, Brandon Nimmo and Edwin Díaz, Mets officials insisted that this was not a rebuild or a reset, but a reshaping of the roster.

The Mets still intend to construct a playoff team, which they took a step toward doing Saturday with a two-year agreement for Jorge Polanco -- a switch-hitting infielder known in large part for his work in the postseason. The contract, which the Mets have not confirmed because it's not yet official, is worth $40 million, according to a source.

Although Polanco boasts significant experience at second base, third base and shortstop, the Mets signed him to play a position he has manned for one batter in the Majors: first base. That makes him, in effect, their short-term Alonso replacement, though Polanco's versatility will still earn him reps around the diamond, as well as at designated hitter.

The Mets' starting infield most nights should consist of Polanco at first, Marcus Semien at second, Francisco Lindor at shortstop and Brett Baty at third. Behind them, Mark Vientos, Ronny Mauricio and Luisangel Acuña are all in play for roster spots, while Jeff McNeil figures to move around the diamond. It's possible the Mets trade from that logjam at some point this offseason.

After a poor Mariners debut in 2024, Polanco, 32, rebounded with his best offensive year since 2021, posting a .265/.326/.495 slash line (.821 OPS) with 26 home runs and 78 RBIs. He was scorching out of the gate, hitting nine home runs by the end of April and owning an OPS over 1.000 as late as mid-May. He then picked things back up at the end of the year after a midseason slump.

In addition to batting .329 with a 1.014 OPS in September, Polanco became one of the Mariners' top October threats. He homered twice off Tigers ace Tarik Skubal to help the Mariners take Game 2 of the American League Division Series, then came up with the walk-off hit in Game 5 to send Seattle to the AL Championship Series. Polanco drove in two runs in ALCS Game 1 in Toronto and hit a go-ahead three-run homer in Game 2 to help the Mariners take a 2-0 lead over the Blue Jays in the series.

Polanco did not receive a qualifying offer from the Mariners after the season, so there is no Draft pick compensation attached to him or penalty for signing him.

In 2025, Polanco looked like the player the Mariners expected when they acquired him from the Twins during the 2023-24 offseason. In his first season with Seattle, he batted just .213 with a .651 OPS, including a .606 OPS at home. Defensively, his -10 Outs Above Average (OAA) at second base ranked last among 37 qualifying players at the position.

This year, the Mariners primarily deployed Polanco as their designated hitter, starting him 87 times at DH, 34 at second base (-1 OAA in 2025) and five at third base. Although Polanco has never been an elite defender at any position, he's replacing a well below-average first baseman in Alonso. The Mets will give Polanco every opportunity to adjust to his new position.

Polanco debuted at age 20 with the Twins in 2014 and spent his first 10 MLB seasons with Minnesota. In his 12-year career, he owns a .263/.330/.442 slash line with 154 career home runs. He has a .787 career OPS as a left-handed hitter and a .737 OPS batting right-handed.

Polanco joins Semien and closer Devin Williams as the Mets' major acquisitions so far this winter. The team still has plenty of holes to fill, including in the outfield, starting rotation and bullpen. But with the addition of Polanco, their infield appears mostly set.