Just a few days after he was rumored to be a potential replacement for Alex Bregman with the Houston Astros, versatile infielder Jorge Polanco reached an agreement Thursday to return to the Seattle Mariners on a one-year deal.
The deal is pending a physical and guarantees Polanco a minimum of $7.75 million, per Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. His base salary will be $7 million for 2025, plus a $750,000 buyout on the player/mutual option. According to Ari Alexander of KPRC2, Polanco could make up to $11.25 million after potential incentives.
Mariners, INF Jorge Polanco reportedly agree to deal, per multiple reports including https://t.co/Z3s2EpgF39's @Feinsand. pic.twitter.com/wQPDjH4Klj
— MLB (@MLB) January 31, 2025
Polanco underwent surgery to repair the patellar tendon in his left knee during the offseason after reportedly playing through discomfort for the majority of the 2024 season, but he is expected to be ready for spring training. Brian Murphy of MLB.com reports that despite playing primarily at second base for the Mariners last season, Polanco is expected to move to third base in 2025.
Jorge Polanco re-signs with Mariners, expected to play third base in 2025
Before last season, Polanco had been widely regarded as one of the most productive middle infielders in baseball, slashing .255/.333/.462 with a 10.1% walk rate in more than 1400 plate appearances over his final three seasons with the Minnesota Twins. An MLB All-Star in 2019, the 31-year-old has a .263 career average with 128 homers and 492 RBI in 11 Major League seasons – 10 with Minnesota (2014-23) and one with Seattle (2024).
The Mariners traded for Polanco during the 2023-24 offseason, hoping he would provide a significant boost on offense. Instead, he ended up having a career-worst season at the plate in which he slashed just .213/.296/.355 with 16 home runs through 469 plate appearances. He also spent close to a month on the injured list between May and June with a strained hamstring.
Polanco's disappointing season in Seattle prompted the Mariners to decline his $12 million option in 2025, instead paying a $750,000 buyout and allowing him to become a free agent. Now, he will get a second chance to return to form and produce at the level he did in Minnesota.
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