The Seattle Mariners fell short of the World Series last season but managed to win the American League West for the first time since 2021. Jorge Polanco’s resurgent season was a key factor.
Polanco played in his 12th MLB season, his second with the Mariners, last year. After spending 10 seasons with the Minnesota Twins, he struggled with the Mariners in 2024. However, this past season, he slashed .265/.326/.495 in 138 games. The veteran was primarily a designated hitter this season and had the fourth-best OPS on the team.
Polanco’s stellar year set him up to potentially earn more money than he would have by accepting his $6 million player option. According to his MLB transaction tracker, he has elected free agency, meaning he has declined his option.
Polanco was an All-Star in 2019. Since then, he had a .749 OPS coming into last season. This season, he hit 26 home runs and proved he can still contribute on offense. He could reunite with the Mariners, but more teams could be interested in him now that he has put together another solid season.
He is 32 years old and may not be able to get anything more than a two-year deal. However, the veteran switch-hitter could be a solid veteran presence for a young team looking to contend. He played more as a designated hitter this year than ever before, so that could be his role moving forward.
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