Jorge Polanco has declined his $6 million vesting player option for 2026, making him a free agent after a strong 2025 season with the Seattle Mariners. The Mariners announced the decision on Wednesday and expressed interest in re-signing the 32-year-old infielder. Polanco's performance included 26 home runs and a finalist nod for the Silver Slugger Award.
The Seattle Mariners confirmed on Wednesday that Jorge Polanco, their 32-year-old second baseman and designated hitter, has declined a $6 million vesting player option for the 2026 season, entering free agency. This move follows Polanco's achievement of 450 plate appearances in 2025, which vested the option under his one-year, $7 million contract signed in January 2025. The deal included a $750,000 buyout and was designed to incentivize his recovery from left knee surgery in October 2024.
Polanco overcame knee and hamstring issues from his 2024 debut season in Seattle, where he was acquired from Minnesota in January 2024 for four players. Initially signed to play third base after a $12 million club option for 2025 was declined, he transitioned to a hybrid DH and second base role. Eased back during Spring Training and April 2025 due to knee recovery, he also managed a strained right oblique without an IL stint.
In 2025, Polanco posted a .265/.326/.495 slash line with an .821 OPS over 524 plate appearances in 138 games. He hit 26 home runs—his most since a career-high 33 in 2021—along with 30 doubles and 78 RBIs. His strikeout rate dropped to 15.6% from 29.2% in 2024, and he drew an 8% walk rate. In the playoffs, he added four homers, contributing to Seattle's run to the American League Championship Series, earning a Silver Slugger finalist spot at second base.
Polanco joins Mariners free agents Josh Naylor, Eugenio Suárez, Mitch Garver, Caleb Ferguson, and Luke Jackson. Seattle faces infield holes except at shortstop, where J.P. Crawford enters the final year of his five-year, $51 million deal from 2022. Prospects like Cole Young (MLB debut May 31, 2025), Ryan Bliss (recovering from biceps and meniscus injuries), Ben Williamson (.604 OPS in 85 games at third base), and top prospect Colt Emerson offer options. A reunion with Naylor at first base is logical but costly, potentially four to five years at up to $20 million annually.
The Mariners have $30-35 million to spend this offseason, per president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto. On the same day, they acquired right-hander Cole Wilcox from the Rays for cash and reinstated infielder Ryan Bliss (torn left biceps), reliever Gregory Santos (right knee inflammation), and Trent Thornton (torn left Achilles) from the 60-day injured list.