The Seattle Mariners lost a top-priority player and recent playoff hero in free agency when Jorge Polanco signed a two-year, $40 million contract with the New York Mets.

The Mariners have several options in free agency and the trade market to find an answer at second base, including St. Louis Cardinals second baseman Brendan Donovan, who the team has been tied to in various reports and rumors.

Until Seattle brings in another second baseman, the position currently belongs to players still on the roster.

Here's an overview of the Mariners' lineup following Polanco's decision:

Mariners lineup:

C: Cal Raleigh
1B: Josh Naylor
2B: Cole Young/Ryan Bliss
3B: Ben Williamson/Colt Emerson (prospect)
SS: J.P. Crawford
LF: Randy Arozarena
CF: Julio Rodriguez
RF: Victor Robles/Dominic Canzone
DH: Canzone/Luke Raley

Bench: Miles Mastrobuoni (UTIL), Leo Rivas (2B/SS)

Overview

If Donovan is acquired by Seattle, he would become the team's de facto second baseman.

If the Mariners enter spring training without a new second baseman, it would likely come down to a competition between Young, Bliss and Rivas, similar to last year. Bliss won the competition before getting hurt in early April.

Young made his major league debut in May and was solid for three months before going into a slump in September. Bliss returned from his injury late in the season, but then suffered a damaged meniscus while on a rehab assignment in the minor leagues that kept him out for the rest of the year.

Polanco's departure also affects how Seattle will approach the designated hitter spot.

The veteran second baseman spent most of the season as the team's go-to DH before he stepped back into playing the infield full-time down the stretch.

The logical choice among the current roster is to have Canzone split time in the right field and at DH.

Canzone played just half the season but had by far the best season of his career. He scored 30 runs in 82 games, and hit 11 doubles and 11 home runs with 32 RBIs. He slashed .300/.358/.481 with an .839 OPS.

Canzone is also a candidate to start in right field in 2026. He could platoon with Victor Robles, who missed most of this past season with a left shoulder dislocation and fracture.

Luke Raley, who also dealt with an injury-plagued 2025, plays both first base and right field and could be a candidate to receive plate appearances as a DH.

Young is a former top 100 prospect who the Mariners had pinned as the team's second baseman of the future. Bliss, a former second-round pick, is one big question mark due to only playing 44 major league games. He made his major league debut in 2024 and played 33 games and played 11 this past season before getting injured.

But Donovan, who's coming off his first All-Star selection in '25, would provide a big on-base post to the M's lineup. He's under team control through 2027.

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