The Seattle Mariners lost one of their best all-around hitters earlier this offseason when veteran second baseman Jorge Polanco signed a two-year, $40 million contract with the New York Mets.

Polanco, who will enter his age-32 season next season, was a switch-hitter and capable of being an everyday player against right- and left-handed pitching alike.

This past season, Polanco scored 64 runs in 138 games, and he hit 30 doubles and 26 home runs and 78 RBIs. He slashed .265/.326/.495 with an .821 OPS. Polanco hit .308 with 10 doubles, five homers and 19 RBIs in 104 at-bats against southpaws in 2025.

With Polanco gone, Seattle bolstered its lineup's potency against lefties by signing first-baseman/outfielder Rob Refsnyder to a one-year contract.

Refsnyder, who will turn 35-years-old in 2026, scored 29 times in 70 games and hit 12 doubles and nine home runs with 30 RBIs. He slashed .269/.354/.484 with an .838 OPS. When facing left-handed pitching, Refsnyder hit .302 in 116 ABs and connected with seven homers and 25 RBIs.

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In a recent episode of the "Refuse to Lose" podcast, ESPN insider Buster Olney spoke with Roundtable Sports' Brady Farkas. The former praised the move by the Mariners.

"I loved it," Olney said on the podcast. "Rob is a great pro, you know he came up as an infielder and now, when he plays, he's an outfielder, DH, pinch-hitter — that type of thing. There's no overstating the damage he does against left-handed pitching. His OPS is about 350 points higher against lefties than righties. It was about .960 last year. So if you are Dan Wilson and the opposing team is bringing in a lefty in a reliever or on a given day, you're facing a guy like a Tarik Skubal, having a Rob Refsnyder on your bench available as a part-time player, that is a weapon. There's no question about it. You like the fact that he could potentially matchup with some of the other left-handed hitters as possible platoons as they make their daily choices with their lineup."

Refsnyder played all of this past season with the Boston Red Sox in the corner outfield spots and as a designated hitter. He played 29 games in right, 20 games as DH and 16 games in left.

With Refsnyder in the fold, Seattle has several options in right field: Refsnyder, Victor Robles, Dominic Canzone and Luke Raley.

Refnsyder will also likely get a good chunk of starts and reps at DH, which has been used fluidly by the Mariners over the last several seasons.

You can listen to the full episode between Farkas and Olney here:

ESPN MLB Insider Buster Olney on Refsnyder Signing + Cole Young's Status + Felix HOF Refuse to Lose - a Seattle Mariners Podcast · Episode

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