The Mariners reportedly want Polanco back, and he wants to be back, so what's the hold up?
According to a report on Wednesday from Adam Jude of the Seattle Times, the Seattle Mariners and infielder Jorge Polanco both want a reunion in 2026.
Per Jude:
The Mariners have made their interest in Polanco well known, and a return to Seattle is believed to be Polanco’s preference, too. The two sides, though, do not appear to be close to a deal.
The market could come into focus for Polanco next week when industry executives and agents come together for the league’s annual meetings.
Polanco is seeking a multi-year contract, according to industry sources, and he’s expected to have healthy interest.
What about the money?
It's been well-assumed that Polanco will get a multi-year deal, somewhere between two and three years. Speculated money has been between $25 and $45 million.
In a perfect world, the Mariners would get him for two years, so as not to take on risk into his mid-30s, and they would get him for the cheapest amount possible, not impacting their other plans this offseason.
But we know it doesn't work that way all the time. Polanco hit .265 with 26 homers and 78 RBIs in 2025, and that kind of production comes at a price. We'll see if the Mariners can hit it.
Polanco is 32 years old and will tun 33 in July.
What's the sales pitch?
We addressed this on the most recent Refuse to Lose podcast:
And if I'm the Mariners, I have to remember this: I have a sales pitch that none of those teams have. "Jorge, you've been here for 2 years. You like our coaching staff, our coaching staff likes you. You've had success here. There's a degree of, there's a track record here. You like our clubhouse, you fit with our clubhouse.
We know your health situation, we know how to manage your health situation." The dollars will matter, of course, they always do, but the Mariners have a sales pitch that no other team has when it comes to Polanco. He's a guy who, I believe, this is me saying from the limited interactions I've had around him, seems like he likes being comfortable, likes routine, likes structure, and the Mariners provide that. And the Mariners provide a comfort level because he's done it for them for 2 years.
And let's not also forget that he knows he can produce at T-Mobile Park, and that the Mariners have the flexibility to play him at both designated hitter and second base. They could even mix him in at first.
The winter meetings begin on Dec. 7, so we could start see Polanco's situation come into focus.
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