According to a recent report from the Boston Globe, the Boston Red Sox are considering adding free agent infielder Jorge Polanco this offseason. Polanco spent the last two years with the Seattle Mariners, and the Mariners have desires to bring him back this offseason.

The Polanco file 

Now 32 years old, Polanco will turn 33 in July. After an injury-plagued 2024, he rebounded in a big way this past season, hitting .265 with 26 homers and 78 RBIs as the Mariners got to the American League Championship Series.

He offers offensive versatility as a switch-hitter and can rotate between second base and designated hitter. There's even a possibility that a team could use him at third base in a pinch.

The money

Because of his age, Polanco is being routinely projected for a two or three-year deal worth somewhere between $25 and $45 million. That makes him an affordable option for most teams looking for offensive help.

In Boston's case, it would allow them to save money in one spot while also going after a high-priced free agent like Pete Alonso, Kyle Schwarber or Kyle Tucker. 

Does he even make sense for the Red Sox?

Let's not bury the lede here. Jorge Polanco is a good player and good players help teams have good seasons. Boston hasn't won a World Series since 2018 and is coming off a wild card round exit in the playoffs, so they have a desire to put their best foot forward this offseason.

However, the positioning in this fit is wonky for a few reasons.

1) Polanco played primarily designated hitter for the Mariners in 2025. The Red Sox currently have four outfielders (Jarren Duran, Ceddanne Rafaela, Wilyer Abreu and Roman Anthony) that have to rotate through the DH spot, as well as the high-priced Masataka Yoshida. 

In order to allow Polanco to get substantial time there, the Red Sox would have to trade an outfielder and probably trade or release Yoshida. It can be done, but it's complex.

2) What about Kristian Campbell and Marcelo Mayer? Two former top 10 prospects, you would think the Red Sox want to give them time on the field. If Polanco is here, at least one of them is stunted, and that's odd, considering the team already paid Campbell as well.

3) And the one guy we didn't mention up top? That's Alex Bregman. The Red Sox want him back, and they think they need him back. Does bringing in Polanco preclude them from doing that? Could they really bring in both and jettison both Mayer and Campbell?

Should Mariners fans be worried?  

Any time that you hear another team is interested, you should be nervous.

That said, those issues above make it difficult to foresee Polanco playing for Boston. The Mariners also have what the Red Sox don't have: Familiarity and comfort for Polanco, as well as an established track record of success for him. Great clubhouse relationships can also go a long way as well.

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