Seattle Mariners infielder/designated hitter Jorge Polanco officially declined his end of a contract option on Wednesday afternoon. The deal was worth $6 million (despite the post below saying $8 million) and the opt-out means that Polanco is just one step from becoming an unrestricted free agent.

The Mariners could offer him a qualifying offer at one-year and $22 million, but they'd have to do that by Thursday's deadline. If they do not do that, he will become an unrestricted free agent. The Mariners would be expected to make a run at signing him again if that were the case.

Polanco's resurgent year

After an injury-plagued 2024 campaign, Polanco put together an excellent 2025 season. He hit .265 with 26 homers and 78 RBIs, delivering several big hits for the M's on their way to the American League Championship Series.

He had the game-winning hit in Game 5 of the American League Division Series which sent Seattle to the ALCS, while also homering off Tarik Skubal twice in Game 2 of that series.

He also excelled early in the ALCS, getting game-winning hits in both Game 1 and 2 against the Blue Jays.

He's a finalist for the Silver Slugger Award at second base.

The reasons to bring him back to Seattle

Simple. He had a great year and if the Mariners want to get back to the ALCS - and beyond - they need more good players in the lineup. Furthermore, he's a switch-hitter who helps alleviate matchup issues, he fits in with the clubhouse culture and he's already shown he can succeed at T-Mobile Park. Bonus points for knowing that he works in a lineup with Cal Raleigh and Julio Rodriguez.

The questions moving forward

The money is always going to be the first question. How high does the bidding go for Polanco and does it make the M's uncomfortable? Furthermore, he's 32 years old and will be 33 in July. Do the M's trust him to age well? Do they trust him to stay healthy? His OPS+ of 134 was the highest of his entire career (as a regular player). Can he replicate that?

And how about positional fit? Do the Mariners want to play him at second base, blocking Cole Young? Do they want to play him at designated hitter and eat up the position for Raleigh when he needs time? Can they find a way to make it work for every one involved?

Likely course of action

It's unlikely that the Mariners will offer Polanco a qualifying offer and then he'll become a free agent. At that point, the M's will be in competition with 29 other teams for his services. It seems that he'll get a multi-year deal, but how high the numbers go will dictate what the M's can do.

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