
The Seattle Mariners have already had a successful offseason and the club is looking to make it an even better one.
The Mariners began the offseason on a strong note by signing first baseman Josh Naylor to a five-year, $92.5 million contract. Seattle then bolstered its bullpen by trading for left-handed reliever Jose Ferrer in return for top 100 catching prospect Harry Ford.
After the pair of moves, Seattle still has needs at second base, third base and is looking to add even more arms to the bullpen.
The Mariners could reportedly get their answer at second base in the coming days, according to a recent report from Seattle Times reporter Ryan Divish, who's on-site at MLB winter meetings in Orlando, Fla.
According to comments made in a report from Divish, Seattle president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto reaffirmed the team's desire to bring back veteran second baseman Jorge Polanco, who's spent the last two seasons with the franchise.
Polanco has received extended interest from around the majors from both National League and American League teams.
“We’ve been in touch. Like I said, the market will move when the market moves," Dipoto said in the article. " ... I think that’s what a player earns by getting to free agency is the chance to go look and see what’s out there. ... We’re not offended by it. We don’t have a game tomorrow. We obviously have interest in Jorge. He’s spent two years with us. He’s a great guy (and) fits as well.”
According to Divish's reporting, Polanco's agent, Ulises Cabrera, has been pushing for his client to receive a deal three-to-four years in length worth more than $12 million annually. The Mariners reportedly have $11.5-16.5 million left to spend in free agency "as a starting point," according to comments made earlier in the offseason by Dipoto.
According to another report from ESPN's Jesse Rogers, Polanco is expected to sign with a team during winter meetings. The meetings conclude Dec. 10.
This past season, Polanco scored 64 runs in 138 games, and hit 30 doubles and 26 home runs with 78 RBIs. He slashed .265/.326/.495 with an .821 OPS.
Polanco, despite only spending two seasons with the franchise, will be forever be etched into the history of the organization because of his performance in this past postseason.
Polanco hit two home runs in Game 2 of the American League Divisional Series against back-to-back American League Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal. In Game 5 of the ALDS, Polanco hit a walk-off RBI single to give Seattle a 3-2 win against the Detroit Tigers and send the M's to their first American League Championship Series since 2001.
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