The Seattle Mariners have several things to point to as the reason why it was one win away from the World Series for the first time in franchise history.

One reason in the MVP-caliber season put together by catcher Cal Raleigh, another is the elite two-way play of center fielder Julio Rodriguez and another is the crucial trade deadline acquisitions of first baseman Josh Naylor and third baseman Eugenio Suarez.

When the story of the 2025 Mariners is mentioned, Jorge Polanco will be included.

The veteran second baseman/designated hitter had a resurgent season after a 2024 that looked to place the former All-Star's career at a crossroads.

Included in that resurgent season was a moment that will surely go down as one of the most important hits in franchise history.

Jorge Polanco by the numbers

Games played: 138

Hitting stats: .265 BA, 26 HRs, 78 RBIs, 64 Runs, 30 Doubles, 42 BB, 82 SOs, .326 OBP, .495 SLG, .821 OPS

Defensive stats: 144 TC, 1.000 Fielding

What I liked

Polanco was the team's third best hitter outside of Rodriguez and Raleigh but there were portions of the year where he was the team's best.

As crazy as it seems to think about, Polanco's April was rivaled only by the eventual American League MVP, New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge.

Polanco scored 11 runs in April and hit four doubles and eight home runs with 21 RBIs. He slashed .379/.422/.862 with a 1.484 OPS.

Polanco also ended the regular season on a strong note. In September, he crossed home plate 13 times and hit 13 doubles and four homers with 16 RBIs. He slashed .329/.380/.634 with a 1.114 OPS.

What's more impressive was Polanco was able to put together his bounce back season without being at full strength for a significant portion of it.

Polanco entered this season with scheduled days off due to a surgery to repair a damaged left patellar tendon last offseason. The switch-hitter was unable to hit from the right side of the plate in the early stages of the season due to a side injury and was kept out of the infield.

Polanco eventually resumed switch-hitting and reclaimed responsibility at second base later in the year.

When he was fully healthy, Polanco was able to play a serviceable, if not unspectacular, second base and maintain his offense from both sides of the plate.

Best moments

The entire American League Divisional Series was a playoff series for the ages for Polanco.

In Game 2 of the ALDS against the Detroit Tigers, Polanco went 3-for-4 with two runs, two home runs and two RBIs. Both his home runs came off back-to-back American League Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal.

In Game 7 of the ALDS, in the bottom of the 15th inning, Polanco stepped to the plate with one outs and the bases loaded.

On a full count, Polanco hit an RBI single to right field. That knock gave Seattle a 3-2 win and sent the organization to its first ALCS since 2001.

Future prospects

Polanco is an unrestricted free agent after he declined a $6 million player option. It was originally a vesting option that activated after Polanco met a certain number of plate appearances.

The Mariners and Polanco's representation have been in contacts but the Mariners will have a lot of competition for his services.

Polanco is reportedly being coveted by other AL contenders. The Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays are two teams that have been floated around in the rumor mill.

Final grade: B+

Polanco didn't have to come back to Seattle. He was coming off one of, if not the worst season of his career that was capped off with a knee surgery. He spent one year in the Pacific Northwest and could have left.

Instead, Polanco bet on himself and run it back with the M's. A wise gamble.

Time will tell whether or not the Mariners will be able to bring him back. If it does, Seattle will have one of the best and deepest lineups in the majors with Polanco, Josh Naylor, Rodriguez, Raleigh and Randy Arozarena.

Regardless of where he plays in 2026, Polanco has earned a favorable view among major league circles. And he'll command a big pay day in free agency.

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