On Saturday, news came down that the Mets and free agent infielder Jorge Polanco had come to terms on a two-year, $40 million deal, with ESPN’s Jeff Passan saying New York intends to use Polanco at both first base and designated hitter in 2026.

This signing is yet another blow for the Red Sox, who have been linked to Polanco at various points this offseason and remain a team in desperate need of adding more consistent offense to their lineup after whiffing on free agent pursuits of Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber and Mets power hitter Pete Alonso - the former re-signing in Philadelphia and the latter opting for a better contract offer from a lesser team in the AL East in Baltimore.

As of Friday, Polanco was seen by many as one of Boston’s top five remaining offensive targets. Now, they’ll have to watch yet another former All-Star that was on their radar play elsewhere this upcoming opening day.

Polanco played 138 games in 2025, slashing .265/.326/.495 with 26 home runs, 78 RBI, and an .821 OPS - one of his best full season outputs in years. He contributed 64 runs scored and walked 42 times while striking out 82 times, showing a strong overall offensive profile. Over that span, his bat was worth 132 wRC+ - well above league average - reinforcing the quality of his production.

After a rough 2024, Polanco’s 2025 was a bounce-back year that combined power, patience, and durability. His 26 homers and near-.500 slugging percentage would have given Boston a well-rounded middle-order option that doesn’t rely solely on home runs but produces them at an above-average rate.

While not at the star power level of the guys like Alex Bregman or Ketel Marte, Polanco’s consistent playing time, switch-hitting versatility, and multi-category production would have made him a solid fit for a club needing lineup depth and reliability.

In short: Polanco, 32, is a steady producer who delivers both average and power, and his 2025 fully healthy campaign proves he can handle a full workload - a quality Boston badly wants as it continues looking to fill the offensive void left by Schwarber/Alonso misses.

With Polanco out of the picture, where does Boston turn to now?

If they’re looking for someone who can provide versatility and a consistent bat as a middle infielder, the trade market might be their best route in the form of the aforementioned Marte, who has remained heavily involved in trade rumors throughout the entire offseason.

In 2025, the three-time All-Star slashed .283/.376/.517 with an .893 OPS, 28 home runs, 72 RBI, and 87 runs scored over 126 games, earning a Silver Slugger and his third career All-Star nod thanks to his all-around bat.

What makes Marte such a coveted target for Boston is the complete offense he brings.

He combines a high average (.283), elite on-base skills (.376 - best among MLB second basemen), and power rarely seen at his position. That unique combination is rare for MLB clubs. He fits comfortably into lineup spots 2 through 6 and can cover center in a pinch, providing the Sox with versatility beyond a typical free agent signing.

In a division where pitching is tough and extra baserunners are at a premium, Marte’s well-rounded game - especially his ability to sustain both average and power - would help Boston bridge the gap left by the free agent misses thus far and provide a crucial offensive ripple effect throughout the order.

In addition to the production, Marte has one of the more affordable contracts for a player of his caliber in all of baseball - $102.5 million guaranteed over the next six years, including a player option for 2031, with $46 million deferred. For an organization that has reportedly given itself self-imposed spending limits this offseason, those types of numbers are music to Boston’s ears.

Not only is Marte special, but he’s also relatively "cheap."

There’s a reason why this guy is high on everyone’s list.

And after the Polanco news on Saturday, logic would tell you Marte’s name was just bumped up even higher for teams across baseball.

MORE RED SOX STORIES:

While Marcelo Mayer Isn't Untouchable, Red Sox Reluctant To Include Him In Trade Talks

Red Sox Top 8 Remaining Offseason Offensive Targets

Royals Reportedly Discuss Trading For Jarren Duran

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Tom Carroll is a contributor for Roundtable, with boots-on-the-ground coverage of all things Boston sports. He's a senior digital content producer for WEEI.com, and a native of Lincoln, RI.