Jorge Polanco Signs Two-Year Deal with Mets

By Joshua Gingrich

Infielder Jorge Polanco signed a two-year deal with the New York Mets. He's expected to play first base for the Mets.

Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images

December 13, 2025

Infielder Jorge Polanco and the New York Mets have agreed on a two-year, $40 million contract. Will Sammon of The Athletic was the first to report the deal.

Polanco heads to the Mets expected to be their first baseman, per Jeff Passan of ESPN. Polanco has never played an inning at the position in his career.

Bounce Back Season

In 2024 — Polanco’s first year with the Seattle Mariners following a decade with the Minnesota Twins — he struggled, hitting just .213 with a career-low .651 OPS in 118 games. He had 27 extra-base hits that year.

This year, Polanco was a central piece of the Mariners team that won their first division title since 2001 and came one win from the AL pennant. He slugged 26 homers and drove in 78 runs during the season, and added three more home runs during the playoffs. Polanco also hit the walk-off single in the 15th inning of Game Five of the ALDS against the Detroit Tigers to advance the Mariners to the ALCS.

Polanco’s Position and Health

A career infielder, Polanco spent extended time at shortstop, third base, and second. However, he’s expected to be the first baseman in Queens. The Mets have a hole at the position following Pete Alonso’s departure to the Baltimore Orioles.

Polanco doesn’t have the same power potential as Alonso, but he’s a good hitter from both sides of the plate. Polanco’s potential versatility will also be handy if first baseman Ryan Clifford, the Mets’ No. 8 prospect per MLB.com, proves ready for the big leagues during the season.

Polanco’s injury history is a concern, though. His 138 games played in 2025 were the most in a season since 2021 with the Twins. He’s had numerous trips to the injured list in recent seasons, and his 2024 ended early due to a torn left patellar tendon. But he stayed off the injured list this year and had a good season.

The Mets are hoping that Polanco’s 2025 is the start of a healthy, great couple of years.

Polanco hit 154 homers and has a .771 OPS in his 12-year career. He was a 2019 AL All-Star with the Twins.