{"id":110684,"date":"2025-12-11T19:32:22","date_gmt":"2025-12-12T00:32:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=110684"},"modified":"2025-12-11T19:32:22","modified_gmt":"2025-12-12T00:32:22","slug":"three-landing-spots-jorge-polanco-free-agency","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2025\/12\/11\/three-landing-spots-jorge-polanco-free-agency\/","title":{"rendered":"Three Landing Spots for Jorge Polanco"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/p\/polanjo01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-12-11_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jorge Polanco<\/a> is not the star he was during his peak years with the Minnesota Twins, but he remains a strong complementary piece \u2014 especially for clubs seeking switch-hitting stability and a veteran presence, as he did for the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2025\/01\/30\/jorge-polanco-signs-mariners-one-year-deal\/\" target=\"_self\">Seattle Mariners<\/a> in 2025.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Polanco enters the 2025\u201326 offseason as one of the more intriguing infield bats on the market: a switch-hitter with playoff experience, defensive versatility (2B\/3B), and a track record of above-average production when healthy.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_94898\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-94898\" style=\"width: 761px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-94898\" src=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/12\/USATSI_24355204_168400885_lowres-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Infielder Jorge Polanco is reportedly re-signing with the Mariners on a one-year deal, hoping to bounce back from offseason knee surgery.\" width=\"761\" height=\"507\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/12\/USATSI_24355204_168400885_lowres-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/12\/USATSI_24355204_168400885_lowres-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/12\/USATSI_24355204_168400885_lowres-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/12\/USATSI_24355204_168400885_lowres-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/12\/USATSI_24355204_168400885_lowres-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/12\/USATSI_24355204_168400885_lowres-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/12\/USATSI_24355204_168400885_lowres-1200x800.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 761px) 100vw, 761px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-94898\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sep 28, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Mariners designated hitter Jorge Polanco (7) hits a two-run single during the fourth inning against the Oakland Athletics at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are three believable landing spots for Jorge Polanco, why each fit makes sense, and realistic contract structures based on his age, recent performance, and positional versatility.<\/p>\n<h2>Three Possible Landing Spots for Jorge Polanco<\/h2>\n<h3 style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>1) Seattle Mariners \u2014 A Reunion That Solves Multiple Needs<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Why It Makes Sense<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Seattle traded for Polanco once already, and the fit still exists. They need more dependable infield offense, especially from the left side, and they value switch-hitters who can lengthen the lineup. Polanco also fits Seattle\u2019s preference for players who can move around the infield, giving them coverage at both second and <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2025\/03\/01\/mariners-jorge-polanco-try-third-base\/\" target=\"_self\">third base<\/a>. If they miss on top-tier infield targets, a Polanco reunion becomes a practical fallback that doesn\u2019t break the bank.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Contract Projection<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2 years, $24\u201330 million with a vesting option for Year 3<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Rationale<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Polanco\u2019s market value likely sits in the $8\u201311 million per year range, given his age and injury history. Seattle could offer short-term security and a familiar environment while retaining flexibility. A vesting option tied to plate appearances protects them if durability becomes an issue.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">The Jorge Polanco sweepstakes have heated up a ton this week, with reports that he\u2019s asking for 3-4 years and north of $15 mil AAV<\/p>\n<p>Is it time for the Mariners to be rational about this?<\/p>\n<p>Or is it time to be aggressive and get this done? <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/CNr6Se8V1C\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/CNr6Se8V1C<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Marine Layer Podcast (@MarineLayerPod) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/MarineLayerPod\/status\/1999181154331893967?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">December 11, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h3><\/h3>\n<h3 style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>2) Chicago Cubs \u2014 A Switch-Hitting Plug-and-Play Infielder<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Why It Makes Sense<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Cubs have been aggressively reshaping their roster and could use a switch-hitting veteran to stabilize the middle of the infield as their younger players continue to develop. Polanco fits as a second baseman, third baseman, or even a short-term DH. Chicago\u2019s lineup has swung heavily right-handed at times, making Polanco\u2019s left-side production valuable. He profiles as the type of steady, professional hitter who allows the Cubs to lengthen the lineup without a massive long-term commitment.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Contract Projection<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3 years, $33 million<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Rationale<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Cubs can offer more guaranteed money than most mid-market teams, especially for someone who would hold down a starting spot immediately. A three-year deal is long enough to outbid rivals while still short enough that Chicago doesn\u2019t risk being stuck with a declining long-term contract.<\/p>\n<h3><\/h3>\n<h3 style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>3) San Francisco Giants \u2014 Perfect Fit for Their \u201cVersatile Veteran\u201d Template<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Why It Makes Sense<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Few teams value lineup flexibility like the Giants, and Polanco checks every box: switch-hitter, experience at multiple infield spots, and playoff-tested. San Francisco struggled to get consistent production from second and third base last season. Polanco gives them a reliable bat who can hit anywhere from second to sixth in the order. The Giants also tend to target veteran infielders to complement their young core \u2014 and Polanco\u2019s contact profile fits Oracle Park well.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Contract Projection<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1 year, $14 million with incentives + a mutual option for Year 2<\/p>\n<h4 style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Rationale<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">San Francisco often prefers short, incentive-heavy deals for players with injury risk. Polanco\u2019s profile fits that exact approach. A mutual option gives both sides flexibility: Polanco can test the market again if he bounces back, and the Giants can retain him at a slightly higher salary if he thrives.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>The Last Word<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Polanco won\u2019t command star-level money, but he\u2019s precisely the kind of undervalued veteran teams love: a switch-hitter who brings stability, experience, and versatility. Expect him to land somewhere on a short-to-medium deal with an AAV between\u00a0$11\u201315 million, with incentives or vesting options tied to playing time. His market will likely be driven by teams who prioritize lineup balance and infield depth \u2014 putting clubs like Seattle, Chicago, and San Francisco squarely in play.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Main Photo Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Jorge Polanco is not the star he was during his peak years with the Minnesota Twins, but he remains a strong complementary piece \u2014 especially for clubs seeking switch-hitting stability and a veteran presence, as he did for the Seattle Mariners in 2025. Polanco enters the 2025\u201326 offseason as one of the more intriguing infield [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5710,"featured_media":110481,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"591","footnotes":""},"categories":[1071,35,17],"tags":[513],"class_list":["post-110684","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mlb","category-news","category-mariners","tag-jorge-polanco"],"modified_by":"Lewis Masella, Site Editor","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/110684","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5710"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=110684"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/110684\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":110703,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/110684\/revisions\/110703"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/110481"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=110684"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=110684"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=110684"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}