Top Landing Spots for Free Agent Jorge Polanco
Jorge Polanco hits the market at 32 years old, hoping for a better fortune than last winter. After his solid 2025, he could lock up a multi-year deal.
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Last winter Jorge Polanco was passed over by every team after an uninspiring year in Seattle, which continued a trend of downward play. Without many other options, Polanco returned to the Mariners, where he slashed .265/.326/.495 with 26 home runs and a 132 wRC+. Oh yeah, he also had a few of the biggest moments in Mariners postseason history.
Funny how much can change in a year.
Polanco is set to hit the market once again, now at 32 years old, hoping for a better fortune than last winter. After how impressive his 2025 campaign was, he is set to cash in and likely lock up a multi-year deal.
Polanco’s 26 home runs were the second-highest of his career and only the third time he has topped the 20-home run threshold. His gap power has always been there, but he’s started to pull the ball in the air more, which has helped his power become more consistent in the last few seasons.
The reason Polanco’s 2025 season was such a success? To put it simply, he made a lot more contact. His 86% zone contract rate was the highest it has been since 2021 while his 15.6% strikeout rate also was a drastic improvement from the mid-to-high 20% he posted the last few seasons.
A switch-hitter with some pop, a plus eye for the zone, and a few changes that led to more contact should be intriguing to a number of teams. Although not a great defender, you can plug him in at second or third.
Polanco falls into the category of a second-tier free agent. Not a big market’s “Plan A”, but good enough, and old enough, to make his contract term and money match with the type of deal small markets like to take advantage of.
Free Agent Profile
- Age in 2026: 32
- 2025 Stats: .265/.326/.495, 26 HR, 78 RBI, 132 wRC+, 2.6 fWAR
- 2025 Salary: $10 million, $8 million player option in 2026
Contract Projection
- Contract Length: 1-3 Years
- Expected AAV: $10-16 million
The $8 million player option does not come into play, in my opinion. After a year like Polanco had he will hit the market and try to snowball his performance into a multi-year deal and stability as he inches towards an eventual retirement.
As I mentioned before, players like Polanco are a sweet spot for smaller market teams. His age and injury history will prevent him from landing the four-plus years we see younger players get, while his defense will also help lower the AAV.
Teams with a more stacked lineup will view Polanco has a bottom third of the order bat to round out their team, while others might see him as the middle-of-the-order switch-hitter that helps to balance their lineup. Those teams are likely to give him the extra year of term while others might lean toward a higher AAV on a one- or two-year deal.
In the end, I think Polanco will side with term. Stability is important, especially for a player who has dealt with injuries and has not had the contract that locks him up leading up to this offseason.
Free Agent Landing Spots for Jorge Polanco
Kansas City Royals
The Royals have been pretty unsuccessful at find someone to play second base. Last offseason they traded for Jonathan India and now he’s looking like a possible non-tender candidate. With Carter Jensen and Jac Caglianone looking to lead the next wave of young talent, this team needs a more proven veteran in their lineup.
Bobby Witt Jr., Vinnie Pasquantino, Salvador Perez, and Maikel Garcia round out their core. Adding Polanco would give them a more steady presence at second while adding a switch-hitter into the middle of the lineup that could be pretty lefty heavy.
Polanco would join Perez as the only regulars over 30 years old. The need for a veteran bat is a must and Polanco fits the type of money and term the Royals should be comfortable with. This would also force the Royals to quit trying to force Michael Massey into a starting role and allow him to be a utility/bench piece.
I do think there’s enough talent on this team to sell Polanco on. He’s not exactly the “ring-chaser” type, but I would image going to a competitive team is on his wish list. Kansas City just feels like a natural fit here.
Detroit Tigers
Another AL Central team that has a need for a veteran bat. With Gleyber Torres likely hitting the market, the Tigers have a need at either second or third. Top prospect Kevin McGongile might be the answer at second base, leaving a spot at third open for Polanco.
The Tigers were in on Alex Bregman last winter and might be back in on his sweepstakes this winter. Until the Tigers show me they are willing to meet demands for top free agents, I will continue to put second tier options in their projections. Missing out on Bregman would not be ideal, but Polanco as a replacement isn’t the worst case scenario.
Colt Keith mixes in somewhere, too. I think there’s a chance Keith is at second and McGonigle at third, but signing Polanco would allow McGonigle to play short, at least for a couple of years, pushing Zach McKinstry and Javier Baez to utility roles where I think they are better fits.
The Tigers have made it clear they want to cut down on strikeouts. I wonder if the changes they saw in Polanco (along with the two bombs he hit off them in the playoffs) will make them interested. I doubt this is the last player mocked to the Tigers as they should be active this winter.
Toronto Blue Jays
If you can’t beat them, join them. What happens in Toronto will be very interesting to monitor all offseason. Not only will they be in play for names like Kyle Tucker, but the potential departure of Bo Bichette has a trickle down effect.
When the Blue Jays acquired Andres Gimenez I think it was with the idea of him filling short when Bichette walks. If that is the case, second base is open. Not to mention, Ernie Clement could be used in more of a super utility role opening time at third.
It does feel irresponsible to say a World Series team needs more help, but I feel that is true. Not only do they have a spot or two in the starting lineup, but the bench could use some stability as well. Signing Polanco could be their second move which could lead to Clement filling in everywhere and giving them an excellent bench piece that plays a ton.
I see this fit as a shorter term, higher AAV. An opportunity for Polanco to be on one of baseball’s best teams, still cash in, but also hit the market once again before his age-35 season.
Washington Nationals
Every offseason we see a younger team try to break out of their rebuild by signing a veteran. With a new GM at the helm, I expect Washington to be more active than they have in years past. The young core is forming and veterans are needed to booster the lineup.
Washington has had Luis Garcia Jr. as their second baseman for far too long. His arbitration number has surpassed his productivity and I think it is time for a change. Even if second is filled with a different avenue, third is hardly locked down by Brady House, who struggled in his rookie season.
For Washington, adding Polanco gives you a veteran with experience to plug in the middle of the lineup and hopefully give you one less spot for an inexperienced hitter. It would show fans that you really are trying to get out of the rebuild while also allowing you to do so in a responsible manner.
If I’m Polanco, Washington is the team I target for term. If my plan is to lock up as many years as possible and ride my great season into the best stability and payday possible, Washington is a great fit. Not much pressure, job security, and a steady paycheck.
San Diego Padres
San Diego has not been scared of big moves. In Fact, AJ Preller pulls off more big moves than anyone else in the league. However, they have not targeted the more middle of the road type deals in recent years. I think that changes as their payroll is tied up with big names and new strategies come into play.
Signing Polanco would solve one of the Padres biggest issues – a bottom of the order full of fringe talent. Polanco would DH most days while also giving Manny Machado more days off at third, allowing him to DH. He could also fill second if injuries happens elsewhere and Jake Cronenworth shifts around the infield.
Considering the money and term, Polanco would allow the Padres to improve their offense without having to fall into another long term deal. The money saved from dodging a higher end bat could be allocated to the pitching staff, which could use some reinforcements.
Let’s say Ramon Laureano stays. You know have Tatis, Jackson Merrill, Machado, Xander Bogaerts, Cronenworth, Polanco, Laureano, and Gavin Sheets. That’s a pretty deep lineup with a lot of experience that could beat you in multiple ways.
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