Mets Sign Jorge Polanco to Two-Year Deal After Pete Alonso Departure
The Mets didn’t waste much time filling the void left by Pete Alonso’s departure. Just days after the longtime slugger signed a five-year deal with the Orioles, New York has reached a two-year, $40 million agreement with veteran infielder Jorge Polanco, per multiple reports.
Polanco is expected to slide into a first base and designated hitter role for the Mets, though his defensive versatility gives them some added flexibility. He’s spent significant time at second base and third base throughout his career, and that kind of positional depth could be valuable as the Mets retool their infield around a new core.
From Minnesota Mainstay to New York Opportunity
Polanco, now 32, broke into the majors with the Twins as a 20-year-old back in 2014. It was a slow build at first-just nine total games across his first two seasons-but by 2017, he had locked down a full-time role in Minnesota’s infield. Originally a shortstop, he eventually found a more permanent home at second base, where his bat and glove began to shine.
Over a decade with the Twins, Polanco put together a quietly productive run. In 3,529 plate appearances with Minnesota, he posted a .269/.334/.446 slash line, good for a 111 OPS+, while racking up 112 home runs and 447 RBIs.
His 16.8 bWAR during that span is a testament to his all-around value. His best season came in 2019, when he earned an All-Star nod and finished 13th in AL MVP voting.
Minnesota moved on from Polanco after the 2023 season, trading him to Seattle in a deal that returned a trio of pitchers-Justin Topa, Anthony DeSclafani, and Darren Bowen-plus top outfield prospect Gabriel Gonzalez. For the Mariners, it was a calculated gamble on a proven veteran.
A Rough Start in Seattle, Then a Redemption Arc
Polanco’s first year in Seattle didn’t go according to plan. In 2024, he appeared in 118 games but struggled at the plate, slashing just .213/.296/.355 with a 92 OPS+. His 1.3 bWAR reflected the drop-off in production, and it looked like the Mariners might move on.
Instead, they brought him back on a one-year, $7.75 million deal-a low-risk move that ended up paying off in a big way.
Polanco bounced back in a major way in 2025. He played in 138 games, delivered a .265/.326/.495 slash line, and posted a strong 134 OPS+. His 26 home runs and 78 RBIs gave the Mariners a much-needed offensive jolt, and his 2.6 bWAR showed he was back to being a legitimate contributor on both sides of the ball.
But it was in October where Polanco truly made his mark.
Postseason Heroics Cement His Value
In Game 2 of the ALDS against the Tigers, Polanco stepped into the spotlight and delivered one of the most memorable performances of the postseason. Facing back-to-back AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal, he launched two home runs to power the Mariners to a 3-2 victory.
Then, in Game 5-the decisive game of the series-Polanco came through again. This time, it was a walk-off single in the 15th inning that sent the Mariners to the ALCS and their fans into a frenzy.
That kind of clutch performance doesn’t just build confidence-it builds a market. And the Mets clearly took notice.
What This Means for the Mets
With Alonso gone, the Mets needed a veteran bat to stabilize the lineup. Polanco brings that and more. He’s not going to replicate Alonso’s raw power, but he offers a more balanced offensive profile and the ability to move around the diamond if needed.
He’s also a seasoned postseason performer now-something this Mets team could use as it looks to turn the page and build a contender in a wide-open National League.
The two-year deal gives New York a short-term solution with upside. If Polanco maintains his 2025 form, this could be one of the more underrated moves of the offseason. If he regresses, the Mets aren’t locked in long-term.
Either way, the message is clear: the Mets aren’t standing still. They lost a franchise cornerstone, but they’ve added a proven veteran with a track record of producing when it matters most.
And with Polanco now in blue and orange, the next chapter of his career starts in Queens-where opportunity awaits, and expectations are never far behind.