When Pete Alonso left town, the timing of the Mets’ next move was impossible to ignore. Just days later, New York committed $40 million over two years to Jorge Polanco-a deal that, in this context, feels less like a coincidence and more like a calculated pivot.
No one’s pretending Polanco is a one-for-one replacement for Alonso, but the message is clear: the Mets aren’t backing down from their win-now posture. They’re just reshaping it.
Why Jorge Polanco Chose the Mets
Polanco’s decision to sign with the Mets wasn’t just about money or market size-it was about culture. And during his introductory press conference, he made that pretty clear.
He pointed to the way the Mets treat their players, a reputation that’s quietly improved in recent years. But more than that, he talked about leadership-specifically, the kind that doesn’t need a microphone to make an impact.
Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto came up unprompted. Polanco called them “leaders,” the kind who set the tone just by being who they are. “Knowing the type of leaders that they are,” he said, “I knew that this team wanted to win.”
That’s not just lip service. Polanco didn’t sign on with a rebuilding team selling dreams of 2027. He joined a roster that’s doubling down on star power and aiming to contend right now-even after parting ways with one of the most iconic sluggers in franchise history.
A New Role at First Base
Polanco’s name had been floating around free agency for months, tied to teams looking for a versatile bat. He made it known he was open to moving around the diamond-first base, second, third, wherever he could help. That openness made him an intriguing fit for a number of clubs, but the Mets had a more specific plan.
According to Polanco, first base is where he’ll spend most of his time, with some reps at designated hitter and occasional work at second or third. That’s not just a stopgap solution-that’s a real positional shift.
The Mets aren’t dabbling here. They’re committing.
And here’s the kicker: Polanco has played exactly one game at first base in the majors. One.
But this isn’t a total leap into the unknown. While with the Mariners last season, he began preparing for a move to first.
It never materialized in games, but the groundwork was there-he was taking reps, studying the position, getting comfortable with the idea.
The Mets are betting that preparation translates.
Betting on the Bat
Let’s be real-if this move were about defense alone, it wouldn’t make much sense. But it’s not.
It’s about the bat. And in 2025, Polanco swung it better than he ever has.
He launched 26 home runs, posted a 132 wRC+, and was one of the most productive hitters in the American League. Only Jazz Chisholm Jr. outpaced him offensively in 2025. That’s not fringe production-that’s middle-of-the-order impact.
Now, the Mets are asking him to bring that offensive firepower to Queens and help fill the void left by Alonso. It’s a tall order.
Even at his best, Polanco doesn’t match Alonso’s raw power. But he doesn’t have to.
What he offers is a well-rounded bat, positional flexibility, and a much smaller financial commitment.
What It Means for the Mets
This isn’t about replacing Alonso with a clone. That player doesn’t exist. What the Mets are doing instead is redistributing value-spreading production across the roster in a way that gives them more flexibility, both on the field and on the books.
Sure, there will be growing pains. First base isn’t as easy as it looks, and Polanco will have to learn on the fly. But if he hits anywhere near the level he did last season, the tradeoff is more than worth it.
This is a calculated gamble by a team that still believes it can win now. And in Jorge Polanco, the Mets see a player who can help them do exactly that-just in a different way than the guy he’s replacing.