The New York Mets are entering a new chapter without Pete Alonso, and they’re doing it with a calculated gamble. In an offseason move that blends pragmatism with a touch of experimentation, the Mets signed veteran infielder Jorge Polanco to a two-year, $40 million deal. It’s a signing that speaks volumes-not just about Polanco’s bat, but about the team’s broader strategy in the post-Alonso era.
Replacing Alonso’s Bat-Without Paying Alonso Money
Let’s start with the obvious: you don’t just replace Pete Alonso’s power overnight. But the Mets aren’t trying to find a one-for-one clone. Instead, they’re betting on Polanco’s ability to provide a strong offensive presence at a significantly lower price tag.
Polanco is coming off a quietly productive 2025 season. He posted a .265/.326/.495 slash line, clubbed 26 home runs, and drove in 64 runs.
That’s not just solid-it’s the kind of production that can stabilize the middle of a lineup. His .821 OPS puts him in the conversation with some of the better offensive infielders in the league, and the advanced metrics back it up.
His Squared-Up rate ranked in the 89th percentile, showing he consistently barrels the ball. His expected slugging (xSLG) and expected weighted on-base average (xwOBA) were both well above league average, sitting in the 73rd and 74th percentiles, respectively.
In short, Polanco hits the ball hard, hits it often, and does so with consistency. That’s a profile the Mets can work with-especially at first base, where the offensive bar is higher than most positions.
A Defensive Leap of Faith
Now, here’s where things get interesting. Polanco has never played a single inning at first base in his major league career.
Not one. Yet that’s exactly where the Mets plan to use him.
In 2025, Polanco split time between second base and third base-287.1 innings at second, 43.0 at third-but the defensive metrics weren’t kind. He ranked in the 17th percentile in Outs Above Average (OAA), a stat that measures range, and just the 20th percentile in arm strength. Translation: his days as a rangy middle infielder are likely behind him.
So why first base? For the Mets, it’s a position where they can minimize his defensive liabilities while maximizing his offensive value.
It’s a bit of a risk, no doubt. First base isn’t as easy as just catching throws-it requires footwork, instincts, and a feel for the position that can’t be learned overnight.
But it’s also a spot where a veteran with good hands and baseball IQ can survive, even thrive, with enough reps.
Polanco’s Buy-In Matters
What helps this transition is Polanco’s attitude. He’s not being dragged into this move-he’s embracing it.
“The conversations with the Mets were pretty easy,” Polanco said, noting that he had already begun the transition during his time in Seattle. “I was offering my services to teams as a first baseman, second baseman, and third baseman. So when the Mets asked if I was able to do that-play a little bit of first, play a little bit of third-I was definitely willing to do that.”
That kind of versatility, especially when it comes from a player who still has plenty left in the tank offensively, is exactly what the Mets are banking on. He’s not just filling a hole-he’s giving them options.
A $40 Million Bet on Balance
This move isn’t just about Polanco-it’s about roster construction. By letting Alonso walk and bringing in Polanco at half the price, the Mets have created financial flexibility to address other needs. It’s a classic case of spreading the wealth.
Sure, the defensive downgrade at first might be negligible when you consider Alonso wasn’t exactly a Gold Glover himself. But if Polanco can give the Mets 25-plus homers and league-average defense at first, this deal could age very well. It’s a high-floor, moderate-ceiling play that keeps the Mets competitive without locking them into another massive contract.
In the end, this is a front office trying to thread a needle-maintain offensive production, manage payroll, and keep the roster flexible. Jorge Polanco might not be the flashiest name, and first base might not be his natural home, but if he holds up his end of the bargain, the Mets may have just pulled off one of the savvier moves of the offseason.