The New York Mets made a statement on December 13 by signing infielder Jorge Polanco to a two-year, $40 million deal - and this one feels different. After a stretch of high-profile departures and some head-scratching roster decisions, the Mets finally made a move that signals a shift in strategy and intent. For a fanbase that's been holding its breath through the exits of Brandon Nimmo, Edwin Díaz, and Pete Alonso, this Polanco signing brings a breath of fresh air - and a bit of clarity about where David Stearns and Steve Cohen are headed.
Let’s get one thing straight: this wasn’t a bargain-bin pickup. This was a calculated swing at a player coming off one of the best seasons of his career.
Polanco slugged 26 home runs last year - the second-highest total of his career behind only his 33-homer campaign in 2021. He’s not a reclamation project.
He’s not a bounce-back candidate. He’s a proven bat who’s trending in the right direction.
And that alone marks a departure from the Mets’ recent free-agent tendencies.
In the past, we've seen New York gamble on players coming off down years, hoping that a change of scenery - and a Mets uniform - would spark a resurgence. That’s been something of a calling card for Stearns, too, even going back to his days acquiring guys like Devin Williams and Marcus Semien. There’s always been a belief that a player’s best days might still be ahead, even if the recent numbers don’t show it.
But Polanco? He’s not a bet on potential.
He’s a bet on production. And that makes this signing all the more intriguing.
Now, about that $40 million price tag. Some fans may have balked at the number - especially those still holding out hope for a long-term Alonso deal - but there’s more nuance here than meets the eye.
Polanco was projected to command somewhere in the $40-45 million range on the open market, but over three years. The Mets, instead, gave him that same money over two.
That’s the real genius of this move. By compressing the deal into a shorter window, the Mets effectively upped the average annual value (AAV) without burdening themselves with long-term risk. It’s a financial flex that only a team with Steve Cohen’s deep pockets could realistically pull off - and it’s exactly the kind of creative thinking that could give the Mets a real edge in future free-agent battles.
Think of it as the “Cohen Twist.” Instead of outbidding rivals by tacking on extra years - which often leads to bloated contracts that age poorly - the Mets are using their financial muscle to win deals with higher AAVs and shorter terms. It’s a win-win: the player gets paid, and the team keeps its books cleaner for the long haul.
This approach also aligns with the Mets’ apparent reluctance to lock themselves into lengthy commitments - something that clearly played a role in their stance on Alonso. By staying flexible, they keep the door open for future moves, whether that’s another splashy signing or a midseason pivot.
And let’s not overlook the positional fit. Polanco is expected to slot in at first base and designated hitter, giving the Mets a switch-hitting bat with pop from both sides of the plate.
That kind of versatility is valuable, especially in a lineup that’s still figuring out its identity post-Alonso. He’s not a one-dimensional piece - he’s someone who can help shape the middle of the order and provide veteran presence in the clubhouse.
Last offseason, Cohen made headlines by dropping $765 million on Juan Soto - a move that was as loud as it was expensive. This time around, the Mets didn’t need a megaphone.
The Polanco deal was quieter, more strategic, and arguably more telling of where this front office is headed. It wasn’t about brute force.
It was about smart spending.
So while the Mets may not be done reshaping their roster, this move sends a clear signal: they’re not just throwing money around anymore - they’re using it as a tool. And with Stearns and Cohen working in lockstep, they might just be building something sustainable, not just flashy.
Polanco’s signing doesn’t erase the sting of losing franchise cornerstones. But it does offer a glimpse of a new strategy - one that could pay off in a big way if the front office continues to play its cards right.