Pirates Miss Out on Jorge Polanco as Mets Swoop In With Aggressive Offer
The Pirates had their sights set on Jorge Polanco. After falling short in their pursuit of Kyle Schwarber, Pittsburgh pivoted quickly, and for a moment, it looked like they might actually land the switch-hitting infielder. Reports suggested the Pirates were willing to go beyond a two-year deal-something the Mariners reportedly weren’t ready to do-which made Pittsburgh a legitimate contender.
But any optimism in the Steel City was short-lived.
Polanco is heading to Queens instead, reportedly agreeing to a two-year, $40 million deal with the New York Mets. That’s a $20 million annual salary-well above the expected market value of just over $12 million per year. It’s a bold move by the Mets, not only because of the price tag, but also because they plan to use Polanco at first base-a position he’s not known for.
For the Pirates, this one stings. Badly.
Polanco would’ve been a major upgrade in Pittsburgh’s lineup. A switch-hitter with power-26 home runs and an .821 OPS last season-he represented exactly the kind of offensive jolt this team needs. If the Pirates could’ve landed him on a three-year, $45 million deal, that would’ve been a strong value play for a club that’s struggled to find consistent production at the plate.
Instead, they’re left empty-handed, with Jhonstynxon Garcia standing as the lone offensive addition so far this offseason. And while Garcia brings intriguing upside, he’s not the kind of proven bat that shifts the narrative for a team that finished near the bottom in most major offensive categories last season.
The bigger picture here is what this says about the Pirates’ approach. The Mets paid a premium-no doubt about it-but they got their guy.
For Pittsburgh, this is a reminder that if you want to compete for top-tier talent, especially in a market where other teams are ready to spend, you’ve got to be willing to stretch. Sometimes that means paying a little more than you're comfortable with-especially when you're trying to add a player who would’ve instantly become your best offensive weapon.
Now, the Pirates are back to the drawing board. The clock is ticking, and the market is thinning.
If they want to avoid a repeat of 2025’s offensive struggles, they’ll need to act fast. Names like Ryan O’Hearn and Kazuma Okamoto are still out there, and bringing in both would go a long way toward restoring some faith in the front office and giving this lineup the boost it desperately needs.
The Polanco miss is a tough one. But the offseason isn’t over yet. There’s still time to make a statement-if the Pirates are willing to make the kind of move that shows they’re serious about contending.