The Seattle Mariners are in agreement with free-agent infielder Jorge Polanco on a one-year, $7.75 million deal, two league sources told The Athletic on Thursday, offering some clarity during the waning days of the Alex Bregman sweepstakes.
Polanco’s contract, which is pending a physical, contains a vesting option for 2026 based on the number of plate appearances he accrues in 2025. Seattle acquired Polanco from the Minnesota Twins before last season, but the veteran infielder posted just a .651 OPS across 469 plate appearances while nursing a left knee injury.
Polanco underwent left knee surgery in October but has been cleared to resume baseball activities and is expected to be at full strength for spring training.
Polanco chose a reunion with the Mariners over strong overtures from the Houston Astros, who planned to play him primarily at second base while moving Jose Altuve to left field. Polanco will become Seattle’s third baseman, according to one league source.
With Polanco off the board, the Astros’ attention will turn toward a reunion with Bregman, which general manager Dana Brown has described as a “long shot.” Houston is also exploring trades for another outfielder but still has its longstanding six-year, $156 million offer out to Bregman.
The Detroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays and Chicago Cubs remain in play for Bregman, according to two league sources. Chicago just acquired his longtime teammate, closer Ryan Pressly, who said this week he “would love to play with (Bregman) again just because he’s a solid dude and a great teammate.”
Bregman’s preexisting relationship with Tigers manager A.J. Hinch and Red Sox manager Alex Cora can’t be discounted, either. Cora has gushed over Bregman on multiple occasions this winter.
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