Mets fans have been trying to process the image of Pete Alonso wearing a Baltimore Orioles hat. It hurts. But in the world of Steve Cohen, there’s no time to wallow. The checkbook never stays closed for long. Enter Jorge Polanco.
After watching their homegrown slugger head south, the Mets made a serious move to plug the hole in their hearts, agreeing to a two-year, $40 million contract with the veteran switch-hitter.
Polanco Brings a Proven Bat To Queens
If you haven’t been watching late-night West Coast games, you might have missed Polanco’s resurgence. After a decade with the Twins, he spent the last two years in Seattle, and 2025 was a legitimate bounce-back campaign.
We’re talking about a guy who slashed .265/.326/.495 last season. He didn’t just show up; he mashed 26 home runs and drove in 78 runs for a Mariners team that made a deep run into the ALCS. That isn’t production you find in the bargain bin.
The plan, according to insiders, is to have him split time between first base and designated hitter. It is a shift for a guy who has spent most of his 12-year career dancing around the middle infield at second and short. Moving Polanco to first base preserves his legs and keeps that bat in the lineup every day.
A Tough Break For the Mariners
On the other side of this deal, you have to feel for the Seattle faithful. The Mariners didn’t want to let Polanco walk. Reports suggest they were hoping for a reunion, especially after he helped spark their offense last year. But when the Mets come calling with $20 million a year, it’s hard for a mid-market approach to compete.
Now, Seattle is left scrambling. They’ve got a Polanco-sized hole in their lineup and are reportedly looking at St. Louis Cardinal Brendan Donovan as a potential pivot. It’s a classic offseason domino effect: Alonso moves, Polanco moves, and now Seattle has to make a trade or risk taking a step back.
Can Polanco Handle the New York Pressure?
Here is the $40 million question: Can Polanco handle the glare of Citi Field? Replacing Alonso isn’t just about replacing home runs; it’s about replacing a vibe. Alonso was the Polar Bear. He was the guy.
Polanco isn’t that guy, and he shouldn’t try to be. He’s a professional hitter with an All-Star pedigree. If he can come in, spray the ball all over the field, and hit 25+ homers, this contract will look like a smart, stabilizing move for a team in transition.
It might not be the romantic ending Mets fans wanted with their former first baseman, but signing Polanco proves one thing: The Mets still plan on playing baseball in October.
