Fresh updates out of Seattle aren’t easing concerns for Mariners fans hoping to see Jorge Polanco return. In this case, silence isn’t exactly comforting.
After the Mariners kicked off their offseason with a splash bringing back Josh Naylor on a five-year, $92.5 million contract the expectation inside and outside the organization was that Jorge Polanco would be next. That was the buzz in mid-November. But even then, there was a caveat: even if Seattle wanted a quick reunion, the timeline wasn’t guaranteed to be fast.
Now, weeks later, the waiting game continues. Adam Jude of The Seattle Times dropped several intriguing notes in his latest report, but the Polanco insight is the part likely to worry fans.
New Intel Doesn’t Inspire Confidence About a Polanco Return
Seattle hasn’t hidden its desire to re-sign Polanco. He checks all their boxesa switch-hitting impact bat who can play second base, first base, and fill in at designated hitter. He’s coming off a strong season in which he posted a career-best 134 OPS+ and established himself as one of MLB’s most clutch performers, long before his big moments in October.
Jude reports that Polanco himself is believed to prefer a return to Seattle. Still, “the two sides… do not appear to be close to a deal.”
According to Jude’s sources, Polanco is seeking a multi-year contract and remains on the radar of heavy spenders like the Yankees and Red Sox, as well as a surprisingly aggressive small-market team in the Pirates.
None of this is particularly newPolanco wants to cash in, and big-market teams pose a real threat to Seattle’s chances. But the lack of movement is becoming more concerning with each passing day.
It’s also fair to wonder whether Seattle missed its window to strike a team-friendly agreement. They pulled one off with Naylor, but the market as a whole has shifted toward the players. Dylan Cease, Ryan Helsley, and Cody Ponce all secured deals above their MLB Trade Rumors projections, and Devin Williams matched his projected annual value.
MLBTR projects Polanco for a three-year, $42 million contract at $14 million per year. Even that may have been conservative, considering his momentum coming out of 2025 and the absence of a qualifying offer. With the way the market is moving, Polanco could now be headed toward $45 million or more over three years.
In isolation, the difference isn’t massive, but Seattle’s financial situation complicates things. Entering the winter with around $30–35 million to allocate to new salaries, the Mariners must avoid blowing nearly all of it on just Naylor and Polanco. They still have needs especially in the bullpen.
If they strike out on Polanco, alternatives exist. Trade options such as Brendan Donovan, Ketel Marte, and Brandon Lowe are available. They could also turn inward, promoting Cole Young to second base or giving Colt Emerson a shot at third base if he outperforms Ben Williamson this spring.
But none of those paths offer the reliability Polanco does. Seattle knows exactly what he provides, making their uphill battle to bring him back an uneasy development for a fanbase hoping for quick, decisive action.
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