The Mariners have made the most important transfer of free company so far, re-signing Josh Naylor to a five-year deal. The $92.5MM dedication was handily their greatest to a free agent hitter within the decade that Jerry Dipoto has run baseball operations. Seattle’s objective of retaining as a lot of their 2025 roster as doable continues, as Dipoto instructed reporters on the press convention saying the Naylor deal that the workforce continues to be fascinated by re-signing Jorge Polanco.
“Polo’ is a good man, and we’ve got been in contact with him and his (company),” Dipoto stated (hyperlink by way of Adam Jude of The Seattle Occasions). “I don’t think about that it’s going to maneuver as quick because it moved with Josh.” Seattle additionally hasn’t closed the door on bringing Eugenio Suárez, Jude writes, however it seems Polanco is extra of a main focus.
Seattle introduced the switch-hitting Polanco again on a $6MM deal final winter. They had been rewarded for his or her religion that his down 2024 season was attributable to enjoying by means of a meniscus harm in his left knee. Polanco popped 26 homers with a .265/.326/.495 batting line over 524 plate appearances. He spent most of his time at designated hitter to maintain him wholesome however received extra common run at second base in September and into the postseason.
Polanco goes to command a a lot stronger contract this time round. He’s a lock for at the least two years. MLBTR predicted a three-year, $42MM contract protecting his age 32-34 seasons. That value level would have been the M’s largest deal for a free agent hitter below Dipoto till the Naylor signing. It appears there’s nonetheless room within the finances for a mid-tier free agent deal of that ilk even with Naylor on the books for $16.5MM subsequent season ($10MM wage plus a $6.5MM signing bonus).
Ryan Bliss, Cole Younger and Leo Rivas are the second base choices in the interim. High infield prospect Colt Emerson is looming after hitting .285/.383/.458 between the highest three minor league ranges as a 19-year-old. Emerson appears likelier to interrupt in at third base, the place light-hitting Ben Williamson tasks because the starter. That might change if the Mariners are unable to re-sign Polanco and wind up specializing in Suárez as a substitute.
