Jorge

Polanco

Rome’s latest reporting backs up previous speculation that the Astros put an offer out to Polanco earlier this offseason. It seems like Houston’s front office is viewing the 31-year-old veteran as a potential low-cost insurance policy at the keystone and hot corner behind Jose Altuve and Isaac Paredes in the event that they’re unable to bring Alex Bregman back at the hot corner, which would shift Altuve to left field. There are a ton of moving parts here, especially after the club was able to jettison Ryan Pressly to the Cubs last weekend in an effort to get back into the Bregman sweepstakes. It seems like the Astros are at least the front-runners to bring in Polanco with just a few weeks left prior to spring training, especially if they’re unable to re-sign Bregman.

There were reports earlier in the off-season linking the Astros to Polanco, so this offer doesn’t come as a major surprise, but there doesn’t seem to be room for him in Houston now that they have Isaac Paredes at third base and Christian Walker at first base. Of course, a $4 million contract seems to fit more with a backup infielder, so it remains to be seen if Polanco’s market has fallen so far that he would be willing to sign with a team that would not give him a chance to start regularly.

On paper this one makes sense, even if New York fans won’t be too excited about Polanco after looking at his numbers in 2024. The 31-year-old would fill a need at second base with Gleyber Torres now a member of the Tigers, and he’s a good bounceback candidate after his previous success with Minnesota before his disastrous year with the Mariners. The Astros have also shown interest in Polanco, but that isn’t likely to be a fit anymore.

Polanco’s persistent knee issues are the biggest obstacle to his fantasy relevance at this juncture of his career. If he’s able to stay on the field, he would make a ton of sense for Houston or Toronto as additional infield insurance. He would give the Astros a fallback option at the hot corner in case they’re unable to retain star Alex Bregman.

According to McTaggart, “the Astros have offered Bregman a six-year deal worth around $156 million,” but their ability to re-sign him hinges on what other offers he’s received on the market. Despite that offer being a club record, “Bregman is believed to be seeking a deal closer to $200 million, which likely would price out the Astros and force them to move on from their cornerstone third baseman.” If the Astros do get priced out on Bregman, they have other options in place, and “among the players on the top of their list to play third base is Jorge Polanco.” They could then take the majority of the money they offered for Bregman and try to spend more money at first base on a target like Christian Walker.

The Astros are intent on bringing Alex Bregman back this offseason, but Rosenthal mentions that they would be interested in Jorge Polanco as a fallback option if Bregman decides to go elsewhere. It would be an interesting pivot since the 31-year-old Polanco was not good in 2025, slashing .213/.296/.355 in 469 plate appearances for the Mariners. He also had surgery to repair the patellar tendon in his knee earlier in October and has graded out as a well below-average second baseman during his career, so there is no guarantee he could transition to third base full-time.

Polanco is a free agent after the Mariners decided it wasn’t worth $11.25 million to bring him back for 2025. Coming off his worst full season since 2017, he’ll probably sign a one-year deal and hope for something better next winter.

Polanco instead receives a $750,000 buyout. The 31-year-old was not effective in 2025 with a .213/.296/.355 slash in 469 plate appearances, and he underwent surgery to repair the patellar tendon in his knee earlier in October. He’s expected to be ready for the start of the season, and there will assuredly be interest from a club that hopes Polanco can find the form that made him such a strong option with the Twins.

The Mariners still have a decision to make on Polanco for next year. The club can keep him on a $12 million option or buy him out for $750,000. Seattle has until five days after the World Series to make the call. Polanco hit .213/.296/.355 in 469 plate appearances this year.

Luke Raley and Josh Rogas are also sitting, though since the Mariners are facing a lefty in JP Sears, that’s typical. Luis Urías, Mitch Haniger and Leo Rivas are getting rare starts tonight.