Mets are finding out what Mariners already knew about Jorge Polanco

The Seattle Mariners have clearly not gotten off to the beginning they needed to, however for probably the most half they’ve stayed wholesome. There have been just a few accidents on the staff, however they’ve been in a position to keep away from main accidents and nagging damage considerations.

That is one thing that former Mariner Jorge Polanco he has been coping with on his new staff, the New York Mets. Polanco has been having Achilles tendinitis and has been in and out of the lineup for the Mets early this season.

This is just not one thing new for Polanco, who handled comparable points throughout his first season with the Mariners in 2024, serving to end in a 92 OPS+ and only one.3 rWAR. He got here again to the staff in 2025 anticipated to play third base, however early within the season he was coping with knee points that restricted his capability to play within the subject. It was very unusual at instances final season as a result of he was hitting rather well however he might solely hit as a lefty although he was a switch-hitter.

That knee bothered Polanco too much to hit right-handed for a while and saved him out of the sector, however he by some means managed to place up nice numbers in March/April final yr. He hit .384/.418/.808 with 9 dwelling runs in simply 22 video games.

Mariners ought to be glad about the trail not taken with Jorge Polanco banged up once more

Even although Polanco did not hit that stage the remainder of the season, he nonetheless was a giant a part of the season that they had and helped them get to the ALCS. When it got here time to find out whether or not or to not deliver him again in free company, the damage considerations certainly performed a giant issue within the Mariners’ choice making. By all accounts, it sounded just like the Mariners needed him again on a short-term deal, and he would have been a pleasant piece for this yr.

But when the Mets swooped in with a two-year $40 million deal, it made sense the Mariners did not match that offer. The fixed damage drama all through 2024 and 2025 was not enjoyable, and he would have eaten up a variety of the Mariners’ finances and held the entrance workplace again from making different strikes.

His damage historical past was regarding and if the Mariners would have signed him, then they in all probability would not have traded for Brendan Donovan, who has been one of many few Mariners hitters who hasn’t been struggling this yr. If the Mariners had saved Polanco and never made the Donovan commerce, it could have probably solidified Polanco at DH and Ben Williamson at third base, and Rob Refsnyder in all probability would not be right here both. In that situation, an injured Polanco would in all probability end in Mitch Garver getting a lof of DH at-bats, and the Mariners lineup would look even much less scary than it does proper now.

All in all, Polanco is a pleasant participant who helped the Mariners final yr, and he probably will assist the Mets this yr. Unfortunately, he has an damage historical past and his accidents can maintain him from being within the lineup and within the subject persistently. When he has been in a position to play at full energy he’s a strong contributor to a playoff staff, however when he’s harm it’s merely a special story.