Jorge Polanco is once again dealing with injury issues, this time with the New York Mets. The infielder is experiencing Achilles tendinitis, causing him to be in and out of the Mets’ lineup early in the season.
This mirrors the situation the Seattle Mariners faced with Polanco. The Mariners have largely avoided major injuries this season.
Polanco’s Injury-Plagued Time with the Mariners
Polanco dealt with similar issues during his first season with the Mariners in 2024, contributing to a 92 OPS+ and a 1.3 rWAR. Expected to play third base in 2025, knee issues limited his ability to play in the field early in the season. Strangely, he hit well but could only hit as a lefty, despite being a switch-hitter.
The knee bothered Polanco to the point where he couldn’t hit right-handed for a period and was kept out of the field. Despite this, he still managed impressive numbers in March and April of last year, hitting .384/.418/.808 with nine home runs in just 22 games.
Mariners’ Decision Not to Re-Sign Polanco
Even though Polanco’s performance dipped after his initial surge, he remained a significant part of the Mariners’ team that reached the ALCS. When it was time to consider bringing him back in free agency, his injury concerns played a significant role in the Mariners’ decision-making process. The Mariners appeared interested in a short-term deal.
However, the Mets offered a two-year, $40 million deal, which the Mariners chose not to match. The Mariners felt that the constant injury issues throughout 2024 and 2025 were problematic. Furthermore, re-signing him would have consumed a large portion of their budget, potentially hindering other moves.
How the Mariners Moved On
The Mariners’ decision not to re-sign Polanco and the subsequent trade for Brendan Donovan has worked out. Donovan has been one of the few Mariners hitters who hasn’t been struggling this year. Had the Mariners kept Polanco, he likely would have been the designated hitter, with Ben Williamson at third base.
Rob Refsnyder likely wouldn’t be with the team either. An injured Polanco would probably result in Mitch Garver getting many DH at-bats, and the Mariners lineup would look even less scary than it does right now.
Polanco is a good player and helped the Mariners last year. He will likely help the Mets this year, too. But his injury history means he is not consistently in the lineup and in the field.
When Polanco has been able to play at full strength, he has been a solid contributor to a playoff team. But when he is hurt, it is a different story.