SEATTLE — The Seattle Mariners have officially signed infielder Jorge Polanco to a one-year contract valued at $7.75 million.
Polanco’s deal includes a base salary of $7 million, alongside a conditional player option for the 2026 season worth $6 million, which features a $750,000 buyout. Should Polanco secure 550 or more plate appearances during the 2025 season, the option amount will increase to $8 million.
Furthermore, if Polanco has 450 or more plate appearances in 2025 and is not hindered by a lower body injury that would keep him off the 2026 opening day roster, the option will become a player option. In the event that he does not meet the necessary criteria for the player option, the contract consists of an $8 million mutual option, also with a $750,000 buyout.
For the 2025 season, Polanco has the opportunity to earn up to $3.5 million in performance bonuses, based on his plate appearances. Specifically, he can earn $250,000 for reaching 250 and 300 plate appearances, and $500,000 for hitting milestones of 350, 400, 450, 500, 550, and 600 plate appearances.
At 31 years of age, Polanco has experience playing second base, shortstop, and third base. However, his performance last season was challenging, as he posted a career-low batting average of .213, hitting 16 home runs and driving in 45 runs over the course of 118 games. He was sidelined with a strained right hamstring from May 27 until June 24.
Polanco, an All-Star in 2019, has a career batting average of .263, totaling 128 home runs and 492 RBIs across 11 seasons with the Minnesota Twins and Seattle Mariners.
Previously, Polanco had signed a five-year contract worth $25.75 million in February 2019. The Twins activated a $10.5 million option in November 2023 before trading him to the Mariners in January 2024. The trade involved pitchers Anthony DeSclafani and Justin Topa, along with minor leaguers outfielder Gabriel Gonzalez and pitcher Darren Brown. Notably, Minnesota agreed to provide Seattle with $8 million as part of this exchange.
Following the trade, Seattle opted not to exercise Polanco’s $12 million option for 2025, which resulted in a $750,000 buyout and paved the way for him to enter the free agent market.
In addition to Polanco’s acquisition, the Mariners have also secured right-handed pitcher Casey Legumina from the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for cash considerations. In a related move, outfielder Cade Marlowe and left-handed pitcher Jhonathan Díaz were designated for assignment.
