HEARTBREAKING NEWS: Mariners blockbuster acquisition posed unfortunate-healthy shadow of his former self

When the Seattle Mariners traded four players to the Minnesota Twins for Jorge Polanco, they were expecting to add an All-Star with a strong presence in the middle of their lineup. However, their high-profile acquisition turned out to be a shadow of his former self.

Polanco struggled with a persistent knee injury throughout much of 2024, which ultimately required offseason surgery to repair his patellar tendon.

Like many players, he kept the injury under wraps and played through the discomfort. Unfortunately for the Mariners, this situation wasn’t new to them—first baseman Ty France was also known for trying to play through injuries instead of addressing them.

 

 

When healthy, Polanco has been a reliable offensive contributor. In his 10 seasons, his average never dropped below .230. He had his best year in 2019, posting 4.7 WAR with a .295/.356/.485 slash line, 22 home runs, and 79 RBI.

In the four seasons that followed, Polanco’s offensive numbers declined, but he remained valuable, hitting .256 with 67 home runs and 221 RBI, totaling 9.8 WAR.

Polanco’s performance in 2024, however, took a major downturn. His average fell to .213, and he set a career-high with 137 strikeouts, resulting in a 29.2% strikeout rate—up 4% from the previous year.

There were some positive aspects, though, as his home run total increased by two compared to 2023, and he nearly matched his RBI count from the previous season.

Now, with limited financial flexibility and roster options, the Mariners are counting on the veteran second baseman to help fill their third-base gap. Polanco signed a one-year contract and has only played 24 games at third base in his career.

However, Seattle holds a favorable position. Their infield coach, Perry Hill, made significant strides with Polanco in 2024, and there is hope that Hill can work his magic with the veteran once again in 2025.

How Will Polanco Fit Into the Mariners’ Plans?

Polanco began spring training as the designated hitter, going 0-for-2 in his debut. Though he didn’t reach base, there were noticeable improvements in his balance—an adjustment he discussed with Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times.

“It affected my balance,” Polanco admitted. “Your legs are significant to hitting. You have to use them. You have to use the ground. I couldn’t.”

This is concerning, especially for a player who appeared in 118 games for a struggling offense. However, Polanco’s next statement offers a sense of hope.

“Now it feels way better. I’m using my legs. I’m connected to the ground, and it feels good.”

Polanco’s mindset heading into the season is noteworthy, particularly with the Mariners facing financial limitations and few major moves in the offseason. Still, he remains confident in the team’s prospects.

“The players here are really good,” he said. “The chemistry we built by the end of last season was really good. I wanted to come back here. I know we’ve got a chance.”

Seattle is taking a cautious approach with Polanco, keeping him out of the field for now. However, Divish anticipates that he’ll be cleared to play third base sometime next week. In the meantime, he’ll focus on individual drills as the Mariners hope for a fully healthy and productive season from their infield gamble.