Infielder Jorge Polanco and the Seattle Mariners finalized a one-year, $7.75 million contract on Monday.
Polanco will earn a $7 million salary for the 2025 season. The contract also includes a conditional player option for 2026 worth $6 million, with a $750,000 buyout. If Polanco reaches 550 plate appearances in 2025, the option price would increase to $8 million.
If Polanco has 450 or more plate appearances in 2025 and does not suffer a lower-body injury that would keep him off the 2026 opening day roster, the option becomes a player option.
If he does not meet the conditions for the player option, the contract includes a mutual option for 2026 at $8 million, with a $750,000 buyout.
Polanco can earn up to $3.5 million in performance bonuses based on plate appearances in 2025: $250,000 for 250 and 300, and $500,000 each for 350, 400, 450, 500, 550, and 600.
Polanco, 31, is a second baseman who has also played shortstop and third base. He had a rough season in 2024, batting a career-low .213 with 16 home runs and 45 RBIs in 118 games. He missed time from May 27 to June 24 due to a strained right hamstring.
An All-Star in 2019, Polanco has a .263 career batting average with 128 home runs and 492 RBIs over 11 seasons with Minnesota (2014-23) and Seattle.
In February 2019, Polanco agreed to a five-year, $25.75 million contract. The Twins exercised a $10.5 million option in November 2023 and traded him to the Mariners in January 2024 for pitchers Anthony DeSclafani and Justin Topa, plus minor leaguers outfielder Gabriel Gonzalez and pitcher Darren Brown. Minnesota also agreed to send Seattle $8 million as part of the trade.
The Mariners declined Polanco’s $12 million option for 2025, triggering a $750,000 buyout and making him a free agent.
Seattle also acquired right-hander Casey Legumina from Cincinnati for cash. Outfielder Cade Marlowe and left-hander Jhonathan Díaz were designated for assignment.
