SEATTLE (AP) — Infielder Jorge Polanco and the Seattle Mariners finalized a $7.75 million, one-year contract on Monday.
Polanco gets a $7 million salary, and the agreement includes a $6 million conditional player option for 2026 with a $750,000 buyout. The option price would escalate to $8 million if he has 550 or more plate appearances in 2025.
If Polanco has 450 or more plate appearances in 2025 and does not have an injury to a lower extremity that prevents him from being on the 2026 opening day roster, the option becomes a player option.
If he fails to meet the conditions for the player option, the deal includes an $8 million mutual option with a $750,000 buyout.
Polanco can earn $3.5 million in performance bonuses in 2025 for plate appearances: $250,000 each for 250 and 300, and $500,000 apiece for 350, 400, 450, 500, 550 and 600.
A 31-year-old second baseman who also has played at shortstop and third base, Polanco hit a career-low .213 last season with 16 home runs and 45 RBIs in 118 games. He was on the injured list from May 27 until June 24 because of a strained right hamstring.
An All-Star in 2019, Polanco has a .263 career average with 128 homers and 492 RBIs in 11 seasons with Minnesota (2014-23) and Seattle.
Polanco agreed in February 2019 to a $25.75 million, five-year 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 and a pair of minor leaguers: outfielder Gabriel Gonzalez and pitcher Darren Brown. Minnesota agreed to send Seattle $8 million as part of the trade.
Seattle declined his $12 million option for 2025, triggering a $750,000 buyout and allowing him to become a free agent.
The Mariners also acquired right-hander Casey Legumina from Cincinnati for cash. Outfielder Cade Marlowe and left-hander Jhonathan Díaz were designated for assignment.
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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
The Associated Press
