New York Mets replace Pete Alonso with former Minnesota Twins fan favorite

Mets agree to two-year contract with former twin Jorge Polanco after Pete Alonso signs with Orioles

The New York Mets and Jorge Polanco have agreed to a two-year contract worth $40 million ESPN’s Jeff Passan And Will Sammon of athletics. He is expected to serve primarily as a first baseman and design hitter, as longtime Met Pete Alonso recently signed a five-year contract with the Baltimore Orioles. Polanco could also play third or second base for New York if needed.

Polanco made his MLB debut with the Twins at age 20 in 2014. He remained with Minnesota through the 2023 season before being traded to the Mariners for right-handed pitchers Justin Topa, Anthony DeSclafani and Darren Bowen and highly regarded outfield prospect Gabriel Gonzalez.

Polanco played in just five games for the Twins in 2014, then played in just four games in 2015. The infielder then played in 69 games in 2016 before becoming a full-time starter in 2017 and appearing in 133 games that season. He started his MLB career as a shortstop before later converting to a second baseman.

As a Twin, Polanco posted 16.8 bWAR and a .269/.334/.446 (111 OPS+) slash line with 112 home runs and 447 RBI over 3,529 plate appearances. In 2019, he made the American League All-Star team and finished 13th in the American League MVP voting.

After being dealt to the Mariners, Polanco struggled significantly. He played in 118 games with Seattle in 2024, posting 1.3 bWAR and a modest .213/.296/.355 (92 OPS+) slash line. The Mariners then re-signed Polanco to a one-year contract worth $7.75 million, allowing them to have a cheap, established second baseman while Polanco tried to prove he was worth a multi-year contract, which he certainly did.

Polanco had an excellent 2025 season for Seattle. In 138 games, the former Twins second baseman posted 2.6 bWAR and slashed .265/.326/.495 (134 OPS+) with 26 home runs and 78 RBI. He went on to become a postseason hero for Seattle,

In Game 2 of the 2025 ALDS against the Detroit Tigers, Polanco hit two home runs off back-to-back AL CY Young Award winner Tarik Skubal to give the Mariners a 3–2 win. Then in Game 5 of the series, Polanco hit a walk-off single in the 15th inning to send the Mariners to the ALCS to face the Toronto Blue Jays.