Seattle’s Free‑Agent Crossroads
The Mariners entered the offseason with three of their most impactful players — Jorge Polanco, Eugenio Suárez, and Josh Naylor — available in free agency. While Seattle successfully re‑signed Naylor, the futures of Polanco and Suárez remain uncertain. The club reportedly doesn’t expect to commit to overly large contracts.
According to a recent projection by commentator Joey Peterson, Polanco has emerged as a prime target for the Pirates this offseason. The forecast: a deal worth approximately $26 million — a figure that aligns with Polanco’s career-best 2025 performance.
Polanco: Career Rebirth in 2025
Polanco’s 2025 campaign marked a major bounce-back. He slashed .265/.326/.495, clubbing 26 home runs and posting a wRC+ of 132 — the highest of his career. According to analysts, his 26-homer season ranked as his second‑best power output ever.
Beyond the raw power numbers, Polanco played a pivotal role in Seattle’s postseason push. In clutch moments during the playoffs, he delivered key hits — including solo home runs off tough pitching and a walk-off RBI single in Game 5 of the Division Series. That kind of production from the middle of the lineup is precisely what the Pirates are reportedly hoping to land.
Why the Pirates Might Make a Move
For Pittsburgh, acquiring Polanco makes strategic sense. While the Pirates reportedly show interest in bigger-name sluggers — such as Kyle Schwarber — Polanco presents a more affordable, high-upside middle-of-the-order bat. At around $10–16 million per year by some estimates, he offers a balance of power and cost-efficiency.
Moreover, Polanco is just 32 — still young enough to contribute meaningfully for several seasons. His experience and veteran presence can offer Pittsburgh both stability and leadership as the club seeks to emerge from its rebuilding phase.
What Seattle Loses — and What Might Stay
Losing Polanco would be a blow to the Mariners’ offensive depth and lineup balance. With Naylor re-signed and Suárez uncertain, Polanco’s departure would leave a significant middle-of-the-order void. Analysts have warned that letting go of multiple core contributors could jeopardize Seattle’s competitiveness — even as other key players weigh free agency.
That said, the Mariners may not balk at the move if it helps them reset their payroll and reallocate resources more strategically. With Naylor locked in, and Suárez another potential departure, Seattle could opt to avoid overspending and instead double down on building a sustainable core rather than chasing big-name free agents.
At this stage, the projected Polanco-to-Pirates move remains speculative — but momentum is clearly building. With both sides at a crossroads (Pittsburgh rebuilding and Seattle recalibrating), the coming weeks could bring definitive action.
If Polanco does sign with Pittsburgh, it could mark one of the offseason’s biggest surprises — and reshape both clubs’ trajectories as they head into 2026. For now, fans in Seattle and Pittsburgh alike wait, watch, and speculate.
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