Former MN Twins Infielder Changing Positions With Big Spender

The Minnesota Twins have indicated they plan to hold onto their trio of stars and build around them this offseason. How significant or substantive that commitment is remains will be remains to be seen. The reality is that Derek Falvey needs to make a handful of moves, but the totality will likely still fall short of even modest payroll expectations.

Minnesota’s greatest needs are at first base and in the bullpen. The Twins never had much reason to consider a middle infielder unless that player could credibly man shortstop from a defensive standpoint. Still, keeping tabs on former connections always makes sense.

Playoff hero Jorge Polanco opted into free agency this offseason, and now he’s got a new home.

Jorge Polanco signs with New York Mets

The Minnesota Twins traded Jorge Polanco to the Seattle Mariners prior to the 2024 season. He posted just a 92 OPS+ during the regular season and re-upped with the AL West club on a one-year deal last year. His postseason heroics and career-best 134 OPS+ helped earn him a sizable payday.

Polanco signed a two-year worth $40 million, guaranteeing him an average of $20 million per season. That represents a massive payday for a player who had never previously earned more than $10.5 million in a season.

With New York Mets owner Steve Cohen boasting a net worth of $23 billion, the contract is a drop in the bucket. Still, it’s fair to wonder whether the deal is something of an overpay. Outside of the 138 games played last season, Polanco averaged just 101 games per year over the previous three seasons. Knee injuries have hampered his availability, and he is now 32 years old.

JORGE POLANCO WINS IT IN THE 15TH INNING!

THE @MARINERS ARE HEADING TO THE ALCS!!! pic.twitter.com/IEb6DLrHaY

— MLB (@MLB) October 11, 2025

The Mets plan to move Polanco to first base. From a health perspective that shift could help preserve his knees. However, it’s also a direct reflection of New York losing its coveted Polar Bear. Pete Alonso signed a five-year, $155 million deal with the Baltimore Orioles.

In the most productive offensive season of his career, Polanco posted a 2.6 fWAR and was valued at $21.1 million. Expecting him to replicate that performance while aging and moving down the defensive spectrum is a sizable gamble.

Despite nearly 8,000 career innings in the majors, Polanco has never played first base. Add in another nearly 3,000 innings in the minors, and he still has no experience at the position. In fact, he stood at first base for a single play last April, just long enough to get a front-row view of the Giants walking off the Mariners.

Minnesota still needs help at first base this season, but paying Polanco $20 million per year was never going to be on the table. It will be worth monitoring to see if this move goes sideways for the Mets.