4 weeks agoSeattle Mariners second baseman
Jorge Polanco (knee) is making his Cactus League debut on Monday against the Cleveland Guardians, serving as the designated hitter and batting third. Polanco was held back early in spring training this year after having surgery to six the patellar tendon in his left knee last October. As long as he doesn't have any setbacks with his surgically-repaired knee once he resumes playing in games in spring training, the 31-year-old veteran infielder should be ready for Opening Day at the end of this month. Polanco has plenty of bounce-back potential in fantasy in 2025, but he's also a pretty big injury risk, having played in 120 games only three times since debuting in the big leagues in 2017. The switch-hitting Dominican did have 33 homers in 2021 and has intriguing power for a second baseman, but his injury history merely makes him a late-round flier in deep-mixed leagues.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Shannon Drayer
2 months agoThe Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reports that free-agent infielder
Jorge Polanco (knee) agreed to re-sign with the Seattle Mariners on Thursday night for a one-year, $7.75 million guaranteed deal, pending a physical, according to sources. The Houston Astros had known interest in Polanco, but he'll return to the Mariners after the acquired him from the Minnesota Twins a year ago. His deal includes a $750,000 buyout on a vesting player/mutual option for 2026 based on plate appearances. Rosenthal says the M's plan to use Polanco at third base in 2025. The 31-year-old Dominican infielder battled through a knee injury and struggled to a .213/.296/.355 slash line with 16 homers and 45 RBI in 118 games in Seattle last year. With better health, Polanco could bounce back, but he's also played in 120 games in a season just once in 11 MLB campaigns.
Dylan Moore should be the favorite to start at the keystone for Seattle.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Ken Rosenthal
2 months agoAccording to Bruce Levine of 670 The Score, the Chicago Cubs have been interested in acquiring another veteran infielder and have been linked to
Jose Iglesias and
Jorge Polanco. While the team agreed to a contract with infielder
Jon Berti earlier this week, the team is still targeting another option as
Nico Hoerner (elbow) could be in danger of missing Opening Day. Iglesias enjoyed a career season with the Mets at age 35, posting a .337/.381/.448 line. Polanco played through a knee injury last season but underwent surgery in October and is expected to be a full go for spring training. Across 118 contests with Seattle last summer, Polanco held an underwhelming .213/.296/.355 line. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor Hoerner's status during spring training as the Cubs may continue to target one of these options for a short-term solution.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Bruce Levine
2 months agoAccording to Chandler Rome of The Athletic, the Houston Astros are continuing to pursue free-agent infielder
Jorge Polanco as a contingency plan if they fail to re-sign third baseman
Alex Bregman. While the team's priority is to reunite with their long-time third baseman, Polanco would be the pivot if Bregman were to sign with another club. On Sunday, the Astros traded relief pitcher
Ryan Pressly to the Chicago Cubs, which opened some salary space for the team to sign Bregman. If Bregman were to return, second baseman
Jose Altuve would likely shift to the outfield. Polanco would be a much cheaper alternative. Last season, the 31-year-old posted a disappointing .213/.296/.355 slash line with just 16 home runs. He underwent surgery to repair a patellar tendon in his knee in October but is expected to be a full go for spring training and should be expected to bounce back. If Polanco were to sign with Houston, fantasy managers should expect him to play at either the keystone or the hot corner.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Chandler Rome
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