Mets $40 Million Infielder Deemed Potential Bust Before Season Begins

Experts raise concerns about Jorge Polanco's health and position change as he joins the Mets on a two-year, $40 million deal.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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The New York Mets have signed infielder Jorge Polanco to a two-year, $40 million contract, but the move has already been labeled a potential bust by experts. Polanco is coming off a strong season with the Seattle Mariners, but he has struggled with injuries in recent years and has limited experience playing first base, the position the Mets want him to play.

Why it matters

The Mets are looking to bounce back after missing the playoffs last season, and Polanco's performance will be crucial to their success. However, the concerns raised about his health and ability to transition to a new position could undermine the team's plans if they prove accurate.

The details

Polanco hit 26 home runs and posted an .821 OPS for the Mariners last season, but he has played in just 302 of a possible 486 games over the past three seasons due to injuries. The Mets are asking him to play first base, a position he has only played once in his MLB career, which raises additional questions about his ability to adapt to the new role.

  • Polanco signed a two-year, $40 million contract with the Mets in the 2023 offseason.
  • The Mets are set to begin the 2024 MLB season in the coming weeks.

The players

Jorge Polanco

A 30-year-old infielder who was signed by the Mets to a two-year, $40 million contract in the 2023 offseason.

Tim Kelly

A writer for Bleacher Report who labeled Polanco as a potential bust candidate before the 2024 season.

Carlos Mendoza

The manager of the New York Mets, who will be tasked with getting Polanco acclimated to his new position at first base.

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What they’re saying

“There's no doubt that Jorge Polanco was excellent for the Seattle Mariners last season, homering 26 times and posting an .821 OPS for a club that finished within a win of the World Series. The biggest problem, though, with the Mets giving him a two-year, $40 million deal this offseason is that he played in just 302 of a possible 486 games between 2021 and 2023. He's a major risk from a health sense. Additionally, the Mets are asking him to slide over to first base, a position he's played only once in his MLB career. So if Polanco struggles at first base, the Mets will either have to stick it out there or have him get the overwhelming majority of his at-bats at DH.”

— Tim Kelly, Writer (Bleacher Report)

What’s next

The Mets will need to closely monitor Polanco's progress at first base during spring training and the early part of the season to determine if he can successfully make the transition to the new position.

The takeaway

The Mets' decision to sign Polanco to a lucrative contract despite his injury history and limited experience at first base is a risky move that could backfire if he struggles to stay healthy and adapt to his new defensive role. The team's success this season may hinge on Polanco proving the doubters wrong.