Seattle Mariners

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Lore & Background

Polanco's time with the Twins began when he signed as an international free agent in 2009, receiving a $725,000 bonus. He rose through the minors, famously rooming with Max Kepler in Florida, before making his MLB debut on June 26, 2014. His career in Minnesota was defined by resilience; he overcame an eight-game suspension for stanozolol in 2018 to return as a cornerstone player. By 2019, he was the American League's starting shortstop in the All-Star Game and hit for the cycle against the Philadelphia Phillies on April 5. He later shifted to second base in 2021 after Andrelton Simmons arrived, setting career highs with 33 home runs and 98 RBIs while earning Twins MVP honors.

In Their Own Story

The transition to Seattle began on January 29, 2024, when the Twins traded Polanco for pitchers Anthony DeSclafani and Justin Topa, along with prospects Gabriel González and Darren Bowen. His first season in Seattle was difficult; he slashed .213/.296/.355 in 118 games, recording a career-high 137 strikeouts and ranking as the 14th worst defender at second base by Statcast. However, the narrative turned in 2025 after the Mariners declined his $12 million option for 2026 but re-signed him to a one-year, $7 million deal on February 3. Polanco exploded in April, going 8-for-17 with four home runs to win American League Player of the Week. This made him and Dylan Moore the first consecutive weekly winners since Alex Rodriguez and Ken Griffey Jr. in 1998.

Reader's Guide

Polanco's resurgence culminated in a historic postseason run for Seattle. On October 5, he hit two home runs off Tarik Skubal in Game 2 of the ALDS to secure a 3-2 victory. In Game 5, his game-winning RBI single in the 15th inning sent the Mariners to their first ALCS since 2001. Regular season feats included hitting for doubles in seven consecutive games from September 8–14, tying a franchise record, and collecting 10 doubles during that stretch, tied for the second-most in major league history. He finished 2025 batting .265/.326/.495 before declining his player option for 2026 on November 5, becoming a free agent just weeks before signing with the New York Mets.

Did You Know?

• Polanco hit for the cycle on April 5, 2019, going 5-for-5 against the Philadelphia Phillies.
• In 2025, Polanco and teammate Dylan Moore became the first Seattle players to win Player of the Week in consecutive weeks since Alex Rodriguez and Ken Griffey Jr. in 1998.
• During his 2023 season with the Twins, manager Rocco Baldelli named Polanco an unofficial co-manager for a game on September 30.
• Polanco recorded his 1,000th career hit on July 6, 2025, off Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes.
• In Game 5 of the 2025 ALDS, Polanco drove in the winning run with a single in the 15th inning.