Mets splurge on 2025 playoff hero to cover recent free agency mistakes

After a Winter Meetings defined by the losses of Pete Alonso and Edwin Díaz, the New York Mets have responded by signing an unsung hero from the Seattle Mariners' playoff run. The Mets have signed veteran utility man Jorge Polanco in what seems to be a direct response to Alonso leaving for the Baltimore Orioles.

ESPN's Jeff Passan reports that Polanco's deal with the Mets is for two years and worth $40 million. The initial plan seems to be for Polanco to take over as the Mets' first baseman while also getting some run as the team's designated hitter.

Mets respond to Pete Alonso's departure by swiping the Seattle Mariners' 2025 playoff hero.

In paying Polanco $20 million in each of the next two years, the Mets seem to be expressing their belief that he can repeat his 2025 production, a season in which Polanco hit 26 home runs while being at the center of Seattle's success in the playoffs.

It's hard to make sense of what the Mets are doing this offseason. They jumped out ahead of the market to sign Devin Williams away from the New York Yankees, but then weren't willing to do so for Díaz or Alonso. Not to mention, last month, they traded away fan-favorite Brandon Nimmo in exchange for an aging second baseman in Marcus Semien.

On one hand, overpaying Polanco could be a sign that David Stearns will be aggressive between now and the start of spring training. While that may not mean the Mets get involved in the bidding for Kyle Tucker, it remains plausible to think they could make a strong run at Cody Bellinger--assuming that money truly isn't going to be the issue.

It's an issue that Mets fans haven't had to consider in recent years, considering the eagerness with which the front office has spent money in the past. However, not matching Díaz's offer with the Dodgers and not making an offer to Alonso gave off the impression that Steve Cohen may have tightened up the purse strings this winter.

Polanco's deal suggests otherwise, but also begs the question of why the Mets didn't just use that money to up their offer to Díaz and make a conceited effort to bring back Alonso. Perhaps the answer will become clear in the weeks ahead.