Jorge Polanco is the top second base free agent
Brandon Lowe is the best power bat at second base on the trade market, but Jorge Polanco is the best that will be on the free agent market this offseason. The switch-hitter’s 2025 season with the Seattle Mariners is arguably the best campaign of his career yet, at least with the bat. He set career-highs in multiple stats, and will soon head into free agency.
Polanco rebounded nicely from a poor 2024 season to turn in a .265/.326/.495 triple-slash over 524 plate appearances. He went yard 26 times, which trailed just the previously mentioned Lowe, along with Jazz Chisholm, Ketel Marte, and Jose Altuve. Polanco wasn’t just a power threat with no plate discipline, either. He walked at an 8% rate with a career-low 15.6% K% (outside of the 2020 season). All told, he had a 132 wRC+ and career-best career-high .350 wOBA. Polanco ranked second in OPS, wOBA, and wRC+, among his second base peers.
The downside to Polanco’s game is his defense. He’s never been much of a defender and even spent a majority of his 2025 season as the Mariners’ designated hitter. Polanco shifted from shortstop to second base in 2021, and the defensive metrics aren’t kind to Polanco. He has -2 DRS, a -8.3 UZR/150, and -28 OAA in 3528.2 innings at the keystone. He also has some playing time at third base, but it is his least familiar position.
Polanco does have a player option, but it is only $6 million. He is a guarantee to test free agency. When Polanco opts out of his current deal, he’ll become the best hitter at second base and one of the best bats in general on the open market. While the Mets may make the sacrifice on defense when it comes to Polanco, they’d be getting a high-quality bat.