This season, the Seattle Mariners had a chance to win the World Series, which was unexpected given the team’s position at the trade deadline. In order to acquire players like Josh Naylor and Eugenio Suárez, the Mariners made a few significant moves during the trade deadline. Although both of these sluggers are currently free agents, they both contributed significantly to the Mariners’ run to the American League Championship Series.
Although it’s highly doubtful that the Mariners will be able to sign both of these sluggers to new contracts, they should prioritize getting at least one of them back. Alternatively, the Mariners may acquire one and then go after some players at a lower cost.
However, the Mariners have other free agents this offseason besides these two. In fact, one of their top postseason players is also about to become a free agent.
The Mariners ought to make every effort to keep free agent Jorge Polanco this winter. The New York Post’s Jon Heyman recently predicted that Polanco will get a $42 million, three-year contract this summer, which should be well within the Mariners’ budget.
Jorge Polanco projected to sign $42 million deal
Without Polanco, the Mariners would not have advanced as far in the postseason as they did. When the lights were at their brightest, he produced some of his best performances. The Mariners should be able to rejoin with him because it is anticipated that he will sign such a cheap contract.
Two of the Mariners’ top three free agents—Polanco, Suárez, and Naylor—need to be signed. They will have a strong chance to win again the next season if they can sign two of these three.
However, Polanco might be targeted by other competing teams. It’s likely that the New York Mets want to add any talent they can find. The San Diego Padres may try to sign Polanco in order to replace the talent they are losing this winter.
There should be many bidders for the Polanco sweepstakes this winter, particularly if it will cost about $42 million to sign him.