The Mariners on Friday declined their $12MM membership choice on second baseman Jorge Polanco, per a staff announcement. He’ll be paid a $750K buyout and change into a free agent. The M’s additionally introduced that infielder Luis Urias went unclaimed on outright waivers and elected free company. Their 40-man roster is at the moment at 36 gamers.
Seattle acquired the switch-hitting Polanco from the Twins final offseason in a commerce sending reliever Justin Topa, veteran righty Anthony DeSclafani, prospects Gabriel Gonzalez and Darren Bowen, and money again to Minnesota. The hope on the time was that the regular Polanco would solidify what had been a revolving door at second base for 2 seasons in Seattle. As a substitute, Polanco turned the newest notable veteran to reach in Seattle and see his offensive manufacturing unexpectedly decline in swift trend.
Polanco hit .270/.338/.455 in practically 2700 plate appearances with the Twins from 2018-23, solely as soon as posting below-average offense in a season (2020). He’d incurred some damage troubles within the two years instantly previous the swap however was getting into his age-30 season. There was little cause to anticipate a steep decline on the plate, however that’s precisely what performed out. Polanco, a 2019 All-Star, received out to an terrible .197/.285/.298 slash by means of the primary three months of the season. He picked up the tempo significantly in July, however by that time there was little salvaging his season. He wound up with career-lows in batting common (.213) and on-base share (.298). His .355 slugging share was precisely one level increased than his career-worst .354 from that shortened 2020 season.
Extra to return.
