What in the Jorge Polanco Is the Mets’ Plan?

The Mets reportedly have agreed to a two-year, $40 million deal with Jorge Polanco. That’s right: two years, forty million dollars. For a guy whose primary claim to fame is well, hitting .265 with 26 homers last year and being really good at remembering how to swing a bat. Polanco, 32, will be in New York reportedly to play first base and DH. And yes, I said first base. Hold on to that thought—we’ll circle back.

Let’s start with the stats. Over a 12-year MLB career, Polanco has been a versatile man of the diamond: 1,088 games, 1063 RBIs, .263 batting average, .771 OPS. Not exactly Pete Alonso (too soon?) numbers, but not exactly Jim Fregosi either. Defensively, he’s mostly been a second baseman, with stints at shortstop, third, and DH sprinkled in. First base? He’s played one game there in his entire career. One. If this is the run-prevention strategy—the kind Stearns allegedly loves—then $20 million a year on a 32-year-old with one game experience at first seems like an odd place to start.

Now, I’m all for versatility, but let’s get real. Mark Vientos has played about 17 games at first base or 1600% more than Polanco in the majors. Vientos has some experience at first, though it’s limited. Polanco at first feels like a long shot.

Let’s also do a quick “what could have been” comparison. Japanese star Free Agent Kazuma Okamoto of the Yomiuri Giants is a polished, versatile corner infielder who can actually hit 20-25 homers a year, has excellent contact skills, and can man both corners would almost certainly cost $64 million over four years. Polanco’s deal is $40 million over two. Okamoto is probably a better fit, cheaper long-term value, and doesn’t require fans to breathe through their teeth every time he fields a slow roller.

And then there’s the ongoing trade chatter with the Padres. The Mets have reportedly discussed deals involving names like Nick Pivetta, Ramón Laureano, Mason Miller, Adrian Morejón, and Jerimiah Estrada, with San Diego targeting young major leaguers and top prospects in return. It’s also been confirmed that Francisco Lindor and Fernando Tatis Jr. are not part of any conversations, which at least narrows the panic window. In that context, Polanco could be viewed as a kind of Plan B—insurance in case Brett Baty or Mark Vientos and Jeff McNeil is included in a deal. If that happens, Polanco could slide to third, spend time at DH, and—at least on paper—cover first if needed...

Here’s the bottom line: I like Jorge Polanco. He hits, he’s versatile, and he’s a professional. But I do not understand the Mets’ plan. DH? Fine. First base? I need to sit down. Insurance policy? Maybe. Polanco could be the Swiss Army knife the Mets hope he is, or he could end up as an expensive cameo in the ongoing Mets comedy show of roster management.

Whatever the plan is, Mets fans are left squinting at the sky, wondering, “What in the Jorge Polanco is going on here?”