Mariners Infielder Jorge Polanco Triggers 2026 Player Option Amid Strong Second-Half Performance

Seattle Mariners infielder Jorge Polanco triggered a $6 million vesting player option for the 2026 season by reaching 450 plate appearances in Saturday's game, also earning a $500,000 bonus. He has the potential to increase the option's value to $8 million at 550 plate appearances. Polanco, who signed a one-year, $7.75 million deal in January following patellar tendon surgery, prioritized staying healthy this season. He hit his 24th home run on Sunday, his second-highest career total. After some mid-summer regression, Polanco has been a key offensive contributor since the All-Star break, posting a .489 slugging, .833 OPS, and 135 wRC+. He's also been working out at first base to provide manager Dan Wilson with late-inning defensive flexibility, having played 15 games at second base since the break after being limited to designated hitter earlier in the season.