Jorge Polanco set for free agency after Mariners decline option

Field Level Media|published: Fri 1st November, 17:42 2024

Sep 24, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Seattle Mariners second baseman Jorge Polanco (7) reacts to his home run against the Houston Astros in the second inning at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images

Veteran second baseman Jorge Polanco is set to become a free agent after the Seattle Mariners declined his $12 million option, the team announced Friday.

Infielder Luis Urias cleared waivers and elected to become a free agent, the Mariners also announced Friday.

Polanco, who came to the Mariners in January via a trade from the Minnesota Twins, will receive a $750,000 buyout.

The 31-year-old Polanco had surgery on Oct. 10 to repair the patellar tendon in his left knee and is expected to be ready for spring training.

This season, the switch hitter set career lows with a .213 batting average, a .296 on-base percentage and a .651 OPS in 118 games. He had 16 home runs, 45 RBIs and a .355 slugging percentage.

Polanco, a native of the Dominican Republic, spent his first 10 seasons with the Twins (2014-23) and was selected to the American League All-Star team as a shortstop in 2019. The Twins traded him to the Mariners on Jan. 29 for four players and cash.

He is a career .263 hitter with 128 homers, 492 RBIs, a .330 on-base percentage, a .435 slugging percentage and a .765 OPS in 950 games.

Urias, 27, came to the Mariners last November in a trade with the Boston Red Sox for right-handed pitcher Isaiah Campbell. Urias hit .191 with four homers and 16 RBIs in 94 at-bats over 41 games.

In 486 games for the San Diego Padres (2018-19), Milwaukee Brewers (2020-23), Red Sox (2023) and Mariners, Mexican-born Urias has a .232 average with 52 home runs and 196 RBI.

--Field Level Media