The infielder signs a two-year, $40 million deal with the Mets instead, marking Pittsburgh’s second free agent miss this offseason after Kyle Schwarber.
Jorge Polanco is heading to New York instead of Pittsburgh. The 32-year-old infielder signed a two-year, $40 million contract with the Mets, according to multiple reports, removing another target from the Pirates’ free agent wish list. Pittsburgh had shown interest in Polanco, but once again could not close the deal on a player they pursued.
The signing represents the second significant free agent miss for the Pirates this offseason. They made a competitive offer to designated hitter Kyle Schwarber before he re-signed with the Philadelphia Phillies. The pattern is becoming familiar and concerning for a franchise trying to convince fans they are serious about competing.
Polanco is coming off a strong bounce-back season with Seattle, where he helped lead the Mariners deep into the playoffs. In 138 games, he hit .265 with an .821 OPS, 30 doubles, 26 home runs, and 78 RBI. Those numbers represented a significant return to form after previous injury-plagued seasons had raised questions about his durability and production.
Over 12 seasons split between Seattle and Minnesota, Polanco has compiled a .263/.330/.442 batting line with 222 doubles, 20 triples, 154 home runs, and 570 RBI across 1,088 games. He brings both offensive production and postseason experience, having reached the playoffs five times in the last nine seasons.
Winning matters more than money for some players
Earlier in the offseason, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported that Polanco was focused on joining a winning team. That priority apparently outweighed whatever Pittsburgh offered, assuming the Pirates even matched New York’s financial commitment. The Mets, despite missing the playoffs in 2025, are viewed as closer to contention than the Pirates.
That perception matters tremendously in free agency. Players with options typically choose situations where they believe they can win, especially veterans in their 30s who understand their championship windows are closing. Polanco has been to the postseason multiple times and knows what playoff baseball feels like. Returning to that environment matters more than an extra year of security or slightly higher annual salary.
The Pirates face this challenge repeatedly. They operate in a mid-market with ownership that has historically been reluctant to spend at levels comparable to larger-market competitors. Even when they make competitive offers, as they reportedly did with Schwarber, players often choose teams with better recent track records and clearer paths to October baseball.
Pittsburgh’s offseason additions remain minimal
The Pirates have stated publicly that adding to their lineup is a priority this offseason. So far, those statements have not translated into significant acquisitions. Their biggest move was trading pitcher Johan Oviedo to the Boston Red Sox for top 100 prospect Jhostynxon García. While García represents a promising young talent, he does not address immediate major league needs.
The team has been linked to other free agents, including Japanese slugger Kazuma Okamoto and 2025 All-Star Ryan O’Hearn. Whether those connections lead to actual signings remains unclear, especially given the recent pattern of targets choosing other destinations.
Pittsburgh also has interest in trade targets, including Jeff McNeil of the Mets. Polanco’s signing in New York could actually create an opportunity there. Both Polanco and McNeil are primary second basemen, though reports indicate Polanco will play first base and designated hitter for the Mets. That versatility might make McNeil expendable, potentially opening trade discussions.
Still, relying on trades for other teams’ expendable pieces is not the same as aggressively pursuing impact free agents. The Pirates need upgrades across multiple positions, and standing pat while competitors strengthen their rosters widens the competitive gap.
The risk of being cautious in free agency
There is a philosophy in baseball that suggests patience in free agency pays off. Waiting for the market to develop sometimes allows teams to sign quality players at discounted rates when initial offers do not materialize. Some front offices pride themselves on finding value rather than setting markets.
The problem with that approach is timing. The best players sign first, usually to teams willing to meet or exceed their asking prices. By the time prices drop, the available talent pool has diminished significantly. Teams waiting for bargains often end up settling for lesser options who remain unsigned because other clubs already filled their needs.
Pittsburgh appears stuck in this cycle. They express interest in quality players like Polanco and Schwarber but ultimately lose out to teams more willing to commit financially or perceived as better positioned to compete. The Pirates then pivot to lower-tier options or prospect acquisitions that do not move the needle for the current major league roster.
What this means for Pittsburgh’s 2026 outlook
Missing out on Polanco compounds the challenge facing the Pirates heading into 2026. They need offensive production, particularly from positions like second base, first base, and designated hitter. Polanco could have provided stability and veteran leadership while contributing meaningful offense.
Without him, the Pirates must continue searching for alternatives in a free agent market that gets picked over with each passing week. The remaining options will be less productive, more risky, or both. Teams that move decisively in November and early December typically have better outcomes than those still scrambling in January.
The Mets, meanwhile, continue building a roster designed to compete immediately. Adding Polanco gives them another experienced bat who has produced in big moments. New York is not sitting back and hoping prospects develop. They are actively pursuing players who can help them win now.
That philosophical difference explains why players like Polanco choose the Mets over the Pirates, regardless of what Pittsburgh offers financially. Baseball players want to play meaningful games in September and October. They want to compete for championships. The Pirates have not created an environment where free agents believe those things are realistic possibilities.
Pittsburgh needs to change its approach
At some point, the Pirates must decide whether they are serious about competing or content to remain perpetually rebuilding. Making competitive offers that fall short does not accomplish much if the pattern repeats year after year. Players notice which organizations commit to winning and which ones just talk about it.
The offseason is not over. Pittsburgh still has opportunities to upgrade its roster through trades or by pivoting to other free agents. But each missed target makes the challenge harder and the available solutions less appealing. The gap between aspiration and execution continues to define this franchise, and players like Jorge Polanco keep choosing to compete elsewhere.
