Mets Turn to Jorge Polanco at First Base as Offseason Hunt for Pitching and a Bat Intensifies

Overview

• Jorge Polanco, a career infielder with one MLB game at first base, is expected to split time between first base and designated hitter in 2026.
• Polanco spent more than two months in 2025 working pregame at first base with Mariners coaches Perry Hill and Manny Acta to learn position-specific mechanics.
• Perry Hill noted Polanco must break typical middle-infield habits, emphasizing first-base positioning, relays, and getting to the bag quickly.
• The Mets let Pete Alonso leave after declining to match the Orioles’ five-year, $155 million offer, reframing how the club fills first base and replaces power.
• New York remains active for frontline pitching and a meaningful bat, with reported interest in options such as Freddy Peralta, Sandy Alcantara, and Cody Bellinger, while speculation about Bo Bichette highlights defensive fit concerns.