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The New York Mets caught the attention of Bleacher Report, which identified Jorge Polanco as a significant potential bust in the upcoming 2025-26 free-agent class. This assessment wasn’t just a sensational headline aimed at generating clicks. It served as a caution grounded in questions about durability, defensive reliability, and the suitability for a long-term position.

At first glance, the New York Mets’ two-year, $40 million commitment to Polanco appears to be a sound decision. He’s coming off a solid season with the Seattle Mariners, where he launched 26 home runs and recorded an impressive performance. With an .821 OPS, this team came tantalizingly close, finishing just one victory away from the World Series. That iteration of Polanco stands out as a true middle-of-the-order force.

The question remains whether that version will appear reliably and whether he can remain healthy enough to validate the contract.

The Durability Question the Mets Can’t Ignore

The biggest red flag Bleacher Report highlighted isn’t performance. Its availability.

From 2021 to 2023, Polanco took the field in only 302 out of a potential 486 games. That accounts for approximately 62% of the games played over three seasons. For years, he has battled soft-tissue injuries, knee problems, and persistent lower-body concerns.

As spring training gets underway for the Mets, manager Carlos Mendoza has made it clear that Polanco will be gradually integrated into the action. He’ll start by honing his skills on the back fields and taking live at-bats before making his game appearances. It’s a precautionary measure, yet it underscores the larger story at play. The Mets aren’t viewing him as a guaranteed presence for the entire 162-game season. They’re handling his situation carefully.

When you ink a multi-year contract with a 32-year-old infielder, the conversation around durability takes center stage. It’s pivotal.

If Polanco is sidelined for an extended period, the Mets will find themselves in a tight spot regarding their roster depth. Brett Baty is navigating his own hamstring issues. Luis Robert Jr. is being developed at a measured pace. Francisco Álvarez is recovering from thumb surgery. This roster already exhibits a certain fragility. Bringing in another player who requires careful management heightens unpredictability.

The First Base Experiment Adds Risk

Health isn’t the sole factor at play.

The Mets are requesting Polanco to make a shift to first base—a role he has occupied just once in his major league journey. Although he was never regarded as a top-tier defensive second baseman, transitioning across the diamond in the middle of his career is no simple task.

Agility and precision around the base. Ground balls in the infield. Strategic positioning tweaks. Pitching trajectories. It’s not as simple as just plugging it in and playing.

If Polanco struggles defensively at first base, the Mets will face a tough choice: accept subpar defense or move him primarily into a designated hitter role. However, the value of a player limited to designated hitter duties restricts roster flexibility. Particularly on a team that already requires careful management of rest days for its essential players.

A subtle ripple effect is also at play here. Investing $20 million each year in a bat-first infielder means you’re counting on reliable production from the middle of the lineup. When his defensive abilities limit lineup options and his health reduces his playing time, the potential return on investment declines rapidly.

This conversation extends beyond the question of whether Polanco can replicate his 26-homer performance. The focus is on his ability to deliver consistent performance over 140 games while adapting to a different position on the field.

Bleacher Report’s Tim Kelly didn’t write him off. They pinpointed emerging patterns.

Trends are crucial.

Polanco undeniably possesses the potential to prove the skeptics wrong. If he can match his .821 OPS from last season, transition to first base, and stay healthy, this contract may be justified and even beneficial to the organization.

If the injuries recur or the position move causes problems, the Mets may have to explain how a $40 million investment became a short-term risk with low returns.

For a squad aiming to optimize its championship chances, the margin for error is more precarious than it appears.

That’s what makes Polanco such an intriguing subject to analyze. It’s not a matter of talent; rather, his success will depend more on his ability to maintain consistency than on sheer skill.

Alvin Garcia Born in Puerto Rico, Alvin Garcia is a sports writer for Heavy.com who focuses on MLB. His work has appeared on FanSided, LWOS, NewsBreak, Athlon Sports, and Yardbarker, covering mostly baseball. More about Alvin Garcia