How Mets-Jorge Polanco Deal Impacts Red Sox-Alex Bregman Situation

The New York Mets have reportedly signed infielder Jorge Polanco to a two-year, $40 million contract. Per ESPN’s Jeff Passan, Polanco is expected to play first base and DH for the Pete Alonso-less Mets in 2026.

Polanco was reportedly a Boston Red Sox target, per MassLive’s Chris Cotillo and others. Just because Polanco didn’t land in Boston, though, doesn’t mean his deal with the Mets doesn’t have consequences that could impact the Red Sox, particularly in their pursuit of a new deal with third baseman Alex Bregman.

Few people know the true nature of Bregman’s market right now, but interesting rumors are swirling that Bregman and his super-agent Scott Boras have been goading the Seattle Mariners to get involved in his free agency.

Some pundits have speculated that the Mariners buzz suggests Bregman’s market is thinner than expected.

Cotillo loosely connected the Mets to Bregman this week, which would give the three-time All-Star another suitor.

Cotillo’s link was made before the Mets signed Polanco, however.

With New York agreeing to give the infielder Polanco $40 million on Saturday, many people are assuming the Mets are probably out on Bregman now (if they were ever truly in, to begin with).

It’s just another twist in Bregman’s ongoing free agency. On Friday, Bleacher Report’s Tim Kelly predicted that Bregman would return to the Red Sox on a five-year, $135 million deal, which would give Bregman a $27 million AAV.

On November 3, Bregman opted out of the final two years of his deal with the Red Sox, which would have paid him $80 million over the next two seasons.