On Facebook
On Flipboard
On Twitter
When the Seattle Mariners traded for Jorge Polanco before the 2024 season, they thought they were getting an All-Star caliber player that could be the answer to their longstanding issues at second base. It didn't go that way, as Polanco slumped to a .213 average with 16 homers and 45 RBIs.
The Mariners declined his $12.5 million team option in the offseason, making him a free agent. He needed knee surgery in the offseason as well, bringing up questions about his health and durability.
Fast forward a few months, and bringing Polanco back looks like one of the best deals of the entire offseason. Signed to a modest $7.75 million deal, Polanco is hitting .377 with seven homers and 20 RBIs. He hit three homers in the team's most recent series win against the Miami Marlins.
He's been so good, that he leads baseball in slugging percentage entering play on Monday.
Per Adam Jude of the Seattle Times:
MLB slugging leaders (min. 75 PA):
Jorge Polanco, .739
Aaron Judge, .717
Wyatt Langford, .688
Corbin Carroll, .667
Pete Alonso, .646
How about another one pic.twitter.com/0lzfZ3IViM
— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) April 27, 2025
Considering Judge is the reigning American League MVP, that's quite the accomplishment for Polanco, who has done all his damage in just 20 games. He's missed time for paternity leave, knee maintenance and oblique discomfort.
A 12-year veteran, Polanco is a career .265 hitter.
The Mariners are off on Monday but will be back in action on Tuesday when they take on the Los Angeles Angels at T-Mobile Park.
First pitch is set for 6:40 p.m. PT. Seattle is 16-12 overall.
More must-reads:
- Guardians executive opens up about Emmanuel Clase investigation, what comes next
- Nationals suffer brutal blow with pitching prospect set to undergo Tommy John surgery
- The 'MLB mascot names' quiz
Breaking News
Trending News
TODAY'S BEST
Yankees Favorites to Land Dodgers Pitcher
The New York Yankees have yet to acquire a pitcher at this year's trade deadline, though that could change in short order. According to On SI's Pat Ragazzo, the Yankees have emerged as the early favorites to land Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Dustin May. May's name has floated around in trade talks quite a bit recently, with The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal previously stating that the Dodgers would prefer to land an outfielder in exchange for the 27-year-old rather than a reliever. "If the Dodgers move right-handed starter Dustin May, it likely would be for an outfielder and not a reliever, according to a source briefed on the club’s plans," Rosenthal wrote. "The team’s preference is to trade from its farm system as opposed to its major-league roster. Moving May for a reliever would seem pointless when the Dodgers could use him to fill that role himself." New York has a surplus of outfielders to deal from, even with Aaron Judge on the injured list. Trent Grisham's name has popped up in rumors, as has Jasson Dominguez's, but it's unlikely that the Yankees would trade either in order to acquire a rental pitcher who's struggled to the tune of a 4.85 ERA over 19 outings (18 starts) this season. Considering Grisham is also a rental, however, maybe the Yankees would give thought to swapping the 28-year-old center fielder for May given how desperate they are for pitching. It's unknown whether New York would place May in its bullpen or rotation if it were to land him. Injuries have been a constant throughout his major league career, evidenced by the fact that he's only thrown in just 39 games since 2021, so perhaps the Yankees could preserve his arm by making him a full-time reliever. It remains to be seen if trade talks between the Dodgers and Yankees progress, but May would certainly make for an intriguing and much-needed addition to a pitching staff that's posted the league's worst ERA (6.13) since July 1. Make sure to bookmark Yankees On SI to get all your daily New York Yankees news, interviews, breakdowns and more! Yankees Could Trade for Aaron Judge Replacement Yankees Trade Veteran Pitcher to Braves Yankees Need Massive Offer to Trade This Prospect Yankees Legend Inducted Into MLB Hall of Fame Yankees Give Timeline for Aaron Judge Return
Russell Westbrook Signing On Hold As Kings Aim To Finalize Key Trades
Recent league rumblings suggested that the Sacramento Kings will be signing Russell Westbrook to bolster their backcourt depth. While signing the nine-time All-Star would certainly be in their interest, the Kings appear to have other priorities in mind. Sacramento has been particularly active in trade talks this offseason. From being involved in negotiations for Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga to supposedly facilitating a trade for DeMar DeRozan, the Kings will be making some changes. Westbrook's arrival is imminent, as his agent, Jeff Schwarz, has been in constant communication with the Kings' front office. However, the organization is reportedly aiming to complete trades involving Malik Monk and Devin Carter before moving forward with Westbrook, per ABC10's Matt George. The trade market for Monk and Carter hasn’t been promising. Carter has been mentioned as the central figure in Sacramento's trade package for Kuminga. The Warriors haven't viewed this favorably, as they have shown an interest in Keon Ellis instead. Meanwhile, the Kings' decision to trade Monk is an intriguing one, especially in light of the season he had. Primarily acting as a bench player, the guard put up 17.2 points and 5.6 assists per night, while shooting 43.9% from the field and 32.5% from beyond the arc. At only 26 years old, Monk has proven himself a valuable contributor with his athleticism and shot-making ability. This move seems driven by roster imbalance and cap constraints. With a crowded backcourt and limited cap space, the Kings have been forced to make tough choices. Facilitating a trade for the guard has proven to be a challenge. Even though trade efforts for Monk began earlier this month, Sacramento hasn’t made much progress. While this could complicate matters under normal circumstances, it likely won’t derail Westbrook’s eventual signing. Apart from a few teams, the 36-year-old hadn't garnered much interest for his talents. When considering that the market for Westbrook was held up by Ben Simmons' pending decision to sign with a team, it is evident that Sacramento took a more proactive approach. This could have positive results in light of the season the veteran guard had. Coming off a solid season with the Denver Nuggets, Westbrook showcased that he could be perceived as a reliable floor general even at this stage in his career. For the 2024-25 season, he put up an average of 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 6.1 assists, while shooting 44.9% from the field and 32.3% from three-point range. He also showed that he could shine in a more prominent role, drawing on the task of being a starter in Jamal Murray's absence. That stretch led to a modest boost in production, reinforcing his value on a playoff-caliber team. Sacramento hasn’t made its direction for the upcoming season entirely clear. But given the current roster construction, a top-10 finish in the West seems unlikely.
Steelers Might Be The Legitimate Reason Terry McLaurin Wants Out Of Washington
The Pittsburgh Steelers made a shocking move early in the 2025 offseason. In a bold and unexpected trade, the team acquired star wide receiver DK Metcalf from the Seattle Seahawks, instantly changing the outlook of their offense. Shortly after the deal, the Steelers committed long-term, signing Metcalf to a five-year contract worth $150 million, with four new years and $132 million in fresh money. At $33 million per year, the Steelers made it clear they believe Metcalf is a rare talent worth every dollar. While the Steelers were focused on boosting their offense, their move has caused problems elsewhere in the NFL. The Washington Commanders now find themselves in a difficult position with their own star wide receiver, Terry McLaurin. During an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show on Monday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that McLaurin "wants considerably more than" the $33 million per year that Metcalf received in Pittsburgh. That revelation has sparked questions about whether the Commanders are prepared to meet McLaurin’s growing demands. The Steelers may not have intended to impact other teams' contract negotiations, but their deal with Metcalf is now being used as a measuring stick. McLaurin, who has consistently been one of the most reliable wideouts in the league, is looking to cash in at a level that reflects his value. Pittsburgh’s decision to pay top dollar has inadvertently put pressure on Washington, who must now decide whether to match or exceed those terms to keep their top receiver happy. The Commanders find themselves in a difficult position as the NFL continues to see critical positions like wide receiver experience rapid increases in market value. As star players across the league sign massive deals, it becomes increasingly challenging for teams to build balanced rosters while also keeping their top talent and maintaining consistency from one season to the next. Washington is now facing that exact challenge with McLaurin. It makes perfect sense that Metcalf’s massive extension with the Steelers is being used as a comparison. This is a common pattern in the NFL. One player gets paid, and others in the same position group see it as their opportunity to cash in. McLaurin, after watching Metcalf land a $33 million per year deal, likely sees this as the perfect moment to get the contract he believes he deserves. It is not about being greedy. Players understand the business side of the league and know their value can shift quickly. When the opportunity comes, they have to take advantage of it. Steelers' Omar Khan Has A Chance To Do Something Crazy At Wide Receiver The bigger question is whether McLaurin could become available if things continue to stall in Washington. While the Steelers might seem like a potential landing spot, they are already investing heavily in Metcalf. Paying McLaurin even more than Metcalf would be incredibly difficult under the current financial structure. However, if General Manager Omar Khan were somehow able to make it work, it would completely reshape how the rest of the league views Pittsburgh entering the 2025 season. For now, both sides appear to be stuck, and that uncertainty could eventually lead to McLaurin’s name surfacing in trade talks, even if his price is far too high for Pittsburgh to realistically consider. While it’s highly unlikely the Steelers would make another major move at wide receiver, Khan has shown a willingness to get creative with the salary cap, so nothing can ever be completely ruled out. With the right cap maneuvering, there’s always a slim chance something unexpected could happen. Though the idea of the Steelers making McLaurin higher paid than Metcalf certainly sounds very unlikely at this point.
Top Islanders Star Tells Asst. GM, 'You Better Not Trade Me'
The New York Islanders are entering a new era under a revamped front office, and signs point to a potential retool—or even a rebuild. The most telling move came at the NHL Draft in June, when the team traded star defenseman Noah Dobson to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for two first-round picks. It’s a rare move in today’s NHL to deal your top blueliner, and it raised eyebrows across the league. Analysts and fans have wondered if more moves are coming. Since there are several teams looking for quality assets at a reasonable salary cap, it’s a logical question. Is Bo Horvat A Potential Trade Candidate? During an appearance on the Cam and Strick Podcast, newly appointed assistant to the general manager Matt Martin—an Islanders fan favorite and longtime forward—revealed a humorous but telling moment from inside the locker room. Martin, now working closely with the Isles’ new GM, said that Bo Horvat texted him immediately after the front office changes were announced. “You better not trade me,” Horvat reportedly wrote. The comments from Martin suggest that Horvat has no desire to leave the team, even if the Islanders aren’t set to be competitive this coming season. If the team is dumping some of their best talents, he does not want to be among those the organization chooses to sell. Horvat likely didn’t have to worry. He has a full no-trade clause as part of his contract, and even if management were open to asking him to waive it, he could have blocked any deal. It sounds like that would be his intention, so he was getting ahead of things by making sure they knew not to even ask.
Customize Your Newsletter
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
PRIVACY POLICY EDITORIAL POLICY CONTACT US
ABOUT YARDBARKER TERMS OF SERVICE
Use of this website (including any and all parts and
components) constitutes your acceptance of these
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
This site is for entertainment purposes only.
There is no gambling offered on this site.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
