Morning Briefing: Mets Bolster Infield With Signing of Jorge Polanco

Good morning, Mets fans!

After a rough week for the Mets in losing Edwin Diaz and then Pete Alonso, they got some good news on Saturday with the signing of infielder Jorge Polanco, as first reported by Will Sammon of The Athletic. It is a two-year, $40 million deal.

Jeff Passan of ESPN elaborated on the deal in noting that Polanco is expected to play first base and serve as a designated hitter for the Mets.

Latest Mets News

According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the New York Mets and San Diego Padres have had trade discussions; but according to Rosenthal, neither Francisco Lindor or Fernando Tatis have been brought up in those talks.

Per Chase Ford of MiLB Central, the New York Mets signed right-handed pitcher Zach Peek to a minor league deal. He was 11-3 with a 3.63 ERA in 2025.

Hector Gomez of Ministerio Deportes reported that Gilbert Gómez announced on Z Deportes that he will not be participating in his role as an assistant manager in the World Baseball Classic in order to focus on his roles as first base coach and outfield coach for the Mets in 2026. He will report to the team on Feb. 6 or 7. Gomez was set to assist Albert Pujols in the World Series, but will instead assume his new role with the Mets.

Latest MLB News

According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, relief pitcher Kenley Jansen is in agreement with the Detroit Tigers on a one-year contract, pending a physical. He joins Kyle Finnegan as the second relief pitcher to be signed/re-signed by the Tigers this week.

Passan also noted that sources told ESPN that right-handed pitcher Dustin May and the St. Louis Cardinals are in agreement on a free agent contract, pending physical.

Along with his reports of Jansen and May, Passan also posted on X that left-handed relief pitcher Angel Zerpa is being traded back to the Milwaukee Brewers as part of a trade deal that will send Isaac Collins and Nick Mears to the Kansas City Royals.

Per Katie Woo of The Athletic, the Seattle Mariners and San Francisco Giants are the current leaders in the pool of teams being noted as potential trade spots for Brendan Donovan. Sources have told The Athletic that the Cardinals are looking to boost their farm system with young prospects.

Latest on MMO

John Wilson takes a look at Marcus Semien’s home run stats in a statistical spotlight piece.

Robert Colonna discusses the Mets’ signing of infielder Jorge Polanco to a two-year contract.

Eitan Hain takes a dive into first baseman Willson Contreras in a Metsmerized trade profile.

Nick Kalantzopoulos talks about the Mets and Padres’ trade discussions.

On This Date in Mets History

1995: The New York Mets signed the at-the-time American League hits leader Lance Johnson to a two-year deal.

Born on This Date: Shaun Marcum (1981), Greg Goossen (1945), Jerry May (1943).

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