Mets Pivot to Polanco Post-Alonso: MLB Moves Heat Up

Mets Make a Polanco Pivot, but It's Not the Whole Story

In a move that raised some eyebrows and sparked a few sighs across Queens, the Mets signed Jorge Polanco to a two-year, $40 million deal. While Polanco is no Pete Alonso when it comes to power, he's a steady bat and a respected clubhouse presence. He’s also likely to provide more consistent defense at first base, an area where Alonso’s glove has always been more question mark than exclamation point.

This isn't the kind of blockbuster that lights up the back pages, but it’s a calculated, money-conscious move. The Mets may be repurposing some of their would-be Alonso money to make other additions. There’s still time in the offseason, and fans should expect more moves to come. Polanco had a sneaky-strong 2023, showing real gains in exit velocity and swing mechanics. The Mets are betting that his offensive uptick is real — and if it is, this deal could age well.

Blue Jays and Dodgers Build Bullpen Beasts

Tyler Rogers is crawling his way to Toronto. The submarine-style righty joins a Blue Jays bullpen that’s quietly become one of the best in the league. With Rogers, Erik Swanson, Jordan Romano, and Yimi Garcia, the Jays are building a bullpen octopus — arms coming at you from every angle. It’s not just effective; it’s downright fun to watch. The Jays are showing ambition after a gutting postseason exit, and their moves show they’re fixing what failed them most: the bullpen.

Meanwhile, the Dodgers, fresh off a World Series title, aren’t resting on their laurels either. They’ve also made upgrades to their pen and now project to have the best relief corps in baseball. After last year’s late-inning disasters, both teams seem determined not to let history repeat itself.

And let’s not forget Kenley Jansen, who signed a one-year, $11 million deal with the Tigers. Jansen may not be the flamethrower of old, but with his funky delivery and devilish cutter, he’s still one of the toughest at-bats in baseball. He’s sitting at 476 career saves and chasing the big 500. The Tigers may have grabbed themselves a future Hall of Famer at a bargain price.

Twins Bet on Bell (Again)

Josh Bell is the latest addition to the Minnesota Twins, signing for a modest $5.5 million. Bell has been traded more times than a deck of cards, and while his recent numbers haven’t popped, teams keep giving him chances. Why? Maybe it’s the switch-hitting potential. Maybe it’s the clubhouse vibes. Or maybe he’s just a really good hang.

The Twins aren't breaking the bank, but they do project surprisingly well for 2024. Bell made some swing tweaks last year, and while the statistical payoff wasn’t huge, there’s always hope he finds lightning in a bottle. At this price, it's a low-risk, medium-reward move for Minnesota.

Diamondbacks Bring Back an Old Friend

Merrill Kelly is back in the desert after a brief rental stint with the Rangers. The D-backs re-signed the reliable righty to the same two-year, $40 million deal Polanco got. Kelly doesn’t light up radar guns, but he’s crafty, commands a deep arsenal, and just flat-out knows how to pitch. With Zac Gallen gone and Corbin Carroll recovering, Arizona needed an anchor. Kelly knows the team, likes the city, and gives them a solid arm as they re-tool and figure out which direction they're headed.

This signing also hints that trade talks involving Ketel Marte may not be going anywhere fast. The D-backs were reportedly shopping Marte for big-league-ready pitching, but the Kelly deal suggests they’re hedging those bets. Arizona’s in a “liminal space” (for the vocabulary lovers out there) between contending and rebuilding — and Kelly gives them flexibility either way.

Braves Bullpen Gets a Boost

The Braves added Robert Suarez to a growing bullpen that already includes Rysel Iglesias. Suarez signed a three-year, $45 million deal that raised some eyebrows given his age (35), but the man was nails last year: 40 saves, sub-3.00 ERA, and a walk rate that finally chilled out. Atlanta’s hoping for a traditional 8th-9th inning combo, but really, Suarez and Iglesias can close on any given night.

The Braves still need a shortstop (paging Corey Seager?), but their pitching staff is shaping up nicely. With Dylan Lee and Aaron Bummer from the left side, plus their new right-handed duo, this group looks ready to take on the NL East arms race.

Minor League Tech Tightens Up

MLB is cracking down on tech in the minors, standardizing access to tools like Hawkeye across all affiliates. The goal? Level the playing field. Some small-market teams had been using tech smarts to punch above their weight, but now the league wants uniformity. While this may help balance things in theory, it could also curb innovation. Teams that were ahead of the curve in data and development might feel handcuffed.

This move is part of MLB’s broader effort to ensure competitive balance — but critics argue it actually benefits the big spenders. After all, if everyone has the same tools, it’s the teams with the deepest pockets that can still outspend the rest on talent and resources.

Takeaways

• The Mets’ signing of Jorge Polanco fills a gap but doesn’t close the book on their offseason. More moves are likely coming.
• The Blue Jays and Dodgers are building elite bullpens, with Rogers and others bringing unique arm angles and experience.
• Josh Bell is back, Merrill Kelly is back, and Kenley Jansen just keeps going — all solid, if not splashy, moves.
• The Braves are quietly stacking arms, with Robert Suarez joining the bullpen party. They're still in the market for a shortstop.
• MLB's tech crackdown in the minors may flatten the playing field, but at the cost of creativity and innovation.

As the stove stays hot and rosters reshape, one thing is clear: good teams aren’t standing still. And in a league where every edge counts — whether it’s arm angle, clubhouse vibes, or a sneaky swing tweak — winter moves make the summer difference.