Jorge Polanco

Fan & Media Sentiment

Jorge Polanco enters May as one of the more polarizing figures on a Mets roster that is still searching for its footing at 13-22, and public sentiment around the 32-year-old second baseman is firmly in the red. The narrative driving that skepticism has almost nothing to do with his bat — it centers entirely on his positional transition to first base, a move that has drawn pointed criticism from media and analysts who view the adjustment as a roster gamble rather than a genuine solution at the position. At $20M AAV, the margin for error is thin, and the dominant framing positions Polanco as a question mark rather than a building block, with defensive concerns and adaptation struggles overshadowing whatever early contributions he has made. The disconnect from his A- performance grade is stark and worth noting: by any on-field production measure, Polanco is holding up his end of the bargain, yet that hasn't quieted the noise around his glove or his fit in the lineup. Recent organizational activity — including the additions of Ronny Mauricio at shortstop and Andy Ib at second base — signals a front office actively reshuffling its infield options, which only amplifies questions about where Polanco ultimately slots in the long-term picture. The sentiment needle has ticked upward over the last 30 days, moving from an outright failing mark to a D, which suggests the worst of the panic may have passed — but with the team below .500 and his defensive home still unsettled, the narrative around Polanco remains more anxious than confident heading into the summer.