The New York Mets signed infielder Jorge Polanco to a $40 million, two-year contract with first base expected to be his primary position. Polanco addressed his new role during a video news conference on Monday.

Polanco has one pitch of experience at first base but offered his services to teams at multiple infield positions during free agency. He figures to replace Pete Alonso, who signed a $155 million, five-year contract with the Baltimore Orioles.

The 32-year-old switch-hitter played primarily shortstop through 2020 and second base from 2020-24. He started mostly at designated hitter for the Seattle Mariners last season.

His only action at first base came when the San Francisco Giants' Wilmer Flores lined a single toward right field in the ninth inning of a tied game last April 6. The hit went too far toward second base for Polanco to reach and gave the Giants a walk-off victory.

"I would think so," Polanco said through a translator when asked if first base would be his primary position. "They told me that I'd be playing a good amount of first base, but that I could also be bouncing around."

Mariners bench coach Manny Acta and infield coach Perry Hill approached Polanco this year about preparing for time at first base. Polanco had already discussed the move with his agent before Seattle's coaching staff initiated the conversation.

"It was very easy because I had already spoken to my agent about starting to work out at first and trying to become a more versatile baseball player," Polanco said. "When we approached them, they were essentially approaching us at the same time. So it was real easy and a really seamless transition."

Polanco identified receiving pickoffs as the biggest adjustment required at first base. The positioning differs significantly from middle infield positions.

"That was the toughest transition for me because it's very different from when you're playing in the middle of the infield," he said. "But I think with my experience of playing second, short, third, it allows me to be an athlete and I think that my athleticism will help me while I'm playing first base."

Polanco hit .265 with 26 home runs, 78 RBIs, 30 doubles and an .821 OPS in 138 games for Seattle last season. His performance came in his second year with the Mariners following a decade with Minnesota.

The switch-hitter was an All-Star in 2019 and set career bests in 2022 with 33 home runs and 98 RBIs. He has batted .260 against right-handed pitchers and .270 against left-handed pitchers throughout his career.

Seattle came within one win of reaching the World Series last season. Polanco said he was willing to play multiple infield positions when the Mets expressed interest in his versatility.