The Mariners are identified to be in search of upgrades at a number of infield positions this offseason, with shortstop J.P. Crawford standing as their solely locked-in starter. The M’s have sturdy curiosity in bringing again both Justin Turner or Carlos Santana for a second go along with the group at first base, and so they’ve reportedly been exploring their choices at each second base and third base. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic now writes that Seattle’s focus is extra on third base choices than at second base. The M’s presently have in-house choices like Ryan Bliss, Dylan Moore and high prospect Cole Younger at second base.
Because it stands, Moore and up to date DFA acquisition Austin Shenton are probably the most distinguished choices at third base. Moore and fellow infielder Leo Rivas profile higher as utility choices, with Moore particularly representing a possible short-side platoon choice if the M’s add a left-handed bat.
Payroll stands as an apparent impediment for the Mariners as soon as once more. Seattle possession anticipates a rise in 2025, however probably not by a notable quantity. Following the staff’s non-tenders of Josh Rojas, Austin Voth, Sam Haggerty and JT Chargois, Adam Jude of the Seattle Occasions prompt the M’s might have someplace within the neighborhood of $16MM with which to work. There’s certainly some wiggle room there, nevertheless it’s unlikely the Mariners are going to cannonball into the free agent pool with a splash for, say, Alex Bregman or Willy Adames. Even when the funds for such a transfer have been there, president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto prefers to function totally on the commerce market. In 9 years with the Mariners, he’s solely given a multi-year deal to at least one position-player free agent (Mitch Garver at two years and $24MM).
Commerce choices aren’t precisely plentiful, however there are some names identified to be on the block. The Phillies have been buying Alec Bohm round as they appear to alter up their offense. Bohm isn’t an elite bat and has a mixed-bag of defensive outcomes on the sizzling nook, however he’s obtainable and inexpensive sufficient, with a projected $8.1MM wage (courtesy of MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz). Elsewhere within the NL East, former Mets high prospect Brett Baty stands a change of surroundings candidate following the emergence of Mark Vientos. Even when the Mets permit Pete Alonso to stroll in free company and transfer Vientos throughout the diamond, they may look to usher in a higher-profile third baseman.
Nolan Arenado can also be broadly identified to be obtainable, however he’s owed $32MM subsequent season (plus $27MM in 2026 and $15MM in 2027). The Rockies are paying $5MM of that in every of the following two seasons underneath the phrases of the commerce that despatched Arenado from Denver to St. Louis, however that’s nonetheless an enormous contract for a staff that ostensibly has restricted price range house. Speculatively talking, the Mariners and Twins might line up on a deal for a second straight winter. Minnesota has a crowded infield combine and will take into account shifting Jose Miranda with each Brooks Lee and Royce Lewis as choices to flank shortstop Carlos Correa. Then once more, Miranda might simply transfer throughout the diamond to first base, so it’s not as if he’s missing a transparent alternative in Minneapolis. The Marlins would most likely hear on Jake Burger, however he’s the kind of low-OBP, strikeout-prone slugger from whom the Mariners have been making an attempt to maneuver away in current seasons.
The Mariners’ choices on the commerce market would certainly open up in the event that they have been prepared to deal from their rotation. Nevertheless, at season’s finish, Dipoto not solely indicated that shifting a controllable starter wasn’t Plan A or B for the Mariners — he likened the notion to “Plan Z” (hyperlink through MLB.com’s Daniel Kramer).
Dipoto and GM Justin Hollander have each spoken overtly about their fondness for the Mariners’ glorious younger rotation and each expressed reluctance to maneuver on from the group. Nonetheless, if Seattle have been to make any of Logan Gilbert, George Kirby, Bryce Miller or Bryan Woo obtainable, they’d maybe be in place to hunt equally interesting younger hitters (e.g. Baltimore’s Jordan Westburg or Coby Mayo).
One level value contemplating is that the Mariners’ depth past the present rotation isn’t as deep as some would possibly suppose. Former No. 6 total choose Emerson Hancock’s inventory is down significantly, and he’s seen largely as a back-end starter. Righty Taylor Dollard has solely pitched 8 1/3 innings over the previous two seasons. Logan Evans, a Twelfth-rounder in 2023, considerably boosted his inventory with an enormous 2024 however nonetheless hasn’t pitched above Double-A. It’s an identical story with 2021 third-rounder Michael Morales. The Mariners already know they’re not more likely to be as lucky with pitcher well being as they have been in 2024, and buying and selling one of many present arms solely additional creates the potential to overexpose a few of these inexperienced arms within the occasion of an harm within the large league rotation.
