How will the Mariners approach the offseason?
Promises of adequate financial resources for the front office have been made and broken before. Will this offseason be different?
Last week, Mariners President of Baseball Operations Jerry Dipoto met with members of the media, including Adam Jude of the Seattle Times, to discuss the 2025 campaign and the upcoming offseason. During the scrum, Dipoto suggested his team should have a higher payroll heading into next season.
“I would say similar to where we ended the year, as a starting point.” - Jerry Dipoto, referring to the 2026 payroll.
Greater financial wherewithal this winter would be a positive development for the Mariners. However, the fan base has previously witnessed ownership reverse course a month or two into the offseason after assuring the masses that the front office would have the necessary resources to improve the roster. Therefore, skepticism regarding spending will persist until the team’s actions align with the publicly stated expectations set by ownership and management.
That said, I suspect Seattle employs one of two roster-building strategies for 2026. The first would be remaining relatively passive over the winter, then go “all-in” just before the deadline.
Then again, reaching the ALCS may have inspired ownership to support the larger beginning budget Dipoto referred to. Should this happen, a more ambitious offseason approach could ensue.
My rationale for suggesting these two paths is rooted in recent history. To see what I mean, let’s walk through the front office’s winter and in-season acquisitions over the past five years. Please take note of a shift in strategy that commenced during the 2023 campaign and continued through 2025. The most likely reason for the changed approach - money.
2021
The Mariners were active during the offseason following a COVID-shortened 2020. Not a surprise considering Dipoto was considered one of baseball’s most aggressive and innovative dealmakers. Furthermore, the organization was attempting to emerge from its first-ever rebuild.
Offseason moves: Upgrading the pitching staff was a priority. Former big-league starter Chris Flexen was signed after pitching in Korea for a year, while old friend James Paxton also returned. A batch of new relievers delivered mixed results.
Will Vest was acquired from the Tigers via the rule 5 draft, although he was returned to Detroit in July.
A trio of veteran relievers also joined the mix. Rafael Montero came over from division rival Texas. Former Angel Keynan Middleton signed as a free agent. So did Ken Giles, who was recovering from Tommy John surgery. It was understood that Giles wouldn’t pitch in 2021.
Héctor Santiago and former Mariner Roenis Elías also joined the team. Santiago pitched well, although he may be best remembered for being the first big league pitcher suspended for a “sticky stuff” violation. Shortly after returning from suspension, the southpaw was disciplined again. This time, 80 games for a PED infraction. Santiago never pitched in MLB again.
The most impactful names added to the bullpen were JT Chargois and Paul Sewald. Chargois delivered solid production, while Sewald became a top-shelf performer. Sewald’s success was a huge source of pride for a Mariners organization that aims to bring out the best in pitchers other clubs had given up on.
In-season transactions: Jake Bauers arrived from Cleveland in June. Bauers didn’t have a productive season. But he did appear in 72 contests at first base and in the outfield.
In the final days of July, a monumentally unpopular deal was brokered. Closer Kendall Graveman and Montero were dealt to the division rival Astros for veteran reliever Joe Smith and 24-year-old infielder Abraham Toro, who had been unable to break into Houston’s loaded lineup.
Dipoto then quickly pivoted, acquiring starter Tyler Anderson from the Pirates for a pair of minor leaguers. He also exchanged Chargois and prospect Austin Shenton to the Rays for established relief arm Diego Castillo.
Kyle Seager became a free agent after 11 years as a Mariner.
MLB debuts: Jarred Kelenic, Logan Gilbert, Cal Raleigh, Jake Fraley, Taylor Trammell, Sam Haggerty, Will Vest.
2022
A three-month lockout affected Seattle’s wheeling and dealing. But the club managed to make meaningful acquisitions before and after the labor standoff.
Offseason moves: In November, second baseman Adam Frazier arrived via a trade with the Padres. Shortly afterwards, the Mariners convinced 2021 AL Cy Young Award winner Robbie Ray to sign with them.
In March, the Mariners landed third baseman Eugenio Suárez and outfielder Jesse Winker by sending Justin Dunn, Jake Fraley, Brandon Williamson, and Connor Phillips to Cincinnati.
In-season transactions: Former Angel Justin Upton was signed in May. Upton’s productivity was suboptimal. But the 16-year veteran was credited for being a positive influence in a young clubhouse before his July release.
Another sage voice arrived in June. A 36-year-old Carlos Santana proved to be a calming presence and a mentor to rookie Julio Rodríguez. The switch-hitter also provided first base insurance, while Ty France recovered from an injury.
In late July, the Mariners pulled off another big deal with the Reds. Frontline starter Luis Castillo was acquired in exchange for prospects Noelvi Marte, Levi Stoudt, Edwin Arroyo, and Andrew Moore.
Days later, three more veterans were added. Lefty reliever Matthew Boyd, catcher Curt Casali, and infielder Jake Lamb.
MLB debuts: Julio Rodríguez, George Kirby, Matt Brash.
2023
After reaching the postseason for the first time in two decades, the Mariners’ most meaningful transactions to improve the roster were made via the trade market.
Offseason moves: The splashiest deal landed Teoscar Hernández with reliever Erik Swanson and minor-league pitcher Adam Macko going to Toronto.
Toro and Winker were dispatched to Milwaukee to get second baseman Kolten Wong. Reliever Justin Topa came over from the Brew Crew in a separate deal. The Mariners also sent 2020 AL Rookie of the Year Kyle Lewis to Arizona for catcher/outfielder Cooper Hummel.
Reliever Tayler Saucedo was acquired from the Mets via waivers.
Several free agents were signed to serve as supporting cast members. Relievers Trevor Gott, outfielder AJ Pollock, infielder Tommy La Stella, and first baseman/designated hitter Mike Ford. Only Ford remained for the entire 2023 campaign. The rest were former Mariners by August.
In-season transactions: In early July, Flexen and Gott were shipped to the Mets for Zach Muckenhirn. Flexen was released three days after the trade, while Muckenhirn never pitched for the Mariners. Just this nerd’s opinion: the deal was all about Seattle moving Flexen’s contract with Gott being the prize New York coveted.
Later that month, the Mariners traded infielder Mason McCoy to the Blue Jays for reliever Trent Thornton. Shortly afterwards, another summer deal would infuriate the fan base.
Sewald was sent to Arizona for infielders Ryan Bliss and Josh Rojas and outfielder Dominic Canzone. This trade also seemed to be financially motivated. Sewald was projected to earn $7.35 million via arbitration in 2024, a pay increase of approximately 55-percent.
In an under-the-radar deal, Eduard Bazardo arrived from Baltimore for minor-league reliever Logan Rinehart.
MLB debuts: Bryce Miller, Bryan Woo, Emerson Hancock, Dominic Canzone (days prior to joining SEA), José Caballero, Cade Marlowe, Ty Adcock, Isaiah Campbell, Prelander Berroa.
2024
The Flexen and Sewald deals signaled a sea state change that prompted a salvo of offseason moves seemingly more focused on reducing payroll than improving the on-field product.
Offseason moves: Suárez ($11.3 million salary) was dispatched to the Diamondbacks in exchange for reliever Carlos Vargas and catcher Seby Zavala.
Next, veteran starter Marco Gonzales ($12.3 million), former top-100 prospect Jarred Kelenic and Evan White ($7 million) were sent to Atlanta for minor leaguer Cole Phillips and reliever Jackson Kowar. Both were recovering from injuries.
The Braves absorbed a portion of Gonzales’ and White’s salaries, quickly flipping each at a discounted price. Essentially, they bought Kelenic by eating payroll and shipping two injured players to Seattle.
Just two years after signing, an injured Ray and the three years and $73 million remaining on his contract were dealt to the Giants. The return was pitcher Anthony DeSclafani and old friend Mitch Haniger. Some may suggest that the money eventually evened out thanks to subsequent moves. However, the Ray trade didn’t upgrade the 2024 roster.
Having said all that, several deals that looked promising on paper were executed. Free agent catcher/designated hitter Mitch Garver signed after helping the Rangers win the 2023 World Series. Outfielder Luke Raley was acquired from the Rays for José Caballero.
The trade with the biggest potential upside brought second baseman Jorge Polanco over from Minnesota in exchange for DeSclafani, Topa, and minor leaguers Darren Bowen and Gabriel Gonzalez. Seattle also shipped reliever Prelander Berroa and outfielder Zach DeLoach to the White Sox for promising reliever Gregory Santos.
Less noteworthy moves included reliever Isaiah Campbell going to Boston for infielder Luis Urías and the signings of pitchers Austin Voth, Jhonathan Díaz, Casey Lawrence, and Ryne Stanek.
In-season transactions: Reliever Mike Baumann and catcher Michael Pérez were acquired in late May - both were gone by the end of July.
Outfielder and former top prospect Víctor Robles was signed as a free agent after being released by the Nationals in early June.
The following month, the Mariners acquired veteran infielder/designated hitter Justin Turner. A few days later, prospects Brody Hopkins and Aidan Smith were dealt for the established bat of Randy Arozarena.
Seattle also attempted to modify the bullpen, sending Stanek to the Mets and acquiring Yimi García from the Blue Jays and Chargois from the Marlins.
MLB debuts: Ryan Bliss, Tyler Locklear, Jonatan Clase, Leo Rivas, Troy Taylor.
2025
The cloud of fiscal uncertainty lingered heading into the offseason. Consequently, the team with a reputation for making lots of trades didn’t make a significant player swap, while free agent signings didn’t inspire the fan base.
Offseason moves: The most impactful addition involved re-upping Polanco, who was a free agent. Aging veteran Donovan Solano and light-hitting Miles Mastrobuoni arrived. Casey Legumina and a returning Gott joined the bullpen mix.
Spring Training was underway when the Mariners signed free agent Rowdy Tellez, who would be their Opening Day first baseman. Tellez was released in June after appearing in 62 games. Gott and Solano were also let go during the season.
Haniger was released in March.
In-season transactions: Once again, the front office was much more aggressive in July than in the winter. First, minor-leaguer Ashton Izzi and Brandyn Garcia were dealt to Arizona for first baseman Josh Naylor. The other Diamondback acquired was Eugenio Suárez in exchange for Locklear and relievers Juan Burgos and Hunter Cranton.
For the bullpen, Caleb Ferguson arrived from Pittsburgh, while free agent Luke Jackson signed in August.
Dylan Moore was released in August.
MLB debuts: Cole Young, Ben Williamson, Logan Evans, Harry Ford.
Now what?
Increased fiscal flexibility could facilitate the retention of pending free agents the Mariners prefer keeping. Suárez, Naylor, Polanco, Ferguson, Jackson, and Garver are projected to reach free agency. Furthermore, a larger initial budget would potentially mean a deeper pool of replacement options for departing players.
Additional funds could also help with potential pay increases for the arbitration-eligible players the team wants on its 2026 roster. Candidates include Arozarena, Gilbert, Kirby, Raley, Saucedo, Thornton, Santos, and Gabe Speier.
It’s worth noting that even if there’s a budget hike, I don’t expect to see a free agent spending spree in Seattle. Instead, the club likely stays the course, relying on the farm system to elevate the club and acquire established MLB talent. We should remember that Raleigh, Rodríguez, Gilbert, Kirby, Brash, Woo, Miller, Hancock, Rivas, and Harry Ford debuted with the team since 2021 and were on the ALCS roster.
Would I rather be watching the Mariners play the Dodgers in the World Series? Sure. But an active and productive offseason would soften the blow of that devastating Game 7 loss and fuel optimism for 2026.
Wouldn’t you agree?
My Oh My…
Learn from the past!
I think Naylor has made it clear that he wants to stay in Seattle.
Now it's up to Seattle to not lowball him. Offer the going market rate. And offer 5 yrs + a vesting year to keep him with Cal and Julio through Cal's contract. There's you position player core. Those three. For SIX years. I dare the Mariners to screw that up.