The Seattle Mariners came within one victory of reaching the 2025 World Series, shaking off a playoff drought that had lasted over two decades. With several significant roster improvements made during the offseason, they stand poised to enter the 2026 campaign as the projected favorites to win the American League West, according to both FanGraphs and Baseball Prospectus.
Key Free Agent Acquisitions Bolster the Roster
The Mariners made headlines by signing several notable free agents this offseason, aiming to strengthen both their offense and bullpen. The most impactful signing was first baseman Josh Naylor, who agreed to a five-year, $92.5 million contract. Rob Refsnyder, an outfielder with strong splits against left-handed pitching, was secured on a one-year deal worth $6.25 million. Catcher Andrew Knizner also joined the club on a one-year, $1 million contract to provide depth behind the plate.
Decisions on Player Options Shape Roster Composition
Seattle made a strategic choice in declining the mutual $12 million option on catcher Mitch Garver, acquiring a $1 million buyout instead. On the pitching side, the Mariners exercised the $7 million club option for right-hander Andres Munoz, ensuring continued stability in the bullpen. Veteran infielder Jorge Polanco opted out of his $8 million player option, leaving the team with roster gaps to address in the middle infield.
Trades and Waiver Moves Provide Versatility and Depth
The Mariners executed a busy trade season, highlighted by the acquisition of versatile infielder/outfielder Brendan Donovan from the St. Louis Cardinals in a three-team deal that also involved the Tampa Bay Rays. Seattle parted with top pitching prospect Jurrangelo Cijntje, outfielder Tai Peete, third baseman Ben Williamson, and a Competitive Balance draft pick as part of that exchange. Other trades included adding left-handed reliever Jose A. Ferrer from the Nationals in exchange for catching prospect Harry Ford, as well as acquiring right-handers Yosver Zulueta and Cooper Criswell, left-hander Josh Simpson, and catcher Jhonny Pereda through a combination of trades and cash deals. Additionally, the Mariners bolstered depth by claiming right-handed pitcher Ryan Loutos off waivers from Washington.
Minor League Signings Add More Organizational Depth
Several seasoned veterans and prospects signed minor league deals with Seattle this winter, including Mitch Garver, Dane Dunning, Connor Joe, Casey Lawrence, Randy Dobnak, Guillo Zuñiga, Patrick Wisdom, Michael Rucker, Jhonathan Diaz, Brian O’Keefe, Jakson Reetz, Will Wilson, and Brennen Davis. These moves enhance the team’s depth chart and provide insurance for injuries or performance slumps at the major league level.
Departures Create Challenges and Open Opportunities
The Mariners saw several contributors leave in free agency or via minor league transactions. Among the notable losses were Eugenio Suarez, Ben Williamson, Harry Ford, Caleb Ferguson, Luke Jackson, Tayler Saucedo, Gregory Santos, Trent Thornton, and Jackson Kowar—who was claimed by the Minnesota Twins. These departures left openings especially at the middle infield positions, underscoring the team’s offseason focus on finding reliable options there.
2025 Season Recap: Strong Offense and Bullpen Highlight Team’s Potential
Despite a starting rotation that faced injury setbacks and ranked only around the middle of the league in ERA, the Mariners excelled with a bullpen that ranked in the top 10 for ERA. Their offense was among the best in several categories, finishing in the top 10 in runs scored, home runs, on-base and slugging percentages, as well as weighted runs created plus (wRC+). Cal Raleigh, the American League MVP runner-up, was a key driver of that surge, complementing a lineup that performed well from top to bottom.
Josh Naylor: A High-Impact Player the Mariners Were Determined to Retain
Seattle’s late-season acquisition of Josh Naylor from the Arizona Diamondbacks proved highly effective. Naylor hit .299/.341/.490 with nine home runs in just 210 plate appearances, immediately becoming a cornerstone of the Mariners’ offense. Intriguingly, he stole 19 bases without being notably fast, an unusual feat that impressed fans beyond Seattle.
Jerry Dipoto, the team’s president of baseball operations, identified re-signing Naylor as the Mariners’ top offseason priority, stating during an MLB Trade Rumors podcast appearance that Naylor was
“as good as anybody that’s played in the last handful of years at hitting in this ballpark.”
True to form, Dipoto moved swiftly to lock Naylor down, finalizing a lucrative five-year deal shortly after the World Series.
Extension Reflects Shift in Mariners’ Free Agent Strategy
Naylor’s contract marks the largest free agent deal for a position player under Dipoto’s tenure, exceeding previous signings like the $24 million guaranteed to Mitch Garver by nearly fourfold. Dipoto has typically leaned more on trades and internal development than free agent spending, highlighting how highly the organization regards Naylor’s abilities and fit.
Middle Infield Questions Persist After Polanco’s Departure
Although the Mariners pursued re-signing veterans Jorge Polanco and Eugenio Suarez, Polanco’s decision to sign a two-year, $40 million deal with the New York Mets left Seattle with holes at second and third base. Efforts to fill these positions included trade discussions targeting veteran utility player Brendan Donovan, star NPB third baseman Kazuma Okamoto, Ketel Marte from the Diamondbacks, and Cubs’ Nico Hoerner, among others.
Brendan Donovan Trade Signals Commitment to Versatile, Quality Defense
On February 2, Seattle finalized a three-team trade to bring Donovan into the fold, sending key pitching and positional prospects plus a draft pick to acquire a multi-positional defender expected to stabilize the middle infield or provide depth on the corners. Donovan’s flexibility allows the Mariners to evaluate prospects Cole Young and Colt Emerson, potentially slotting Emerson at third base or shortstop, while deploying Young at second base. With Donovan capable of covering multiple roles, the team gains tactical options both in the infield and outfield.
At a manageable salary of $5.8 million for 2026 and control through 2027, Donovan offers financial flexibility. Discussions for a longer-term extension could follow, as his market value aligns with recent deals for similar players like Tommy Edman and Ryan McMahon, who netted about $70 million over five years combined.
Donovan’s Role Expected to Bolster Mariners’ Offensive Identity
Donovan brings a low-strikeout, high-contact approach that contrasts with the team’s previous tendencies toward an all-or-nothing offensive style. Alongside Naylor’s similar profile, he is expected to anchor the top of Seattle’s lineup, adding consistency and depth to a batting order that produced strong results last season.
Strengthening the Bullpen with Left-Handed Arms and Depth
Following the Naylor signing, the Mariners prioritized adding reliable left-handed bullpen options, trading for Nationals reliever Jose A. Ferrer. This move surprised some fans due to the price—top catching prospect Harry Ford—but with Cal Raleigh entrenched as the starting catcher, Ford’s pathway to playing time was limited.
Ferrer, despite a 4.15 ERA in 2024-25 while pitching behind a weak defense, possesses impressive underlying metrics. His sinker, averaging nearly 98 mph, induced ground balls at a rate among the best in the majors. Complementing this are improved strikeout rates and strong control, making him a candidate for a breakout season in Seattle. Ferrer is under team control for four more years and has two option years available, enhancing bullpen flexibility when paired with anchors Andres Munoz and Matt Brash.
Additional Roster Moves Address Bench and Depth Concerns
Beyond headline acquisitions, the Mariners signed Rob Refsnyder, whose career numbers against left-handed pitching give the manager a valuable platoon option alongside left-handed hitter Dominic Canzone, who showed promising power against right-handers last season. Moreover, the team added Andrew Knizner as a backup catcher at minimal financial risk, reflecting a focus on catching depth alongside re-signed minor league veteran Mitch Garver and newly acquired Jhonny Pereda.
Expanding Bullpen Depth with Youth and Optionable Arms
Recognizing the need for organizational depth, Seattle obtained multiple young, optionable pitchers including Yosver Zulueta, Josh Simpson, Cole Wilcox, Alex Hoppe, Robinson Ortiz, and waiver claim Ryan Loutos. These additions offer insurance for injuries or underperformance in a bullpen that currently relies heavily on a limited number of optionable relievers. The club may make further moves to resolve roster flexibility ahead of spring training.
Rotation Depth Questioned After Significant Injury
The Mariners boast a top-tier starting rotation featuring Logan Gilbert, Bryan Woo, George Kirby, Luis Castillo, and Bryce Miller. However, the loss of sixth starter Logan Evans to season-ending UCL surgery exposes a lack of depth behind the frontline five. Remaining rotation candidates include swingman Cooper Criswell, struggling former prospect Emerson Hancock, and veteran Dane Dunning. The organization may seek to add a low-cost or non-roster veteran starter but likely without pursuing top-tier names given the current roster composition.
Seattle Enters 2026 with High Expectations Amid Uncertainties
The Mariners’ offseason is largely complete, with key acquisitions like Josh Naylor, Brendan Donovan, and Jose A. Ferrer reshaping the core around a potent offense and improved bullpen. Depth additions and roster flexibility enhancements further insulate the team against the rigors of a long season. Entering 2026, Seattle is widely viewed as a strong contender to win the AL West, carrying momentum from their strong finish in 2025 and with hopes that healthier starting pitching will raise their profile as an American League favorite.
Public Opinion Reflects Mixed but Optimistic Views of the Offseason
Among fans who participated in a recent poll grading the Mariners’ offseason, 54% assigned a “B” grade, 25% rated it an “A,” while 17% gave a “C.” Lower grades such as “D” and “F” accounted for 4% combined, indicating some skepticism despite overall positive sentiment toward the moves made.
