The Seattle Mariners offseason has been uncharacteristically quiet so far in 2024, leading to much speculation over what the team’s plans might be to improve for 2025.
President of Baseball Operations Jerry Dipoto has historically been eager in the trade market, known as a wheeler and dealer. Last year, the Mariners got the hot stove started early by trading 3B Eugenio Suarez and OF Jarred Kelenic in salary dump trades. In 2022, the Mariners swung an early trade for 2B Kolten Wong, and in 2021 the M’s made an early move for 2B Adam Frazier. Going all the way back to 2018, by this day six years ago, Seattle had already completed blockbuster trades involving James Paxton, Robinson Cano, Jean Segura and Edwin Diaz.
This year however, the team appears to be taking a different approach. Recent comments from General Manager Justin Hollander have shown the team is increasingly reluctant to trade from it’s stacked starting rotation or its growing pool of young talent in the farm system.
The Mariners also won’t be spending much this year in free agency. A recent report from Seattle Times reporter Adam Jude suggested the M’s payroll likely won’t exceed $160 million in 2025, giving the team just about $15 million to work with between this offseason and the trade deadline.
Therein lies the key issue. If the Mariners do not have money to spend in free agency and do not want to engage in trades involving prospects or their top pitchers, how will they expect to improve?
Reportedly, the team is likely to sign 38-year-old Carlos Santana to platoon with Luke Raley at 1B, and will look to spend whatever money is left (likely around $10 million) on a cheap infielder who could platoon between 2B and 3B with utilitymen Dylan Moore, Ryan Bliss and Austin Shenton.
That plan is being touted as a simple and effective, as it would fill their holes in the infield, allow them to stay under budget and allows them to keep their elite starting rotation and strong prospect corps together.
The problem is that the plan is also a laugh in the face of Mariners fans who want to see the team succeed in 2025.
While, technically, Carlos Santana and, say, Nico Hoerner (Cubs 2B) would fill the Mariners holes, is that really an inspiring offseason? Santana will be 39 last season, and has averaged 1.55 Wins Above Replacement (WAR, a stat where a replacement player is worth 0) since the pandemic. Hoerner, who fits the profile the Mariners are interested in for their infield, has a career OPS+ of 100 (a stat where 100 is average).
This is not to say Santana and Hoerner are not good players; they both have a strong skillset and would fit in well with the team. It is to say that if a 38-year old platoon piece and 2B with a career of being the most average hitter in baseball are the only two additions of an offseason, it is not going to convince many fans the team is bought in to winning.
That would still leave Seattle with a 3B platoon of Dylan Moore and Austin Shenton. It still leaves the Mariners stuck with Mitch Haniger and Mitch Garver to handle DH duties, which would effectively be a black hole in the lineup unless one of the Mitches can bounce back from 2024. The Mariners are currently planning to run it back with JP Crawford at SS and Victor Robles in RF, both of whom have been inconsistent in the past.
What is the solution? The Mariners need to quit being so stubborn and be willing to trade from their areas of strength. Good teams trade from their strengths, to strengthen their weaknesses. Do the Mariners need five ace pitchers? Last year, they had the best rotation in baseball, and it still was not enough to overcome the horrendous offense. So perhaps the front office should take notes. Building a strong lineup is important, and if Bryan Woo needs to be the sacrifice, then they should make it happen. All options need to be on the table this offseason to improve the team.
