The Mariners are once again looking to upgrade their offense this winter after 2024’s underwhelming results at the plate squandered a terrific season from their pitching staff. Unsurprisingly, general manager Justin Hollander tells Jon Morosi of MLB.com that the M’s view second base as a priority this offseason. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic adds that the M’s would also like to add at first base. Ideally, Seattle would add one bat to help out at second or third base — with Josh Rojas and Dylan Moore a potential platoon at the other spot — and another at first base. Hollander downplayed the idea of adding to the outfield, telling FanSided’s Robert Murray that between Randy Arozarena in left, Julio Rodriguez in center, Victor Robles in right and Luke Raley as a corner outfield/first base/DH option, the Mariners feel they have potential for a “pretty high-end outfield.”
With the offseason just days old, there are of course virtually limitless options to explore via free agency and trade. Morosi reports that Seattle is among the teams to have evaluated Hyeseong Kim, the star second baseman of the Korea Baseball Organization’s Kiwoom Heroes. Kim, 25, is scheduled to be posted for MLB clubs to bid on this winter. Rosenthal lists a reunion with Justin Turner as something Seattle could pursue. He cautions against the likelihood of the Mariners spending to the levels necessary to add longtime division rival Alex Bregman or (to a lesser extent) first baseman Christian Walker.
Kim, 26 in January, hit .326/.383/.458 with 11 home runs, 30 steals, an 8.3% walk rate and just a 10.9% strikeout rate for the Heroes this past season. He’s been a plus hitter three straight seasons in the KBO but is more of a contact-, speed- and defense-oriented player, as he’s not considered to have much home run pop. This past season’s 11 round-trippers were a career-high. Turner, of course, finished out the 2024 season in Seattle after coming over from the Blue Jays in a trade. He batted .264/.363/.403 in 190 plate appearances as a Mariner. His overall .259/.354/.383 slash is a ways from peak levels, and Turner will turn 40 later this month. That said, he was still a productive big league hitter this past season.
The Mariners’ expected focus on infield bats — and their flexibility to look at multiple positions — was laid out in our Mariners Offseason Outlook. As noted in that piece a few weeks back, Kim and Gleyber Torres are two particularly interesting options at second base, and both are likely to be relatively affordable. Former Padres shortstop Ha-Seong Kim could technically be a fit at second or third base, but he’s likely to miss the beginning of the season following his recent shoulder surgery and derives a good bit of his value from his plus glovework. He’d be a less-than-ideal fit if the goal is to bolster the offense from day one.
Meanwhile, signing Bregman or Willy Adames (perhaps with eye toward moving him to third base) would represent a major philosophical departure from the Mariners’ past mode of operation. The M’s have only given out one multi-year deal to a free agent position player under president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto — that being last winter’s two-year, $24MM pact to Mitch Garver. Rosenthal suggests that signing a $100MM+ deal could be outside the team’s budget, but even beyond that, it’s simply not how Dipoto has historically operated.
The trade market could present various alternatives. The Rays will likely listen to offers on Yandy Diaz, making him one speculative fit at first base. He’d align well with Seattle’s desire to reduce their MLB-worst strikeout rate and is slated to earn $10MM next year with a $12MM club option for 2026. Rays second baseman Brandon Lowe, owed $10.5MM with an $11.5MM club option for 2026, is another on-paper fit. He wouldn’t reduce the team’s strikeout rate, but he’s a potential impact bat with multiple years of club control. Cleveland could listen to offers on slugging first baseman Josh Naylor.
However things play out, the M’s will be looking to once again redraw an offense that has struggled to make contact at one of the most glaring rates in the league. In addition to tying the Rockies with an MLB-high 26.8% strikeout rate, Mariners hitters had the league’s third-lowest overall contact rate (74%) and were tied for MLB’s second-worst contact rate on swings at pitches within the strike zone (82.9%). The Seattle lineup actually chased pitches off the plate at the fourth-lowest rate in MLB … but their contact rate on those swings was still the third-worst.
This is something I’ve talked about a lot, along with my colleagues. Feel free to take a look and weigh in…
hardballviahardcore.blogspot.com/2024/10/deprecati…
Thanks, Stevil for posting that link, I enjoyed reading that and will now keep tabs on that website.
Thanks! It’s a humble blog, but we try to be rational and entertaining.
Entertaining and Creative!
Slick looking blog, enjoyed the Halloween piece. Will be spending more time there. Thanks for sharing…
Luis Arraez is available. Call Preller.
Fan – I had the exact same thought! Although I’d like to attach, after he signs Adames!
Gorman from the Cardinals, if he ever hits the baseball again.
Go get a Rockie. Rodgers is mostly glove but gets on base well with occasional power. McMahon would slide in very nicely at 3rd or 2nd. Few years of below market years left on his deal. Neither would cost a lot.
Problem is, Rockies don’t trade guys look at the past few seasons, they cling into their players.
I would hope they target fielders with higher ceilings. Rodgers is especially worrisome given the injury history, poor baserunning and notable home/road splits.
Yeah but basically free to acquire, one year cheap contract, GG defense, and 3rd overall draft cred.
Well, they have that defense already with Rojas and Moore.
Let Jerry cook
There’s a lot of cooking to do for sure. The infield needs to be completely re-imagined.
So, what they’re saying is they’re moving Soto to the infield? Interesting…
DH is kind of close to the infield.
If the M’s end up with less than Hye-Seung Kim and Yandy Diaz for 2B and 1B, it’ll be a disaster. If they ended up with those two, it’d be OK although their lineup would skew heavily right handed in its impact bats. Ideally, they go a bit bigger at one of the two spots (e.g. Donovan at 2B or Walker at 1B).
I would welcome any of those names. But Kim will probably stay in SD or go somewhere as a SS and Walker, who will be 34 next season, will presumably play for a team better poised to contend (and get a fairly high AAV in the process).
We’ve talked about this before I think we’re more likely to see Raley in a platoon at 1B. But since it’s Dipoto, we can expect the unexpected.
@Stevil- DH mentioned Hyeseong Kim, not Ha-Seong Kim. Two different players, not a typo! I would like either Kim a lot.
Damn my poor eyesight (and poor proof-reading!).
Thanks
I’m not too high on the unproven Kim and I’d be surprised if Seattle spends what little they have on a question mark like that, but I haven’t studied him much at all.
No problem! Before I was aware of the younger Kim, I thought someone had simply misspelled the elder Kim’s name, so I totally understand how it can happen. The names are awfully close.
Just having Walker on the team would make M’s poised to contend. Only missed out of the tournament by one win. Mariners are as poised to contend as anybody, all they need is to scrape out a Win here, add a Win there. Santos/Brash healthy all season would be chillax and maybe a couple wins on their own.
I like Walker, don’t get me wrong. I ate a little crow years ago when Arizona still had Goldy, thinking he (Walker) was a prime target of Dipoto.
But I don’t think Seattle’s well-poised for contention. If they land a solid FA bat, they’ll likely have to sell the player on whatever plan they come up with, or prove their intent beforehand with other moves.
Same goes for my top target, Joc Pederson.
Stevil what do you think of Gleyber for second base? I don’t necessarily want him but somebody has to play there (liked Brandon Lowe for a long time but likely too injury prone at this point.) (Or take time machine backwards and keep Ketel Marte instead of trading him.) (latter point probably not feasible though due to time/space continuum limitations.)
I don’t think he’s a great fit. He hasn’t hit well at T-Mobile and I think the base running would be a real problem for a Mariner team that has had it’s issues on the base paths.
Lowe had been a resident of the HVH lists for years. We even had him as a deadline target, but given the injury history, 2025 salary, and poor finish to 2024, we went in another direction., so we had the same thought as you.
There are a number of potential fits, but availability is a real issue. Boston will likely be fierce competitors for an upgrade at the keystone, along with NY and SF, maybe even Philly and Atlanta.
Prices will probably be high via trade.
Take a flyer on Orioles Mouncastle?
His production has regressed but change of scenery getting away from the newer OPACY lf wall dimensions may do the trick. Cheap, younger and plenty of league level experience; Baltimore sends him and a top 30 prospect for one of the M’s SPs.
He hasn’t hit, at least not for power, in the AL West. If a first baseman doesn’t represent a clear upgrade over Raley, a trade isn’t going to make much sense.
I don’t think Seattle is going to trade any of their starters, but if they were willing, they’d probably want a better hitter, a top prospect who’s MLB-ready, and maybe even an additional piece.
Mountcastle might make more sense for a team like Arizona or Minnesota.
Unless it’s Louis Castillo, hard pass. The 4 young starters are too valuable to lose.
Like “…like Arizona or Minnesota”. If Bryant goes to DH starter, maybe Colorado too?
I guess it depends on what they intend to do with Toglia as well.
I’d love to see Gleyber Torres and either Naylor or Yandy at 1B and try to swing a deal for Bohm…I really can’t stomach a platoon of Rojas and Moore at 3rd…You’re up Jerry let’s do this!!!
The Hal Cashman platoon absolutely broke Gleyber years ago. While their stupid moves affected him, it got so out of control when they had to play him at SS when one SS got injured and they hadn’t (and later didn’t) acquire a back-up. He took one – or 5 billion – for the team a number of times, playing a position he couldn’t play. Then getting reamed out by the classless, vile Yankee fans to a point the guy was clearly miserable and screwing up on the field.
Still only 27 and a veteran. It will be interesting to see what happens if he gets with a professional organization that puts him at 2B and leaves him alone. Seattle is surely a possibility.
NO MORE PLATOONS! When was the last time a platoon actually worked in Seattle?
Torres and Naylor/Yandy would be a good start.
Go get 40 year old second baseman Robinson Cano from the Mexican League to pair with 40 year old Justin Turner at first base. Boom Baby.
While you’re at it bring Edgar out of retirement to be the DH / Hitting Coach…
He retired because his eyesight was failing him.
Maybe sign Moncada to a cheap deal to play 3rd and have him as a platoon instead of Rojas…
Moncada is a walking injury risk just waiting to pull an adductor strain at the slightest provocation.
With budget limitations, they’ll probably have to gamble on a bounce-back candidate or two, unless they’re willing to deal one or two of their best prospects.
Regardless, they should have a backup option.
Moncada can/could play second as well. He’ll likely cost less than Rojas, though I would imagine his contract will have incentives.
Duh
They can have Gleyber. He’ll give you above average offense with below average defense and head scratching baserunning.
Hey Justin. If you’re going the trade route to get a proven 2b or 1b league level hitter, who are you trading?
I love Nico Hoerner but it seems like Shaw is a legit replacement for him.
Probably an uneven trade or one to get hung up on
Nico Hoerner
Alexander Canario
Kohl Franklin
For
One of George Kirby / Logan Gilbert.
Probably would take more but Nico can play 2B or SS. Canario can play all 3 OF Spots, Franklin is a decent pitcher who could probably start if needed.
I don’t think Seattle is going to trade any of their 6 legitimate starters, but if they were willing, the conversation would probably start with Shaw.
They definitely wouldn’t do that. Which is why it wasn’t a serious trade proposal. And also why I said it was a trade proposal that would probably get the cubs hung up on. I don’t think Shaw is going anywhere though
Yeah, I got it, but a lot of people really do think Seattle will trade a starter, and for what it’s worth, I don’t think many Seattle fans know how great Shaw is.
If they do, I doubt Kirby, Gilbert, Miller or Woo are moved.
Number 1 & 6 (Castillo & Hancock). Not the other 4.
Lol yeah that’s a ludicrous trade on multiple levels. If the trade one of Kirby/Gilbert the return would have to be monumental
Nope. The only starting pitcher the M’s would consider trading is Castillo. The other 4 are too expensive to replace.
Realistically, I’d like to see the M’s acquire Naylor or re-sign Turner for 1B and get creative to fill 2B or 3B. I’m fine with Moore playing a solid amount around the IF. I think he’s underrated. Always an above average bat and can play 7 positions to varying degrees.
I’d be comfortable with Moore moving around, and I think they want to keep him flexible to do exactly that (not commit him to a platoon).
But I would guess that they’re open to a number of different plans, depending on the best players (and price to acquire) they can get.
I don’t think a regular first baseman is a priority, but they probably haven’t ruled that out (and shouldn’t).
I agree with a lot of this. I would love to see Naylor or Diaz in a Mariner uniform and in the Mariners line-up in 2025. I think that 3b, as a power bat position, is a bigger need than 2b but there is not a lot of options at 3b it seems. As much as anything though, I really want to see them spend some money or trade collateral on a “lights out” end of the bullpen reliever to go with Munoz. Ryan Hesley, Jhoan Duran, Griffin Jax, Devin Williams, Jeff Hoffman, and Tanner Scott could are all available through free agency or trade it seems. Get one, please.
Tanner Scott was on wish-list for the last 3 years. But I’ve come to expect more experimental relievers to start the season with.
I’m really hoping for at least two, proven (and consistent) hitters. I know they don’t likely have to resources (or guts!) to do more than that, so that’s ultimately what I want to see the most.
Yet another offseason where 2nd base is a priority, and another offseason of considering platoons at multiple positions. I just don’t believe in the Dipoto regime anymore. There’s too much evidence.
Whose Fabio?
He’s a short-stop… he’s a short-stop from Seattle.
Just throwing this out there for something to chew on: Logan Gilbert for Jarren Duran, straight-up.
George Kirby instead, and yes, I’m in. I just think Gilbert is far more likely to sign an extension in Seattle. I could be wrong though.
You’re right Chester, and I can easily visualize Kirby in a RS uniform and being their best starting pitcher since peak Sale.
How about Kirby Young Raley and Evans for Duran and Casas
Hard no.
Ok they put Marcelo Mayer in the deal we give them Crawford back
Young controllable pitching (Gilbert or Kirby) is worth more than Duran.
How about Robles Julio Diaz/Naylor (either one) Cal Arozarena Bohm Torres Raley/Turner DH platoon and Crawford. Thoughts? Is it realistic? Moncada Moore and Haniger on the bench
They don[t likely have the dough for that. They really need to clear some salary.
I just don’t understand why they don’t have the money they seem to be making it hand over fist….
I should rephrase that…
The front office won’t likely be given the dough for that.
You’re looking at 45m+ for those incoming names while also paying Haniger and Garver.
That’s probably around top 12 of the league salary obligation wise and they would only have to be stuck with the Haniger and Garver contracts for 1 year so I would think they could handle that especially if they are getting 35000 fans a game but I’m just an idiot 50 year fan what do I know….Winning usually pays the bills
You’re not an ‘idiot fan’, you’re exactly the reason a team exists. This isn’t their money, it’s our money. We’re the ones who do most of the spending. They owe us.
And you’re right about winning paying the bills.
If it makes you feel any better, I really think we’ll see Haniger and Garver moved, somehow.. It’s not just the salaries, it’s what they offer. You can’t really justify 12m for a backup catcher who only hits LHPs, and Haniger….even less.
Thanks for the support Stevil I’m just beyond fed up with this organization and I’m tired of saying prospects and wait till next year..Will be very very interesting to see if they listen to the fan base and make some serious moves beyond reclamation projects and bounce back candidates
I hear ya.
They can’t afford to wait for prospects. I don’t think Young or Ford are as close as other fans seem to think they are, and even if they were able to debut this year, it’s unlikely they would hit the ground running and produce at a level that would give Seattle an edge. It’s more likely they’ll need 2-3 years to settle in.
So, yeah, I really think they need to be extremely proactive to get the most from this core while they still can.
Banking profit is ownerships M.O.
Robbie Ray
5/$115 million
Was he signed by DiPoto?
I sure thought so.
Steve was specifically citing position players signed. Garver is indeed the largest contract via free agency.
I’m not sure if anyone from a small, hitter-friendly ballpark is the right answer. Ex-Rockies, Yankees, and Reds hitters are sometimes overmatched. Better to get speedy, on-base types for 2B than a thumper who probably won’t thump very much at T-Mobile. Either or both of the two Kims will do nicely, and with Polanco’s contract off the books, that’s completely possible. Until Locklear is ready, a guy like Santana or Turner would be fine at first, with Raley playing there 2-3x per week. 3rd base platoons are like NFL QBs, if you have 2, you don’t have any. Just put the .200 hitting Gold Glove there (DMo) until someone great comes along, and let Rojas be the supersub.
It’s a very fair point about targeting players that benefit rom specific home ballparks (and I’d add specific divisions), but I don’t think they can, nor should, target one specific type of hitting profile.
If they bring back Turner, and bring in a Kim, but play Raley less, would anything really change for the better? I don’t think it’s nearly enough.
I think they will want Raley’s bat in the lineup regularly against RHPs, whether it’s at first base, an outfield corner, or even DH. But they really need proven, consistent, star hitters. They might get away with Santana of Turner to tighten up DH/1B, but they still need those bigger bats.
And not to be overlooked, the bullpen needs a shakeup. Though they should have Santos and Brash back (Brash likely some time in June), there’s a need for 2-4 new relievers and at least one will need to have options.
Seattle has a lot of work to do.
I’m with you but history has me feeling a little fatalistic about this ownership group. Board isn’t wrong when he says that Soto turns your team into a winning club, but the M’s seem to prioritize profits over World Series championships. So will they spend money on the big bats they need? Maybe if they’re past their prime. This is a club that should be adding guys like Alonso, Tanner Scott, AND Bregman, but they won’t put themselves in the running for any of them. Which is why a starving person will eat a bologna sandwich like the two Kims and a 41 year old Justin Turner. Steak is on the menu, but the cost is too high, it would seem.
You’re completely right and thanks for the reply. I just don’t see them pulling the trigger on a big bat deal.
The Mariners need to go all in on Sasaki. With our japanese player history we should be very appealing to him and then we have other pitching to trade for bats.
Japanese fans are all about the Dodgers. Roki is going to the Dodgers.
Mariners need that stat that is so denigrated by fans these day, batting average. In such a pitchers park, you need to chase singles and doubles more than homers. You need guys that can get on base, and guys that can put the ball in play, and they’ve sucked at that. Go get Arraez.
I was calling for Arraez before he even got traded to san diego.. I think Jerry’s gonna go after that Korean second baseman. He can get him pretty cheap and that’s right up his alley
You’re right, Victor Robles might regress a little in 2025 but he showed us exactly what a singles and Dbls hitter looks like in SEA. Pitching is so utterly dominant right now with hitters BA’s OBP’s and Slg % at an all time low, I think we’re going to see a shift in players approaches at the plate. Not all players obviously but I think you’ll see more hitters prioritizing OBP over SLG% by sacrificing power for finding holes in the defense. It’s just so hard for current day hitters to lift the ball over the OFers heads. I think we’ll see more and more FO’s across MLB value hitters like Arraez, Robles, and Kwan of hitters.