The Mariners finished the 2025 season with a payroll within the range of around $165.2MM (as per calculations from Cot’s Baseball Contracts) to $166.2MM (according to RosterResource). Either of these projections stand as the largest payroll figure in franchise history, topping the roughly $161.8MM that Cot’s estimated as Seattle’s season-ending budget for its 40-man roster in 2018.
It looks like the club will keep spending at at least this higher level in 2026, as president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto told the Seattle Times’ Adam Jude and other reporters at the season wrap-up press conference on Thursday. When asked what the Mariners’ payroll would be for next season, Dipoto said “I would say similar to where we ended the year, as a starting point,” with the potential to boost spending during the season for trade deadline additions.
This is exactly what the M’s did at this past deadline, landing Josh Naylor and Eugenio Suarez in separate trades with the Diamondbacks and also bringing in left-hander Caleb Ferguson from the Pirates. These swaps added roughly $9.5MM to Seattle’s payroll but the money was clearly worth it. Naylor went nuclear during the remainder of the regular season and through the playoffs, Ferguson pitched well in the regular season, and Suarez was a little more inconsistent but had some big postseason moments (like his two homers in Game 5 of the ALCS).
The deadline spending was a notable step forward for a team that has largely kept its spending in check for the last two offseasons, owing largely to uncertainty over TV broadcasting rights. Dipoto has long maintained that ownership would increase payroll as the team got deeper into regular contention, and while this wasn’t exactly the case following the Mariners’ playoff appearance in 2022, upper management did indeed step forward to approve a larger budget this summer.
“This was always the goal, to methodically build toward what we were doing,” Dipoto said. “And I’m comfortable that the resources that we’re given, we’re going to have every ability to go out and put together a championship-quality team. And like we have in recent years, when we get into the right position, I’m certain that we will be aggressive in doing the next thing.”
In terms of money on the Mariners’ books for 2026, RosterResource projects the team at slightly under $132MM in payroll, and Cot’s with a slightly higher total of roughly $132.4MM. This would seemingly leave about $34MM in payroll capacity for Dipoto and GM Justin Hollander to work with this winter, and of course some more money could be freed up by non-tenders or trades.
Dipoto has stated multiple times that the M’s would love to re-sign Naylor in free agency, so assuming that happens, Naylor alone will take up a significant portion of available payroll space. With Naylor as the stated top priority, the perception is that Suarez likely won’t be retained, while Jorge Polanco (who is expected to reject his player option and re-enter free agency) is a bit more of a 50-50 proposition. Chances are that Seattle will focus its energies on Naylor first and then turn to Polanco, or potentially to other first base options should Naylor sign elsewhere.
As always, expect plenty of trade speculation about the possibility of the Mariners trading from their rotation depth. The cost of keeping the starting five together is on the rise, as Logan Gilbert and George Kirby are due significant arbitration raises and Bryce Miller is now arb-eligible for the first time. Dipoto wasn’t as adamant about not trading starting pitching as he was last winter, but it is fair to assume that it would take a huge offer to get the M’s to even consider moving any of their top five starters.
If Polanco and Suarez leave, Naylor is retained, and virtually everyone else is brought back (10 arb. eligible players is a lot), the M’s will probably be at 152-5 or thereabouts. It doesn’t leave room for a major signing, beyond a reliever.
2b,3b, rf would be filled internally (3B: Williamson or Emerson, 2b: Young, Bliss, or Emerson, RF: some combo of Canzone, Robles, Raley) DH would be Ford, Cal, Canzone/Raley, or leg rest days for Randy and Julio.
It leaves the team just a touch short, unless the youngster emerge in dramatic fashion.
Do you really think they’re going to rely on mostly internal options to get better? I certainly don’t.
Ford would be wasted as a DH and he doesn’t have the power for that role, anyway.
Surely they’ll get creative.
Most of a team’s improvements come from internally while most free agents always fail.
Really? How many position players came from internal development and have been successful?
That’s where every teams major improvements come from. Not sure why fans think signing every free agent is the way to victory
Cal and Julio. End of list (for now).
And there’s a rumor floating around that Seattle is keen on trades to address their needs, but don’t quote me on that.
Naylor would be the major signing it’s like you are somehow discounting the fact that he’s a free agent. The mariners traded away talent to essentially rent his services for the second half of the season. That was the compensation for his 6 months with the team. In order to bring him back to the team he needs to be paid as a free agent, that is the major signing.
Naylor would be a retained player. He wouldn’t be an addition.
There’s no way around leaning on some of the young infielders, and we got a good hint in the ALCS who’s likely the favorite for second base, but they can’t seriously expect to retain Naylor, sign a reliever, and hope internal options can address the rest of the needs to get them to the next level.
And I don’t think they will.
You retain a player when you extend his contract. Once they are a free agent, you acquire them. Naylor is a free agent, he isn’t a part of the team anymore. The moment the season ended, if the team didn’t extend him to retain his services, he is removed from the roster and is a free agent, period. What you are saying about “retaining him” is not correct from a transactional position.
Was he on the team in the 25 season? Has he played for another team yet?
You’re missing the point. He wouldn’t be an addition.
Have a nice night.
Dude, the point you are trying to make doesn’t matter. It doesn’t make sense transactionally, doesn’t make sense in how contracts are negotiated and worded and it doesn’t make sense considering the rules of the game. End of discussion. You can certainly have the opinion, but it isn’t how the rules are written or how businesses is done.
Retained players are ones that the team doesn’t let reach free agency. You cannot retain a player who is no longer yours to retain.
I would say that we are just arguing semantics but the rules of the game don’t define the term in the way you describe it. If he winds up on Seattle next season, the transaction record will state Josh Naylor acquired by Seattle. It will not say Naylor retained by Seattle. Had he signed before the season was over, it would likely reflect something about Naylor being retained by Seattle on an X year y dollar extension.
It’s a fundamental misinterpretation of the type of agreement between player and club. He would be agreeing to be acquired by Seattle as a free agent or he would be agreeing to be retained by Seattle on an extension.
I have to defend Stevil. Since to 25 playoff roster included Naylor, then I agree with his statement that its not a new big signing. Just keeping pace with there they were at
It means that they will be worse next year than they were this year without other creative moves.
A player who was on the roster this season that no longer remains under team control cannot be “retained,” they are a free agent and must be reacquired. That is just how it works, it’s not about defending anyone. I completely get the idea that he was trying to communicate but front offices, the roster and transaction rules and how payroll is structured and accounted for just doesn’t support the idea that it’s the concept of “retaining” a player in this situation. It’s acquiring, or re-acquiring a player and not one front office in the game approaches it that way. They will sell this to the fans as a major acquisition or signing of a free agent, because that is exactly what it is. They do not look at it like he does, as a fan. If they sign Naylor it will be the major signing and require a large portion of the potential offseason budget, not simply include him arbitrarily on the ‘26 roster and then still have that same potential budget to spend further.
Naylor hasn’t filed for free agency yet. He’s still a mariner
You’re arguing solely over semantics when it’s pretty clear exactly the point that stevil is making.
This is a stupid topic to spend time arguing about. Who cares if he is retained or signed as a free agent agent? They are using the money paid last year as an example for next years budget. Personally who cares just get him signed.
I think the penny pinching owners saw the gates for the playoffs and thought wow 4-5 games of that again they will take it. Adding a bit to make it happen is worth it. They will have the young kids coming up at some point depends on ST. They will add and still make a nice profit. I could see them wanting a a WC spot with home field advantage. Then get 3 game victory and 2 7 game wins. Would cause tremendous ulcers in fans but they would profit a lot from it.
The point he was trying to make was that Naylor would not be the major acquisition and if he is signed as a free agent he absolutely would be considered the major acquisition. The article even states as much.
Technically, correct, 5 days after the conclusion of the World Series. However, it’s very widely known that he will be free agent and not get extended, which would be the only scenario that fits fit the “retained” narrative. Beyond that, he will absolutely be considered a major signing and the allotted budget will be utilized to pursue him, not signing him and still maintaining the same budget to spend beyond his potential signing.
Since you like to be technical, he’s not a free agent yet. He’s a Mariner.
The article is the authority on this subject? Interesting perspective. I disagree.
He will be signed as a free agent if the team acquires him so the point stands.
The article is clearly written by someone with a more advanced understanding and knowledge on the subject matter than some of the comments. Considering that the comments are mainly posting thoughts and responses to the article, it is definitely the reference point and without some level of authority, no one would even be here reading or commenting, but like everyone else you are certainly entitled to your opinion.
I highly respect Mark and his work, but I’ve never thought of anyone on this site as an authority on a baseball topic, and I think they would tell you the same thing. They have advanced knowledge and know more of the nuances than the vast majority of commenters, but you’re choosing to trust Mark 100% about something as mundane as word choice. That’s weird.
Colt Emerson is going to be day one SS. He’s different. Start looking at Ford as a 2B or trade option and see if Williamson late season power surge continues he’s a lock at 3b. He has the frame for it. But we definitely need to bring in at least some veteran competition. Possibly an older third baseman wanting one more year at it or Polanco. We can also let JP compete for short stop or most likely second base. If we get Naylor and Polo we’re good.
Well, 5 days after the World Series ends, but yeah
Polanco just seems to fit there. Be nice for both sides if they could stick together.
He was overshadowed by Raleigh, but Polanco was huge for Seattle. Great story. He should be the comeback player of the year.
The comeback player of the year usually, but not always, goes to a guy who was hurt the prior year and missed most/all of that season. Polanco was playing hurt last year, but did actually play most of the year, leading to a down year.
George Springer had a similar season last year. He didn’t have a single bigger injury like Jorge, but a series of smaller nagging things and had a really bad year. His rebound year dwarfs Polanco’s.
Both players will likely be up for the award. As you say, though, Polanco was overshadowed on his own team while Springer was the single biggest reason his team even made the playoffs.
Depends what the voters choose to value most. Either guy would be deserving.
Using the lower Cots payroll number of $165.2MM and starting there, then figuring in the added income from six 2025 sold out home playoff games should add significantly to next year’s payroll.
Roughly figuring 45,000 paid attendance each game at an average of $100 per fan (parking, concessions, soveniors and tickets) for six games comes to $27MM. If you figure a 30-30-40 split, i.e., expenses, owner profit, allocation to 2026 payroll, that would add $10.8MM to the established estimate of $165.2 raising it to a total of $176MM.
That can buy a World Series caliber team.
Bb, I agree that it will take $18-$20 million a year to sign Naylor to a 3-4 year deal. If they have $16-$18 million left to spend (which some years recently that was all they had to spend or even less) that better be some shut down/high leverage reliever and they do need one more. They cannot get Polanco for Two years $24 million? If not, they will need another quality bat. My dream is to trade for Steven Kwan and i believe that the Mariners have the farm system an the arms (Logan Evans) to pull off a trade for a quality bat. I believe they need another player like Kwan or a Brendan Donovan type that puts the ball in play….What would Luis Arraez cost? 181 hits last year. Though he does not walk much….
He been about league average for the past 3-4 years. No thanks, not for what he’d cost for whatever reason.
They will have various avenues they could explore and as it mentioned, they could even potentially add further at the deadline to address needs if they are in contention. Some fans clamor for the familiar name or expensive acquisition but the team still needs to compete the roster with capable talent. Seattle has the bigger name contributors already in Rodriguez and Raleigh , so if they can find some under appreciated or change of scenery role players and combine them with the core players and add in some gritty ball players, it could go a long way in getting them to the point where at the deadline, ownership will endorse some moves that will fill needs or put the team over a hump, even if it ultimately adds payroll down the stretch
Not Arraez. Not worth it. Bad defender. Slow. Zero power.
@Bookbook, Williamson, sure. Young, probably. Beyond that, they need b-a-t-s. Not necessarily home run hitters, but guys other pitchers want to pitch around. If you’re giving up outs with Williamson, Young, and Crawford. Then you’d better have a RF and DH that make guys nervous. Polo would help solve DH, but there aren’t good internal options. Go get Steven Kwan to bat leadoff and piss off starting pitchers with 11-pitch at bats that end with a hit. But until 2027 when Montes is ready, the answer is not Canzone, Robles, Raley, Rhylan Thomas, or Samad Taylor. And either let Ford back up Cal or trade him to a catcher-needy team like the Padres (say, Laureano and a reliever?) or the Guardians (Kwan and Josh’s brother?).
I hope it didn’t sound like I was attacking Bookbook. He’s right about the remaining room after arbitration raises (and a potential Naylor contract).
I just don’t expect them to being back a number of players, such as Santos and Raley.
I would guess that they’re hopeful Williamson can handle third relatively quickly, but they’ll need another option, regardless.
It’s easy to look at the prospects and younger players and think that they’ll have answers nearly everywhere. But they can’t rely on too much inexperience.
And the bullpen is every bit as much of a concern.
There’s another issue that nobody has talked about, but I’m waiting to see if anyone figures it out.
I don’t feel attacked, but thanks for making it clear.
If it were my money, I’d go get Kyle Tucker because he is the perfect fit for what this team needs, especially with his OBP. Alas, it is not my dime.
Dumping Santos and Raley only saves about $1 million over league minimum by arbitration estimates, so doesn’t create much payroll space.
I meant to say that Ford would be backup catcher, as well as a substantial portion of the DH mix. He had a very good year in Tacoma, so deserves a shot somewhere..
I agree that bringing back Polanco would be good, but the combination of cost, and his need to play DH 3/4 of the time makes that difficult if they want Cal and Ford to DH a bunch.. (And Canzone is easier to take if we don’t have to watch him “field” every time.) I don’t think Polanco will have to settle for 2/$24, even with his recent history. I think 3/$50 may be in the offing, which is not easy for our miserly owners to afford.
A creative trade for Kwan, or someone of that ilk, would be great. Most of what I’ve heard for available infielders (Bohm, Hoerner, etc.) is so unexciting I might prefer rolling the dice with the rookies., at least until the trade deadline.
Guessing you mean it’s Arozarena’s walk year. Might be do better because of that?
There is no reason why you would feel attacked by him. I don’t even understand why he even says that considering I was responding to your initial comment about the whole retention misinterpretation thing.
It won’t let me respond to him, probably because he has blocked me out of his own frustration about being incorrect but for future reference of the situation about Naylor, see the 4th paragraph on the post about the Royals rotation – you will see that they state they can “bring back” Yastrzemski on a free agent deal. Similarly to Naylor, he was acquired mid season via trade and became a free agent at the end of the season. Note the article doesn’t state that the Royals can “retain” him. They cannot retain a player they no longer have control over.
I’m not sure what exemptions he takes from me trying to clarify the point so he understands the appropriate way to look at roster creation and transactions but nonetheless the exact situation I was attempting to clarify is summed up fairly clearly by that statement of the 4th paragraph of said post about the Royals rotation.
I know we’re probably just arguing over semantics, but the proper terminology is take exception, not take exemption. Sure, everyone knew what you meant, but I’m just pointing out that the rules of the English language make take exception correct.
Did I do that right?
You are correct, it is supposed to say exception not exemption. My mistake.
The 2025 salaries of Mitch Haniger ($15.5 million), Mitch Garver ($12.5 million) and likely Jorge Polanco ($10 million) could come off the books as well as the residual salaries of Eugenio Suarez ($4.8 million), Josh Naylor ($3.9 million) and Caleb Ferguson ($983,000). The combined $7.2 million salaries of Donovan Solano and Dylan Moore are history.
That total could surpass $50 million.
Cal Raleigh is due a well-deserved $10 million raise while arbitration raises could approach $17 million. The frugal Mariners should have some money to spend this offseason.
Eugenio’s hair alone has gotta be worth $2 million.
Nice Muskie. I agree, there is a little more cash-money to play with and I think their needs are crystal clear in a good way.
Muskie Cal signed his $106 mill extension this last season. Wait to make sure we don’t get into another semantic argument this season. The other guys are legit though.
I have said this a bunch Ford deserves to get traded to a team he can battle for the starting C spot. It will help a bit with how players think about us as a franchise. They show respect and are fair with them. The easy thing is to have him as a backup C. Is that fair to him? No he deserves to be treated fairly. He will also get us a good return.
I stated in the KC article asking about the rookie LHSPer Cameron. I know we have a good LHer coming up. It would be nice to have 2. We could trade Castillo and that savings would be close to Naylor.
The other thing nobody has talked about in many articles about the Ms is signing Makanumra. That is wrong but the power hitting 3rd bm. There is some questions about his hitting. He has not hit many pitchers who are throwing over 98 MPHer. I am sure he has found some to take batting practice with and done a ton of ABs with a pitching machine. He would boost payroll and block Williamson who could be traded. Emerson could come up and spell 3rd SS and even 2nd. Or depending on his bat play 2nd. Then Young could be that person. Crawford needs to get a few more days off. Don’t care if he wants them or not. There are a lot of options out there and if ownership is smart they will explore them all.
Cal Raleigh’s six-year, $105 million extension calls for a 2025 salary of $1 million and a 2026 salary of $11 million. However, his $10 million signing bonus results in a projected year-end labor relations salary of $2.67 million in 2025 and $12.67 million in 2026, according to Cot’s Baseball Contracts:
docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1P55um0jB8gsz4M2Q7h…
With $10-15M, the team would get a DH over a bullpen arm.
They could look for an Ozuna, Arraez or Goldschmidt signing or look for trades for Kwan (move Canzone or Arozarena from the OF), Diaz or Willson Contreras.
Really they should try to keep Polo though as his ability to provide potential fall back cover at 2B and 3B is important if the young players struggle.
Looks like there was a pretty good discussion here last night. It’s kind of funny how many people talked about Kwan.
DH is a huge need, but so is relief pitching. Seattle didn’t get that leverage arm at the deadline because the prospect/player cost was so high. They may be more inclined to spend in that department and I can think of two that should fit their budget.
As I said somewhere above, Seattle will have to get creative and they’ll likely do so keeping in mind that multiple infielders are close as well as Cijntje.
This should be a fun offseason for us
I’m just happy it sounds like we are staying at our current payroll
If we keep naylor for 2026 that would be huge and we would still be Al west divison frontrunners
As a Mariners’ fan, I’d see a flat payroll for 2026 as less than comforting. In order to sign Naylor they’ll have to make a multi-year offer and 2027 will require a lot more arb increases for their key 4 young starters. Three more years of Castillo at $24-25m is too much and keeping Arozarena beyond 2026 looks impossible.
To keep all of the starters until FA means surrounding Julio and Raleigh with 7 position players that are likely to be league average or worse as a whole. I’d either trade a starter for a semiproven but affordable position player (maybe a Jordan Westburg or even a Jeremy Pena) or hope that DiPoto has wiggle room to go up 10% annually.
I was agreeing with this comment until I heard Jeremy Peña
Castillo feels as good as gone next year (if not this year) given his cost and the expected emergence of Kade Anderson.
Don’t forget cijntje too, and logan Evans
Ryan Sloan is also due up in a couple of years
Jurrangelo Cijntje is close. I don’t think Anderson is expected to debut, but he’ll obviously be someone to watch carefully. I’m really curious if he starts 2026 in Everett or Arkansas.
A few experts have claimed that Anderson is more ready to start in the majors than Cijintje right now. If the Mariners don’t trade anybody and return to the rotation health they have previously enjoyed, I wonder if Cijentje comes up mid-season as a reliever? He could be very effective in that role, with plans to give him a starting role in 2027.
Anderson hasn’t thrown a pitch in professional ball. He may pass Cijntje by the end of the year, but Cijntje is a more feasible mid-season option than Anderson. At least for now. I have a hard time seeing Anderson debuting this year, but it would be a welcomed surprise if he does because he proved he’s ready.
It’s funny that last offseason we didn’t see any big trades. I think that changes this offseason.
You think the Astros are trading Pena to their division rival? 2nd best WAR for SS in AL last year. You’re dreaming.
You think the Astros can compete with that pitching? Their choices after picking up Correa are making trades they don’t like or a complete rebuild.
Seems like Seattle and Atlanta should be able to match somewhere with a pitching for hitting swap. Unfortunately Atlanta probably isn’t moving any of their controlled hitters
I don’t think Atlanta will make any major trades either.
However, I would like to see if Acuna is really interested in staying in Atlanta for his career and what that contract looks like. If it is unattainable for Atlanta I really like Seattle’s farm system and would love to see that possible trade.
Acuna for Emerson, Montes, and either Anderson or Miller. I prefer Anderson over Miller but it depends on what Atlanta wants and Seattle is willing to give up.
Arozarena, Rodriguez, Acuna would be a lethal outfield for Seattle. Then the “Big Dumper” and resign Naylor. Solid chance to make another playoff run. By trading Anderson they still keep their rotation intact.
Atlanta gets their SS of the future and a replacement in Montes, and then Anderson to step into the rotation in a couple years.
That would be reasonable return for acuna but the braves probably want him to stay in Atlanta for life
Luis Castillo and the braves would be an ok fit to get salary off Seattle
There’s no way Seattle would give up Emerson Montes and Anderson or Miller for Acuña.
Crawford is a free agent after 2026 and Emerson is very likely going to replace him if there isn’t an extension (or even if there is). Montes has an enormous ceiling and Anderson may be the ace of their staff as early as 2027.
That’s a move Preller might make, but not Hollander.
@Stevil
I want to be clear…as a Braves fan I want Acuna in Atlanta and to retire a Brave… however I also wanted that for Freeman and Fried and here we are.
Celesten is more then likely Seattle’s future ss. If the Mariners keep Emerson, which is very likely, he might play ss 1 season and then move to 3rd, with Celesten at SS, and Arroyo at 2nd.
So I could actually see Seattle giving that up for Acuna. They have a stud rotation now and could use more offense. Acuna brings that with them not having to give up a rotation piece now. This move gives them the ability t continue to push for the elusive World Series birth.
I understand your feelings on Acuña, and it would take a significant package to get him (if he’s available), but Seattle wouldn’t do that.
Celesten has had health issues and didn’t dominate the way Seattle had hoped last season. I think Emerson is their future SS. He’s likely off-limits.
I wouldn’t doubt trader Jerry on a blockbuster trade, we paid a ton to get Castillo from the reds and a lot to get winker and Suarez
Marte was a legitimately great prospect, but you’re talking apples & oranges here. Most of the prospects we’ve seen traded weren’t this significant.
Emerson is the number 9 prospect in baseball. Anderson is the 23rd and likely in the top-5 at some point in 2026, while Montes is the 29th ranked prospects.
They’re not coughing up a haul like that for anyone, let alone an injury-prone player with just 3 years of control
These are 3 potential core players.
I wouldn’t be surprised if we see some big trades, but I think other prospects are far more likely to get dealt.
Acuña has way too many injury concerns for my liking to give up that kind of package. He’s continuously proven that he can’t stay on the field.
Acuna can’t stay on the field and i question his attitude. Not worth it.
You are expecting too much for Acuna. The most valuable players are in order: Starting Pitchers, Catchers and Short Stop. Outfielders are down the list. The M’s gave up four prospects for Luis Castillo but but his salary was only $4.6M in 2022. Acuna might attract one prospect and RF Victor Robles with his $5M deal. Free agents can be had with no prospect payout.
What do you think Atlanta would give up for Ford? I think I looked at your Cers and didn’t think it was a fit. Maybe for the salary Atlanta would be interested to bring him home.
I’m looking forward to the Mariners being the 2026 World Series Champions!
Whatever happens I hope the Mariners can make it to the World Series next year!
Naylor signs in San Diego, mariners pivot and trade Kirby to orioles for wells and mayo…
We aren’t the Seattle marlins come on now
Which Os Wells? But it’s a possible deal if DiPoto is high on Levi. Not sure anyone would put enough value on Tyler.
But Mayo really did a lot to
If they are asking for Mayo and T. Welles, I would hope that the Orioles would make that deal. Id think Seattle asks for more but if not, it’s a deal they should make. Kirby is still under team control for 3 more seasons and that’s an arm that would fit very well into the rotation with Bradish and Rogers. I’m hoping the Orioles make a serious run at Imai when he’s posted.
Tyler Wells should be utilized as a high leverage arm out of the pen, not in the rotation in Baltimore. I think they should also use Grayson out of pen in ‘26. It gives him time to contribute and stay healthy and under the innings limit I’m sure he will be put on for the season. Revisit the rotation in ‘27.
Subtracting T. Wells and Mayo would create holes but the addition of the rotation arm in Kirby would be value they really need. They could pivot and bring Alonso in for 1B/DH which is the legit RH power bat that they need. They will have to address the bullpen either way but they have shown the ability to get the most out of arms that didn’t do well elsewhere like Cano, Lopez, Bautista etc. so maybe they target similar arms for the pen.
They should be able to double their current committed payroll of 80 something to get to a 150-160 level but time will tell what they do. I like the reported agreement to bring Albernaz on as manager.
Would be interesting to know what kind of revenue that playoff run brought in
I really though that Cal Raleigh looked like Del Griffith with his moustache….BTW, the new John Candy documentary “I like Me” on Prime Video is really good.
M’s need to upgrade to an experienced manager with a good track record, but that’s not going to happen until the 2026 summer classic. So, please Dipoto, replace these RPs (Vargas, Legumina, Saucedo, Ferguson) for now.
The Mariners should trade Harry Ford. He’s either ready to play or very close to it. Raleigh is coming off an MVP type season and signed forever they should absolutely trade Ford.
I also think the Mariners would be best with right handed bats not a lefty like Naylor.
As a Cardinals fan I could see a deal involving both Arenado and Contreras with Williamson coming back. The Cardinals could pay a lot of the salary if needed. That would give the Mariners 2 veterans at the corners for the next couple years and the Cardinals would have a long term 3b.
I’d rather have Williamson over Arenado. Offensively they had similar seasons, but are trending in opposite directions.
Contreras would make a lot of sense as a Plan B if they cannot resign Josh Naylor as a fairly priced 1B.
I don’t see the M’s as needing to move Ford. Having a strong backup catcher is important. If his bat is good enough, he can take some more DH reps. I also think he should likely get some corner OF reps again given his athleticism should play really well out there.
Arenado was playing hurt before he went on the IL. He’s a better hitter if healthy but its possible he doesnt ever get healthy again. I think he will.
Fords value is not as a backup hes more valuable to another team. There are teams that need a catcher. The Rays need one for sure.
I think the Mariners need winners. And imo Arenado and Contreras are winners. They are intense guys that can help the clubhouse and help the Mariners get over the hump.
I think Ford and Raleigh would be a superb catcher/dh duo.
That could also keep the MVP healthy getting more rest from catching duties.
Agreed. I think ideally Ford learns how to play LF or RF (we need an Arozarena replacement for 2027 as I highly doubt we extend him) which Ford should be well suited for given his speed and arm strength (otherwise, you have to use a roster spot for a 3rd catcher to deal with in game injuries). He just needs to get reps there.
That would allow the team to have Ford play while Cal is catching and still allow DH to be a rotation spot where Cal can get 30-40 games.
Sign Naylor
Playoff revenues for the guaranteed games are split 60/40 between the players and owners per the CBA., The owners get all money from games beyond those that are “guaranteed” in a series. So, in a 7 game series the owners get the revenues from games 5-7 and 40% of games 1-4 revenues.. TV revenues go to the owners. as do advertising, parking and concessions. Playoff tickets cost significantly more than the regular season tickets due to demand.
The unknown is in the following year attendance figures. Typically, a small or mid market team like the Mariners will see an average 5,000 per game increase the following year. Over 81 games this could add $50M to the Mariners 2026 revenue projections.
I would expect the M’s owners to be meeting to discuss their 2026 budget in the coming days when all of the numbers from the playoffs are known. Hence, Jerry can only say at this time the 2026 payroll budget isn’t going down any.
Agree to disagree on Arenado. I think he is a washed borderline Hall of Fame player whose days of starting on playoff teams is passed, but is still paid like an elite starting 3B.
Contreras is a fit if they cannot keep Naylor. However, his no-trade complicates things.
I’m not 100% opposed to dealing Ford. For the right deal it could make sense. However, he has a pretty clear path to starting 120+ games with the Mariners each year even as backup catcher (40-60 games catching, 40-60 games DH, 40-60 games corner OF). Saving $4M on a backup catcher is useful to a team who won’t go beyond around middle of the league in payroll.
The Rays should be interested, but there is no-one (other than Caminero) who I think is worth Ford (Diaz, Lowe, Fairbanks should all command much less; maybe Shane McClanhan if the M’s trade Castillo).
@ Stevil Why is it funny that we are talking about Steven Kwan? He is exactly what they need. There has been a lot of speculation that he may be available, though I feel that the outfield is the Guardians weakness. A) The mariners do not have a true lead off hitter to set the table for Cal, Julio, Josh Naylor (after the sign him) and at times, Randy Arozarena . B) They need another quality bat that puts the ball in play at a high level. (see the Blue Jays).
Moving on from Stevil…. Brendaon Donovan would help as well. Plays 2b and puts the ball in lay at a high level, low strike outs. I agree that the Rays could be a good trade partner for Harry Ford. I don’t know if we truly know what we have their in a back up catcher and possible DH. If they keep them, it would be amazing if he is a difference maker at the plate in the majors. A leverage arm or two is a must in the bullpen and I think they will get that done. I don’t think that there are many here that believe that the M’s are bringing back Eugenio and I respect the comment back that Polanco may cost much more than 2 years and $24 million and even 3 years at $50 is possible. You are probably right but they do have the farm to go get a Brendan Donovan,etc. and the Cardinals may be in a place to be interested in some top prospects like Farmelo, Arroyo, etc. As far as at least one Relief Pitcher goes, what about Danny Coloumbe? Free agent lefty…..
Sign Bellinger, trade for Brendan Donovan and sign a top end reliever. Offseason over.
1b- Raley-Bellinger
2b- Young/Rivas/Bliss/JP
SS- JP/Emerson
3b- Donovan
Rf- Bellinger-Robles
Cf- Julio
Lf-Randy
C- Cal-Ford
Dh- Canzone-Cal-Ford
Keep the rotation together for 1 more year. Extend Logan.
$161 million in 2018, is like $210 million in today’s money. Open your wallet, Stanton.
The spent very little last offseason, this offseason should be similar worked last offseason, rinse and repeat spending doesn’t equal winning if it did they wouldn’t have made the playoffs this year according to fans opinions last offseason.