The 2025 season was another heartbreaker for the Mariners. Thankfully, they have a lot of good things in place for the future.
Guaranteed Contracts
- Julio Rodríguez, CF: $162MM through 2034 (deal contains complicated option structure beginning after 2028)
- Cal Raleigh, C: $94MM through 2030 (deal includes 2031 vesting option)
- Luis Castillo, RHP: $45.5MM through 2027 (deal includes 2028 conditional club option/vesting option)
- J.P. Crawford, SS: $11MM through 2026
- Víctor Robles, OF: $5MM through 2026 (includes $500K buyout on $9MM club option for 2027)
Option Decisions
- IF Jorge Polanco has $6MM player option with $750K buyout
- Club has $7MM option for RHP Andrés Muñoz, plus two more club options for 2027-28
- Mitch Garver, C/DH: $12MM mutual option with $1MM buyout
2026 guarantees (assuming Polanco and Garver become free agents): $76.5MM
Total future commitments: $326.25MM
Arbitration-Eligible Players (service time in parentheses; projected salaries courtesy of MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz)
- Trent Thornton (5.148): $2.5MM
- Randy Arozarena (5.129): $18.2MM
- Logan Gilbert (4.144): $10MM
- Gabe Speier (4.000): $1.7MM
- George Kirby (3.151): $5.4MM
- Tayler Saucedo (3.146): $1.1MM
- Matt Brash (3.121): $1.8MM
- Luke Raley (3.106): $1.8MM
- Gregory Santos (3.055): $800K
- Bryce Miller (2.153): $2.4MM
Non-tender candidates: Thornton, Saucedo, Raley, Santos
Free Agents
In many ways, it was a fantastic season for the Mariners. They got a historic performance from catcher Cal Raleigh. They won the American League West for the first time since 2001 and made it to the ALCS for the first time since that same season.
But the dream ended there. It seemed they were on the cusp of their first World Series appearance when they went up 2-0 on the Blue Jays in the ALCS. The Jays tied the series up 2-2 but the Mariners managed to win Game 5, putting them one victory away. Seattle lost Game 6 but had a 3-1 lead in Game 7, until George Springer's home run put the Jays over the top.
So often in recent history, the Mariners have been a strong team but not quite strong enough. In 2021, they finished two games back of a playoff spot. They made it to the playoffs in 2022 and survived the Wild Card round, before getting swept out of the ALDS in agonizing fashion. The third game went 18 innings with the Mariners unable to score, losing 1-0 to the division-rival Astros. In both 2023 and 2024, they missed the playoffs by a single game. In a sense, 2025 was a step forward, but it was yet another case of getting so close that the final blow was all the more crushing.
Though the pain is fresh for many fans, there's a lot to feel good about in the future. The division is wide open. The Angels haven't been good in years. The A's are on the rise but still have lots of question marks. The Astros and Rangers have some veteran talent but are starting to feel a bit old and creaky, with both clubs facing budget crunches. The Seattle roster, meanwhile, is loaded with talent. A few guys are set to depart via free agency but the M's have payroll space and one of the best farm systems in baseball.
Unlock Subscriber-Exclusive Articles Like This One With a Trade Rumors Front Office Subscription
- Access weekly subscriber-only articles by Tim Dierkes, Steve Adams, and Anthony Franco.
- Join exclusive weekly live chats with Anthony.
- Remove ads and support our writers.
- Access GM-caliber tools like our MLB Contract Tracker
Some AAAA players took important at-bats for the Mariners in the recent postseason.
Raley had an awful, injury marred season. But I can’t see non-tendering him. In 2023 he produced 2.7 WAR with 19 HR and 14 SB. In 2024 it was 3.2 WAR with 22 HR and 11 SB. To put that in perspective, Josh Naylor just had his best season, 3.1 WAR, he’s only beem over 2 WAR one other time (2023, 2.3 WAR).. Raley is projected to get $1.8 million in his first year of arbitration, with two more years of team control. Naylor is going to cost $20 million or more per year, for three or four years. Given how little he’ll cost, the Ms can afford both and giving up on a $1.8 million Raley seems an overreaction.
To me, the big question is Raley’s back. If that’s a chronic thing like back problems tend to be, and I am typing this with a sore lower back, it might make sense to cut bait. The M’s have the medicals, not us
@Bronxlou. Totally agree on Raley. I would not give up on Santos at that price either. Cannot stay healthy worth a lick but should give that arm one more attempt.
No chance the Mariners give up on Cole Young this quickly. Polanco may still be in play, especially for a role similar to 2025, but I think the Mariners go into 2026 with Cole at 2B and Williamson at 3B and Emerson and Arroyo waiting in the wings at AAA if any of them struggle. Prospects can take time to figure out major league pitching, fortunately the Mariners have quantity of prospects (not just quality) and can sub out when needed.