Seattle Mariners 2025 offseason preview: After magical season ends in ALCS Game 7, what's ahead for the Mariners this winter?

2025 season: 90-72, first in AL West, eliminated in the ALCS

With the Mariners eliminated by the Blue Jays in Game 7 of the ALCS, let’s take a look at the season that was in Seattle, the questions the team must address this winter and the early outlook for next year.

Things that went right

There were so many things for Seattle to be proud of in a 2025 season that included the organization’s first AL West title since 2001 and the first postseason Game 7 in franchise history.

The Mariners have had some legendary players, such as Ken Griffey Jr. and Randy Johnson, but the 2025 exploits of Cal Raleigh can compare to any individual campaign in team history. The 28-year-old set an MLB record for home runs by a catcher (60) while producing the third-highest total in American League history. He led the majors in long balls and topped the American League in RBI. His was the 10th 60-home-run season in MLB history, and he hit five more home runs in the playoffs. Raleigh also played above-average defense at the most important position and made an impact on the basepaths by swiping 14 bags. AL MVP voters will have a tough decision between Raleigh and Yankees slugger Aaron Judge.

Behind Raleigh, franchise cornerstone Julio Rodriguez also delivered another standout season at age 24. Although he started slowly, he heated up as the season went along and finished the year with 32 home runs, 30 steals and 6.8 bWAR. He hit four postseason home runs as he and Raleigh delivered multiple key moments along the Mariners’ postseason run.

Although the Mariners’ pitching staff was average overall, there were some excellent individual performances. Bryan Woo made his case to be considered the ace of a star-studded staff by leading the team in innings, strikeouts, ERA and WHIP. Luis Castillo continued to be reliable and effective, and although Logan Gilbert missed time in the first half due to a flexor strain, he was effective across 25 starts. At the other end of games, Andrés Muñoz was as effective and reliable as any closer in baseball. He finished second in the American League with 38 saves. His primary setup men, Matt Brash and Gabe Speier, were excellent as well.

Things that went wrong

An ill-timed injury for Woo kept him off the ALDS roster and limited him to 4 1/3 innings in the ALCS, and he allowed two baserunners to start the fateful seventh inning of Game 7. George Kirby also struggled in October (6.00 ERA), as did Randy Arozarena (.575 OPS). And production from the bottom third of Seattle’s lineup was virtually nonexistent across the team’s 12 postseason contests, limiting the lineup’s run-scoring capabilities.

In the regular season, there were plenty of reasons the Mariners finished in the middle of the pack in team ERA, despite having plenty of talented hurlers. Kirby endured a disappointing season. A shoulder injury delayed his debut until May 22, and he finished the season with a 4.21 ERA. The team also struggled to get consistent results from the back end of the rotation, as Bryce Miller, Emerson Hancock and Logan Evans all made at least 15 starts and posted ERAs over 4.30. Miller’s struggles with injuries and ineffectiveness were especially disappointing after he logged a 2.94 ERA across 31 starts in 2024.

The third-base position also gave the team some trouble this year. Ben Williamson struggled offensively while logging most of the playing time over the initial four months, which forced the front office to trade for Eugenio Suárez at the deadline. Suárez then logged a .682 OPS with the Mariners after recording an .897 mark during four months with the Diamondbacks (though he did deliver an unforgettable grand slam in ALCS Game 5).

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Offseason outlook

Looking to next year, there are some unsettled positions around the infield, but fortunately, catcher isn’t one of them. Raleigh is under contract until at least 2030, which should help Seattle fans sleep at night. J.P. Crawford will return as the shortstop and will hopefully play better defensively after regressing in that area in 2025. Every other infield position is up in the air, as Josh Naylor, Suárez and Jorge Polanco are all heading to free agency. Cole Young spent plenty of time at second base this season, and although his results were underwhelming, he could grab that spot in spring training.

The outfield is in better shape than the infield. Julio Rodríguez should continue to improve as a hitter, and he is an excellent defensive center fielder who could still become a true superstar. Randy Arozarena will be the left fielder and deserves credit for bouncing back from a down year in 2024. Right field is less settled. Dominic Canzone and Luke Raley will battle for playing time unless a better option arrives in the offseason. Canzone is younger, played better this season and earned more playing time down the stretch.

Fortunately, the rotation is one area the front office doesn’t need to worry about. Woo, Gilbert, Kirby, Castillo and Miller will again form the starting quintet, with Hancock and Evans waiting in the wings for an opportunity. It will be interesting to see if president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto finally relents and trades a starter to acquire some help in the lineup.

The bullpen is also in excellent shape. Dipoto will almost certainly exercise a team option on Muñoz’s contract, and Speier and Brash remain under team control for multiple seasons. Eduard Bazardo and Carlos Vargas will also return after handling significant roles this year.

Prospects on the horizon

The Mariners are stocked with one of the best farm systems in baseball, and a few of their best prospects will be expected to contribute in 2026.

A first-round pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, Colt Emerson reached Double-A shortly after his 20th birthday. He has outstanding bat-to-ball skills and maintains a patient approach that allows him to reach base at a high rate. Emerson is a natural shortstop who could debut at second or third base before eventually replacing Crawford. Emerson’s teammate, Lazaro Montes, is a hulking outfielder with tremendous raw power. He strikes out often, which will likely lead to growing pains when he reaches higher levels. But Montes could still contribute in the second half of 2026. A third Double-A player, Michael Arroyo, could also reach the majors next year. Arroyo has a balanced offensive skill set and should have a smooth transition to Triple-A and eventually the majors.

Catcher Harry Ford has already debuted with Seattle but spent nearly all of 2025 in Triple-A. Ford is coming off a terrific season and would warrant consideration for the Opening Day roster if not for the presence of Raleigh. Still, Ford could force his way into a prominent role by serving as the DH or getting some starts in the outfield.

Kade Anderson, the third overall pick of the 2025 MLB Draft, is the team’s top pitching prospect. He will turn 22 by the middle of the 2026 season and could be an option for Seattle in the second half. That said, given the embarrassment of riches in the big-league rotation, it might make sense to allow Anderson to develop for one full season in the minors.

Goals for 2026

Despite the heartbreak of coming so close to the franchise’s first World Series appearance, the 2025 season was a resounding success for this franchise. Not only did the Mariners catch the Astros in the AL West and make it all the way to Game 7 of the ALCS, but they also have the talent to keep Houston in the rearview mirror next season. With better health in the rotation, Seattle could have the lowest team ERA in the majors. And while there are multiple lineup spots that need to be filled this offseason, the foundational pieces are in place with Raleigh, Crawford, Rodríguez and Arozarena.

It would help the team’s chances if a couple of members of their deep pool of prospects were to arrive earlier than expected. But the biggest variable will be Dipoto and his ability to convince ownership to spend big in free agency. A couple of impact bats would make all the difference in turning this lineup from solid to excellent.

Fantasy focus

There are plenty of Mariners who will be selected early in 2026 drafts. Raleigh and Rodríguez will both warrant consideration as early as Round 2, while Woo and Gilbert will be treated as fantasy aces who could come off the board in Rounds 3-4. Muñoz will be treated as a top-five closer selected in the range of Round 5. And despite struggling in 2025, Kirby shouldn’t last past Round 5 or 6.

Arozarena and Castillo will have their names called by the time drafts reach Round 10, and after that point, there will be a gap. Miller is the only other member of the team who will warrant draft consideration, and he should be selected in the range of Rounds 15-20.

Seattle Mariners 2025 offseason preview: After magical season ends in ALCS Game 7, what’s ahead for the Mariners this winter?

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