The offseason is here for the Mariners, a few games sooner than so many hoped, but naturally the attention turns to what’s next.
And that’s a free agency period that can be seen as maintaining the current momentum or maybe even carrying the Mariners to that final threshold: The World Series.
In fact it was Justin Hollander, the team’s general manager, who said last week, “We didn’t get it done. We did not get far enough, I take responsibility for that. There’s more that we could have done to give our players 1% more of a chance to get there.”
So, consider this a comprehensive look at the Mariners roster. Who’s up for arbitration, who are the free agents that the M’s can try to bring back or let go. This is just of the 2025 Mariners, without speculation (yet) on outside names they could target this winter.
Unrestricted Free Agents:Josh Naylor
The man who is unequivocally the top task for the Mariners’ front office, someone President of Baseball Operations Jerry Dipoto called, “Obviously, a priority,” is a free agent. Now, the Mariners run, and Josh’s outstanding success in Seattle should play at least some part of this. But Naylor figures to get a big payday, with estimates ranging from $80-90 million over four years. Josh is worth that and then some. He’s a perfect fit for the Mariners on and off the field. But Josh is the most important piece of the Mariners’ offseason story. They have to find a way here.
Eugenio Suarez
Geno, along with Naylor, was a big trade deadline acquisition to push this team to the ALCS. While the M’s got elite defense from Ben Williamson at the hot corner, Suarez provided a necessary pop. That’s the interesting part about what the Mariners do next at third base. Williamson figures to be only better next year and don’t discount the Mariners top prospect Colt Emerson who could very well start at third base sooner rather than later.
Now, that logic would impart that maybe Suarez walks in a mutually beneficial move, and that could be true.
But you absolutely cannot put a value on Eugenio’s clubhouse vibes and how much it meant to this team.
And one thing I’ve learned from the M’s front office is they are creative as heck. It’s how they overcame restrictions in recent years to field playoff/or one game shy of playoff teams.
And while it could be a longshot, don’t totally discount an idea where Geno is re-signed and slides from third base to more of a regular designated hitter role with the arrival of Williamson and Emerson — with some reps still at third. When you’re eight outs from the World Series, you do what’s necessary. This lineup and team is stronger with Suarez, and I think there’s a way to do it without blocking the young studs. After all, who thought Jorge Polanco was going to be signed — to play third base last year? Dipoto and General Manager Justin Hollander will have tricks up their sleeves; we’ll see if this is one of them.
Relief Pitchers: Luke Jackson and Caleb Ferguson
It is widely expected that Jackson and Ferguson will find new MLB homes in 2026. Ferguson was a trade deadline acquisition, with the M’s looking for another left-handed reliever to pair with Gabe Speier. Nothing can ever be ruled out in this game, but it’s probably best for both sides to see what’s new in the new season.
Will Jorge Polanco return?
Did Polo turn that around or what? His clutch hits against the Tigers will never be forgotten. And as a late free agent signing for just $7.75 million, he proved to be a big piece of the M’s puzzle at DH and 2nd base.
That 1-year deal he signed on January 30th came with options for 2026:
A player option at 1 year/$6 million for 2026 that Polanco will almost assuredly turn down because he can get much more. There is also a mutual option (player and team must agree) at 1-year $8 million, he seems destined to make more than that, too. He’s 33 years old, so the time for Polanco to cash in is now. The Mariners got the player they were hoping for in 2024, is that enough for them to pay more, maybe close to double what they did this past year? Time will tell. But Polo did some great things this year, there’s a strong case for Seattle to run it back with him, but wherever it is Polanco will get a nice and deserved payday.
Okay so those are the guys that could be leaving? Who’s staying?
So there are players that, barring a trade, are here to stay for a long time to come. Just four of the 42 players the Mariners used in 2026 are free agents with another three sporting options (Spoiler Alert: There’s no way in the world the Mariners don’t use their team option on Andres Munoz in 2026, 2027, and 2028 in what appears to be the deal of the century).
Here’s a list of the players under team control moving forward, as provided to us by the team. This serves as a good point of reference for how long guys will be in a Mariners uniform and good contract extension candidates (like Logan Gilbert):
Signed to contracts:
(vesting option means if the player meets certain thresholds, a guaranteed contract year kicks in)
Julio Rodriguez (Through 2029 with options through 2039)Cal Raleigh (Through 2030, vesting option in 2031)Victor Robles (Through 2026, team option in 2027)J.P. Crawford (Through 2026)Luis Castillo (Through 2027, vesting option in 2028)
Arbitration Eligible
(This means that the player’s contract will be determined by arbitration, unless a deal is worked out between the player and team first. This panel is jointly selected by the MLB Players Association and MLB’s Labor Relations Department. These players will stay in Seattle barring something wildly unexpected. The player is still under Mariners control and remains on the team, it’s just that they are eligible for an arbiter-determined deal).
Randy Arozarena (4th arbitration year)Matt Brash (1st arbitration year)Logan Gilbert (3rd arbitration year)George Kirby (2nd arbitration year)Bryce Miller (1st arbitration year)Luke Raley (1st arbitration year)Gregory Santos (1st arbitration year)Tayler Saucedo (2nd arbitration year)Gabe Speier (2nd arbitration year)Trent Thornton (5th arbitration year)
The following players are not yet eligible for arbitration and remain under Mariners team control for a while to come:
Eduard BazardoRyan BlissDominic CanzoneBlas CastanoJhonathan DiazLogan EvansHarry FordDomingo GonzalezEmerson HancockJackson KowarCasey LeguminaMiles MastrobuoniLeo RivasSamad TaylorTroy TaylorRhylan ThomasCarlos VargasBen WillamsonBryan WooCole Young
So as you can see, the Mariners are set up quite well with so many stars especially in their rotation under team control for years to come. The immediate future starts with making sure Naylor stays. Even better with Polanco and Suarez running it back. Not to mention outside help as well, especially to bolster the bullpen. Mariners fans should feel quite optimistic that the team can at least maintain the level of success they achieved in 2025.