The Seattle Mariners are heading into a busy offseason with arbitration front and center, and the list is a long one. Seattle has 15 arbitration-eligible players, which ranks fourth-most in the majors, and that group could drive a sizable chunk of the club’s payroll decisions before the roster freeze tied to the looming CBA deadline.
There’s already a lot on the Mariners’ plate. The current Collective Bargaining Agreement is set to expire Dec. 1, and a lockout is expected after that.
Dan Wilson has also said he will not return as the team’s manager in 2027, and Seattle still has coaching staff spots to sort out after several changes there. On top of all that, the Mariners have made at least one early roster move by claiming former Rockies and Reds utility player Michael Toglia off waivers.
Toglia hit 25 homers in 2024 with Colorado.
The arbitration cases give a clearer picture of where the money may go. Logan Gilbert leads the group at an estimated $15.4 million, followed by George Kirby at $9.8 million and Bryce Miller at $3.9 million.
Gilbert is projected to be the highest-paid player in arbitration and is coming off the second 200-strikeout season of his career. He’s also in his final year of arbitration before reaching free agency.
Seattle’s bullpen adds another layer to the bill. Gabe Speier is projected at $3.3 million, Matt Brash at $1.8 million, Eduard Bazardo at $1.5 million, Jose A. Ferrer at $1.6 million, Michael Rucker at $800,000, Cooper Criswell at $900,000 and Carlos Vargas at $800,000.
There are also a few position players in the mix. Patrick Wisdom, who can play first and third, is projected at $1.1 million.
Luke Raley is estimated at $3.1 million, while Dominic Canzone is projected at $3 million. Brendan Donovan, listed as an infielder/outfielder, is projected at $6.1 million.
Donovan’s case stands out for reasons beyond the number. He made his only All-Star team in 2025 with the St. Louis Cardinals, then played just 39 games this season with the Mariners because of three trips to the injured list - two for a left groin strain and one for a concussion.
Miller’s situation is worth watching, too. He did not reach an arbitration agreement with Seattle last offseason before eventually landing a deal with the club, and he remains under a conditional club option for 2027 worth $6.075 million, per Spotrac, with a $15,000 buyout clause.
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Mariners Prospects Just Hit A Test That Could Change The Conversation
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The first taste of Double-A, though, has been less forgiving. Their rankings slid in the latest top 100 refresh as the level of pitching sharpened and the offense backed up, with more strikeouts and less production than they showed before the move. For Seattle, the question now is less about whether the talent is still there and more about how quickly Farmelo and Celesten can adjust to the test that often separates promising names from the ones who stay on track. [Read more 🡒]