The Mariners made their first notable offseason roster moves on Thursday, and the biggest decision was an easy one: keeping closer Andrés Muñoz in the fold.
Seattle exercised Muñoz’s $9 million contract option for the 2027 season, locking in the two-time All-Star after a season that was rough by his standards but still left the club committed to him. Muñoz, 27, tied for the MLB lead with 10 blown saves in 2026 and finished with a career-high 4.24 ERA, but he also struck out 89 batters and issued 24 walks across 57 1/3 innings in 61 appearances. He went 5-6 with 28 saves and a 1.22 WHIP.
Muñoz still has one more $9 million club option on his deal for the 2028 season.
Seattle’s other two decisions went the opposite direction. The Mariners declined starting pitcher Bryce Miller’s $6.075 million option for next year and also turned down outfielder Victor Robles’ $9 million option.
Miller is still under club control, so this does not send him to the open market. He enters the second-to-last year of arbitration after a 2026 season that had plenty of highs and lows.
The 28-year-old missed the start of the year on the injured list, pitched well after returning in mid-May, then went winless over his final 13 starts. He finished 4-10 with a 4.17 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP, striking out 119 and walking 38 over 118 2/3 innings in 22 outings, including 21 starts.
Miller and the Mariners had agreed to a one-year deal with a club option for 2027 in January to avoid arbitration for this past season.
Robles, meanwhile, is now a free agent. The 29-year-old right-handed hitter parlayed a breakout 2024 into a two-year deal with Seattle, but he has appeared in just 97 games over the last two seasons. In 2026, he hit .256/.315/.308 with three doubles, two triples, no homers, 10 stolen bases, nine walks and 22 strikeouts in 65 games.
With those moves, Seattle’s 40-man roster is down to 34 players. Robles joins Randy Arozarena, Taylor Ward, J.P.
Crawford and Hoby Milner among Mariners who are free agents this offseason. Free agents can sign with any club at 2 p.m.
Nov. 2.
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