The Seattle Mariners have had an offseason filled with tough calls and near-misses-some of them understandable, others a little harder to swallow. While other teams made splashy moves to shore up their rosters, Seattle has taken a more cautious approach.
That’s not always a bad thing, especially when you’re trying to build something sustainable. But in a winter where opportunity knocked more than once, the Mariners didn’t always answer the door.
Let’s take a closer look at the biggest opportunities Seattle let slip away this offseason-and why they could come back to haunt them in 2026.
Missing Out on Jorge Polanco
Jorge Polanco wasn’t just a solid contributor for Seattle last season-he was a catalyst, especially when it mattered most. After a rocky start to his Mariners tenure, Polanco bounced back in a big way, finishing the year with a 134 OPS+ and 2.6 rWAR. His bat came alive once he shifted into a designated hitter role, and the numbers followed: 30 doubles, 26 home runs, and a renewed presence in the heart of the lineup.
And then there were the postseason moments-those flashes of brilliance that made you think, yeah, this guy fits. But instead of doubling down on that momentum, the Mariners watched as Polanco signed a two-year, $40 million deal with the Mets.
Seattle was reportedly in the mix and close to a deal before New York swooped in. Could it have been an overpay?
Maybe. But for a team still trying to find consistent offensive firepower, Polanco’s production and familiarity with the clubhouse made him a worthwhile investment.
Now, with Polanco off the board, the Mariners are left to sift through internal options or explore the trade market for a second baseman. Neither path offers the same clarity-or upside-that bringing Polanco back would have.
Playing It Safe with Kazuma Okamoto
Kazuma Okamoto was one of the most intriguing international free agents this winter, and for good reason. The 29-year-old slugger from Japan brings a well-rounded offensive profile, and while he doesn’t boast elite power, his bat-to-ball skills and approach at the plate have translated well across every level he’s played.
Yes, there were questions about his defense at third base, and yes, the transition from NPB to MLB is never a sure thing. But this was a calculated risk worth taking.
Seattle was linked to Okamoto early in the offseason but never made a serious push. Instead, the Blue Jays locked him up with a four-year, $60 million deal-well within the Mariners’ financial wheelhouse.
That’s a missed opportunity, especially when you consider that Seattle’s current third base plan involves Ben Williamson, a promising but unproven option. Giving young players a shot is important, but Okamoto represented a chance to add a high-upside bat with international pedigree and a relatively affordable contract.
In a division where every team is trying to get better-and fast-standing pat at a key corner infield spot could be a costly decision.
The Ketel Marte What-If
This one might sting the most.
The Diamondbacks were open for business on Ketel Marte earlier this offseason, fielding offers for their All-Star second baseman. Arizona wanted young pitching, something the Mariners have in abundance.
But Seattle held firm, unwilling to part with any of their top arms. The result?
Marte stayed put in the desert, and the Mariners missed a rare chance to fill a long-standing void at second base with one of the game’s best.
Marte isn’t just a good player-he’s an elite switch-hitter with a track record of production and a team-friendly contract. He’s signed through 2030 with a player option for 2031, and he’s been a cornerstone in Arizona’s lineup for years. For a Seattle team that hasn’t had a long-term answer at second base in quite some time, this could’ve been the move that changed that.
To be fair, it’s hard to fault the Mariners for being protective of their pitching depth. They’ve built one of the most exciting young rotations in baseball, and that’s not something you give up lightly.
But at some point, depth becomes surplus-and surplus becomes trade bait. This may have been the perfect time to cash in and address a glaring need with a proven star.
Final Thoughts
The Mariners didn’t have a bad offseason-but they didn’t have a bold one either. And in a league where standing still often means falling behind, that’s a risky place to be. While other contenders made aggressive moves to elevate their rosters, Seattle took a more conservative route, prioritizing long-term flexibility over short-term firepower.
That approach could still pay off. There’s plenty of talent in the pipeline, and the pitching staff remains one of the best in the league.
But if the Mariners fall short again in 2026, it won’t be hard to look back at this winter and wonder: *What if they had just pushed a little harder? *