With spring training just around the corner, the Seattle Mariners find themselves in a bit of a holding pattern. The roster hasn’t seen the kind of upgrades fans were hoping for, and as the offseason market continues to thin out, the front office is running low on clear-cut options to plug the remaining holes - especially on the infield.
Some of the names that were floated earlier in the offseason? Off the board.
Ketel Marte isn’t available. Brandon Lowe’s already been moved.
And while Eugenio Suárez was a familiar face last year, bringing him back doesn’t feel like the right move at this point.
Let’s be real: Suárez’s power is still legit. When he connects, the ball flies.
But the strikeouts? You can live with those if he’s drawing walks and getting on base.
The problem is, that walk rate has dipped - hard. We’re talking about a guy who used to draw 70-75 free passes a year, but lately, he’s been stuck in the 40s.
That’s a big reason why his on-base percentage dropped below .300 last season, and when your OBP starts with a two, it’s tough to justify penciling that bat into the middle of your order.
Alec Bohm’s name has floated out there as a possible target, but that doesn’t feel like a great fit - not for Seattle’s ballpark, and not for the culture this team is trying to build. Bohm’s offensive profile doesn’t scream impact, and the intangibles don’t exactly tip the scale in his favor either.
So, who does make sense?
Nico Hoerner might be the best name still in play. He checks a lot of boxes: elite defense, speed, contact ability, and a knack for getting on base.
He’s coming off a season where he was worth over six wins above replacement - that’s serious value. He can lead off, he can disrupt pitchers with his legs, and he brings a level of consistency that this Mariners lineup could really use.
The Cubs reportedly aren’t shutting the door on trade talks, especially after their big-money investment in Alex Bregman. If Bregman eventually shifts to second, that could make Hoerner more available.
The Giants are also said to be interested, so the competition is there. But if Seattle can make it happen, Hoerner feels like the kind of addition that moves the needle.
Beyond that? The options get murkier.
Steven Kwan from Cleveland and Jarren Duran from Boston are intriguing if the Mariners pivot to the outfield, but right now it doesn’t seem like that’s the direction they’re leaning. And while Brendan Donovan’s name has come up, there’s a legitimate question about whether he brings enough impact to justify the cost.
If the right player isn’t available - and that’s a very real possibility - the smart move might be to wait. That’s not always a popular stance in an offseason where fans are itching for action, but patience could pay off. The Mariners have a wave of young talent knocking on the door, and giving those prospects a chance to make an early-season impression isn’t the worst idea.
Cole Young, Colt Emerson, Ben Williamson, Michael Arroyo - these are names worth watching. No one’s expecting them to carry the team to October, but if you don’t give them opportunities, you never find out what you’ve got.
Just look at what Toronto got last year from Addison Barger down the stretch. Sometimes, giving young players runway early in the year sets the stage for bigger things later on.
The key is balance. You don’t want to rely on the kids to be your only option, but you also don’t want to block their path with a stopgap who doesn’t move the needle.
That’s where overpaying now can hurt you later - not just financially, but in terms of flexibility. If you burn a top prospect now for a marginal upgrade, you might not have that chip available when a real difference-maker hits the trade market midseason.
Seattle’s front office has kept its powder dry so far, and while that’s led to some frustration, it could also be setting them up for a more impactful move down the line. In the meantime, giving the young core a chance to show what they can do might be the best way forward - especially if the alternative is forcing a fit that just isn’t there.