With the GM Meetings in the rearview, the offseason picture is starting to sharpen for the Mariners.
Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times laid out what came out of the meetings and what it could mean for Seattle’s plans. Nick Vitalis also took a look at the Mariners’ likely 40-man roster as the offseason gets rolling, while James Johnston raised the question of whether Seiya Suzuki’s bat would play at T-Mobile Park. Tanner Swanson, meanwhile, talked about why he chose to come home and coach the Mariners.
Elsewhere around baseball, Astros slugger Yordan Álvarez made history by becoming the first full-time designated hitter to win the American League Most Valuable Player Award, and he did it unanimously. In the National League, Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong snapped Shohei Ohtani’s run and won the MVP Award without contest.
The Braves also made a move, agreeing to a three-year, $35M deal with right-hander Evan Phillips.
There was more movement and chatter around the league, too. KBO outfielder Ja-Wook Koo is considering a jump to Major League Baseball at age 34.
New Astros GM Randy Flores said it was his decision to hire Brad Ausmus, a line that probably landed with a thud. The Angels are not bringing Kurt Suzuki back as manager in 2027, but they are keeping him in the organization as a special assistant.
The Nationals are unlikely to trade star shortstop CJ Abrams this winter. And former Mariners hitting coach Tommy Joseph has landed with the rival Rangers as their assistant hitting coach.
In Other News...
Mariners Are Already Showing How Serious They Are About Julio Rodriguez
Julio Rodriguezs 2026 season did not match the standard he has set in Seattle, but the Mariners are treating that as a point of connection rather than distance. Manager Jason Kanzler plans to fly to Florida to meet with the center fielder before the offseason, a move designed to strengthen their relationship and get ahead of what comes next for one of the franchises most important players.
Rodriguez, a five-year veteran and three-time All-Star, saw both his offense and defense slip last year, making this more than just a routine check-in. For Seattle, the visit is part of a broader effort to help him get back to the level that made him a centerpiece of the clubs future, and the fact the team is making the trip says plenty about how seriously it views that mission. [Read more 🡒]
Mariners Hire Raises A Big Question About Cal Raleighs Development
Buster Olneys read on the Mariners hire of Tanner Swanson points to a move that could matter well beyond the dugout. Swanson arrives with a reputation for helping develop catchers in the Yankees organization, which makes him an interesting addition for a club that already has Cal Raleigh at the center of so much of its long-term planning. For Seattle, the appeal is obvious: a coach with a track record in one of the games most demanding positions, now joining a staff that is trying to sharpen every edge it can find.
The bigger question is how Swansons time will be divided once the season gets moving. He is being brought in as bench coach, but his catching background suggests the Mariners may also want his hands-on input with Raleigh, and fitting both roles together will be worth watching. All of that comes as the club is also being tied to outfielder Seiya Suzuki, with the looming MLB lockout adding pressure to an already tight offseason timeline. [Read more 🡒]
Mariners Offseason Plans May Be More Aggressive Than Fans Expected
The Mariners left the MLB general manager meetings with a clearer sense that this winter could look more ambitious than many around the club first assumed. Seattle reportedly has more financial flexibility for the 2027 payroll than previously thought, with estimates now rising into the $175 million to $180 million range, a shift that could open the door to a much busier offseason than the one fans may have been bracing for.
Seiya Suzuki is already on the radar as a top free-agent outfield target, and the front office also plans to chase an infielder and multiple high-leverage relievers. With the possibility of spending roughly $40 million to $45 million this offseason, the Mariners may have room to make more than one meaningful addition, which is exactly the kind of leverage they have lacked in some recent winters. [Read more 🡒]