The Mariners are staring at another offseason that demands something bolder than the usual cleanup job, and Elly De La Cruz fits that bill.
Even if Seattle somehow pulls off a miracle and reaches the playoffs, this roster still looks broken in places that go well beyond the manager’s chair. Dan Wilson is almost certainly out, but the bigger issue is the shape of the team itself. It needs a reset, and if Jerry Dipoto is back - which seems likely - this may be his last real chance to prove he can steer the Mariners in a different direction.
That’s where De La Cruz comes in.
At 24, he’s already the kind of player teams build around. This season is shaping up as a career year: 27 home runs, a .874 OPS, a 137 wRC+, and soon another personal best in bWAR.
It’s also the first time in three seasons he hasn’t made the All-Star team, which says more about the standard he’s set than anything else. Add in the defense at shortstop and the arm that makes throws look effortless, and you’re talking about a five-tool star with real centerpiece value.
The Reds know exactly what they have. Before this season, they put an extension on the table that would have been the biggest contract in franchise history, topping Joey Votto’s 10-year, $225 million deal.
De La Cruz passed on it. Instead, he’s playing this year on an $800,000 renewed pre-arbitration contract, clearly betting on himself and what comes next.
For the Mariners, the obvious objection is cost, both now and later. He still has three years of arbitration eligibility ahead of him, and keeping him would not be cheap.
But that’s a problem for another day if Seattle is serious about avoiding another wasted season. This club needs more star power, especially with the Randy Arozarena experience set to end in Seattle.
Cal Raleigh and Julio Rodríguez are still the headliners, and the expectation here is that both rebound in 2027. De La Cruz would give them another high-end bat and another player defenses have to plan around.
There is at least some reason to think Cincinnati would listen. According to Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic, the Reds were open to hearing offers before this year’s trade deadline.
The Red Sox mostly came in with prospects, but Cincinnati wanted more than that - “a decent overpay that would include players close to the big leagues.” The Reds still prefer to keep De La Cruz, and it’s easy to see why given how popular he is with their fan base.
But simply being willing to listen matters, especially with Scott Boras in the picture.
If Seattle wanted to get serious, it would probably have to start with someone like Kade Anderson or Ryan Sloan. That’s a steep price, no question.
It also sounds like the kind of move that could split a fan base. But neither pitcher is a sure thing yet, while De La Cruz has already established himself as the real deal.
And the Mariners, for all their pitching development success, can survive parting with some arm talent.
Seattle’s long-term shortstop situation adds another wrinkle. The club believes Colt Emerson is the answer there, though he still has to prove it. He could also slide over and help at third base if needed, which gives the Mariners some flexibility if they ever decided to chase a player like De La Cruz.
With Dipoto now looking at just two playoff appearances in 11 seasons in Seattle, the message is pretty simple: think bigger. Think differently. Going after De La Cruz would do both.
In Other News...
White Sox Just Took On A Rotation Risk Fans Can't Ignore
The trade that sent Luis Castillo from Seattle to Chicago looked like a clean deadline move at the time, but the early returns have only made the decision look more complicated. The veteran right-hander was still carrying the reputation built over his run with the Mariners, where he posted a 5.06 ERA in 99.2 innings before the deal, and the White Sox were willing to absorb the remaining commitment because they believed the upside was worth it.
Instead, Castillo has been shaky in Chicago, with a 7.76 ERA across 29 innings since the move, and the long-term money attached to him only sharpens the scrutiny. He is owed $21.6 million in 2027, which means this is more than a short-term gamble for the White Sox - it is a rotation bet with a price tag that will linger well beyond this season. [Read more 🡒]
Julio Rodrguez Gives Mariners Fans A Reason To Be Proud Right Now
Julio Rodriguez has given Mariners fans another reason to feel good about where the franchise is headed, this time off the field. The center fielder has been named Seattles nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award, MLBs annual recognition for character, community involvement and philanthropy, a nod that reflects how quickly he has grown into more than just one of the teams brightest young stars.
Since making his major league debut in 2022, Rodriguez has used his No Limits Foundation to push for greater youth baseball access while also supporting under-resourced communities both locally and internationally. The league will choose the winner through a panel, and the honor will be presented during the 2026 World Series, leaving Seattle with the kind of recognition that extends well beyond the box score. [Read more 🡒]
Mariners Face A Randy Arozarena Decision That Could Get Complicated
Randy Arozarena has been the Mariners most productive bat this season, which has only sharpened the question looming over the front office as the year winds down. He is headed toward free agency, and a qualifying offer seems likely, a one-year pact worth about $22 million that would at least keep Seattle in the conversation if he tests the market.
What makes the decision trickier is everything beyond the box score. The Mariners have to weigh concerns about his defense, effort, age and leadership against the value of keeping an impact hitter in the middle of the lineup, all while sorting through their own financial flexibility and the murkier outlook around MLBs money landscape. In a market where one move can shape the roster for years, Arozarena is turning into the kind of call that is anything but straightforward. [Read more 🡒]