Mariners’ Offseason Hits a Speed Bump-And the Bullpen Still Needs Help
The Seattle Mariners came out of the gate fast this offseason, landing Josh Naylor in a move that looked like it could set the tone for a big winter. But after losing Jorge Polanco to the Mets and watching the bullpen market explode, the momentum has stalled-and the front office suddenly finds itself playing catch-up.
Yes, the Mariners still need a bat. That much hasn’t changed. But the bullpen might be just as pressing a concern, and the options are quickly drying up.
The Bullpen Market Is Booming-and Not in Seattle’s Favor
Seattle did make one move to bolster the relief corps, acquiring José A. Ferrer from the Nationals.
But that’s not going to be enough. The Mariners are still in the market for at least one more arm, and they’ve got somewhere in the ballpark of $15 million to work with.
That should be a decent chunk of change-until you take a look at what the reliever market is doing right now.
It’s wild out there.
Just take the numbers: FanGraphs projected 11 notable relievers to sign for a combined $230.1 million. The actual total?
A staggering $313.25 million. That’s nearly a $100 million jump, and it’s not just the top-tier arms driving the surge.
Even Edwin Díaz, a former Mariner, came in under projections-signing a three-year, $69 million deal with the Dodgers, short of the four-year, $84 million estimate. But it’s the middle-tier guys who are cashing in, and that’s where Seattle was hoping to find value.
Tyler Rogers: A Missed Opportunity?
One name that had been on Seattle’s radar was Tyler Rogers. He’s not your typical flamethrower-his submarine delivery gives hitters a completely different look-but he doesn’t bring the swing-and-miss stuff that Seattle’s bullpen lacked last season.
Still, he was intriguing, and FanGraphs pegged him for a one-year, $8 million deal. That would’ve fit nicely into the Mariners’ budget.
Instead, Rogers landed a three-year, $37 million contract with the Blue Jays. That’s not just a miss-it’s a signal that the Mariners may have to rethink their approach entirely.
With the market this hot, the remaining top-tier relievers-names like Pete Fairbanks, Seranthony Domínguez, Luke Weaver, and Brad Keller-are likely heading toward similar paydays. And Seattle simply can’t afford to blow most of its remaining budget on one arm.
Not when they still need a bat. Not when Andrew Knizner is the only move they’ve made behind the plate to support Cal Raleigh.
What’s Next? The Bargain Bin or the Trade Route
At this point, Jerry Dipoto and the front office may need to pivot to the bargain aisle. There are still some interesting names floating around: Chris Martin, a strike-throwing veteran; Tyler Kinley and Pierce Johnson, both proven workhorses; and Evan Phillips, who could be a sneaky stash candidate as he rehabs from Tommy John surgery.
If those options don’t pan out, the Mariners might turn back to the trade market-or even decide to roll with what they’ve got. Internally, there are a few names worth watching: Alex Hoppe, Charlie Beilensen, and Tyler Cleveland could all factor into the bullpen mix if Seattle opts to promote from within.
From Early Momentum to Mid-December Uncertainty
The early addition of Josh Naylor had the Mariners looking like one of the early winners of the offseason. But a few weeks later, the vibe has shifted.
Losing Polanco hurt. The bullpen remains incomplete.
And the market is making it harder to find value.
There’s still time, and Dipoto has never been shy about making moves. But as things stand, the Mariners are stuck somewhere between contender and question mark-and the next few weeks will go a long way in determining which direction they lean.