The Seattle Mariners made an early splash this offseason, bringing back Josh Naylor after a strong showing down the stretch last year. That move signaled intent-a front office looking to build on a near-miss of historic proportions. But since then, things have quieted down in the Pacific Northwest, and fans are starting to wonder: is that it, or is there more to come?
According to recent reports, the answer is yes-Seattle isn’t done yet.
The Mariners were reportedly in the mix for Japanese slugger Kazuma Okamoto before he ultimately signed with the Blue Jays. They also engaged in talks with Arizona about Ketel Marte, one of the most dynamic second basemen in the game, before the Diamondbacks pulled back. Those conversations didn’t bear fruit, but they paint a clear picture: Seattle’s front office is still hunting for infield help.
Two names remain firmly on their radar-Brendan Donovan of the Cardinals and a familiar face in Eugenio Suárez. Donovan, a versatile left-handed hitter with on-base skills and defensive flexibility, fits the mold of what Seattle’s lineup could use. He’s still a strong trade candidate, and the Mariners have the prospect capital to make a deal happen if they decide to push the button.
Suárez, meanwhile, is no stranger to Seattle fans. After a stint with the Mariners that ended in a trade to Arizona, the club could be eyeing a reunion. He remains a steady presence at third base and brings power, leadership, and familiarity with the clubhouse culture.
What’s driving these conversations is simple: the Mariners were one win away from their first-ever World Series appearance last fall. That kind of heartbreak can go one of two ways-it either lingers or fuels a team. Seattle appears to be choosing the latter, and they’re looking for the right piece to push them over the top.
There’s still some uncertainty about how much financial flexibility the Mariners have left this offseason. But what they do have is one of baseball’s deepest farm systems, and that gives them leverage.
They don’t need to subtract from their major league roster to make a move. With top-tier prospects waiting in the wings, Seattle has the ammo to trade for impact without gutting the core.
So far, the Mariners have lost Jorge Polanco to free agency and traded catching prospect Harry Ford in a deal that brought in lefty reliever Jose Ferrer. They’ve also added Rob Refsnyder, a savvy veteran bat who can provide value in a platoon role.
But if Seattle can land a player like Donovan-or bring Suárez back into the fold-they’ll have checked off one of their final boxes. That would round out a quietly effective offseason, one that keeps them firmly in the mix not just for the AL West crown, but for another deep October run.
The Mariners came heartbreakingly close in 2025. Now, they’re trying to make sure 2026 ends with a different kind of history.