It’s been a quiet offseason up to now for the Mariners, who’ve but to signal a free agent to a significant league deal. They’ve been linked to commerce candidates like Cody Bellinger, Alec Bohm, and Nico Hoerner, and are reportedly listening to provides for Luis Castillo, however president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto got here away from the Winter Conferences with out pulling off any swaps both.
Nonetheless, the Mariners stay looking out for tactics to enhance an offense that completed twenty first in runs scored in 2024. Studies surfaced at the start of the offseason that the membership was on the lookout for infield bats. Earlier this week, Dipoto confirmed that first, second, and third base are all areas of want (per Ryan Divish of The Seattle Occasions). As issues stand, shortstop J.P. Crawford appears to be Seattle’s solely infielder with a assured on a regular basis beginning function.
In response to Divish, the Mariners had been aiming to verify first base off their to-do checklist earlier than the top of the Winter Conferences. That they had beforehand expressed curiosity in each Carlos Santana and Justin Turner, they usually had been apparently keen to supply both veteran a one-year deal this week. For sure, neither fish was biting, however that doesn’t imply Dipoto has given up. On that be aware, Divish provided additional perception into Seattle’s pursuit of Santana and Turner, reporting that the workforce is on the lookout for an skilled hitter who can bat from the fitting facet to separate taking part in time with the lefty-batting Luke Raley. Raley hits properly in opposition to righties however struggled badly in restricted taking part in time in opposition to same-handed pitching in 2024. Turner has had impartial platoon splits all through his profession, and the switch-hitting Santana has accomplished his greatest work in opposition to southpaws. Both may make a productive platoon companion for Raley.
With that stated, one has to marvel if the newly minted Gold Glove winner Santana can be keen to simply accept something lower than a full-time job at first base. He’s coming off his greatest season in 5 years and may not be enthusiastic about a task that will contain splitting taking part in time. Turner, however, thrived in a primary base/DH function for Seattle down the stretch in 2024. He has additionally made it clear that he’d be pleased to return to the M’s. On the finish of the common season, he advised Daniel Kramer of MLB.com in no unsure phrases, “I might like to be again and be a Mariner.”
Then once more, if Santana may be persuaded to register Seattle, he could be the extra impactful participant. Due to his robust protection, he has outproduced Turner over the previous two years in line with each model of Wins Above Substitute. He’s additionally a 12 months and a half youthful than Turner, who turned 40 in November. To that time, Divish recommended the Mariners could be leaning towards Santana in a current look on the “Each day Puck Drop” podcast, saying he believes Santana is their “precedence” proper now at first base.
Talking of righty-batting, veteran first basemen, the Mariners have additionally expressed curiosity in Christian Walker. Kramer reviews the workforce has had “conversations” about signing Walker, although he notes the three-time Gold Glove winner might be out of their worth vary. Certainly, Divish suggests the Mariners have roughly $15MM to $17MM left to spend this winter, barring any trades to chop payroll. Given the truth that Walker turned down the one-year, $21.05 million qualifying provide, he’s certainly on the lookout for a contract value greater than $17MM per 12 months. MLBTR predicted a three-year, $60MM deal for Walker on our High 50 Free Brokers checklist. Whereas he could possibly be a much more helpful addition than both Santana or Turner, that worth will probably be mirrored in his asking worth.
It’s additionally value declaring {that a} participant like Walker actually isn’t going to separate taking part in time with Raley. He’s going to be the on a regular basis first baseman wherever he indicators. Thus, if the Mariners had been to signal Walker, it will push Raley into the designated hitter function. That could possibly be another excuse the match doesn’t make sense. Alternatively, maybe Dipoto may package deal the proficient and cost-controlled Raley with considered one of his higher-priced veterans (equivalent to Mitch Haniger or Mitch Garver) as a solution to get one other workforce to tackle considered one of his fascinating contracts. If he may pull off such a transfer, maybe he may unencumber sufficient payroll to signal Walker with out going over finances.
