Key Offseason Changes
The Mariners made a significant move to bolster their lineup, signing Josh Naylor to a five-year, $92.5 million contract in November 2025. The power-hitting first baseman provides much-needed middle-of-the-order protection for Julio Rodriguez and Cal Raleigh, addressing a long-standing offensive weakness.
Seattle also acquired reliever Yosver Zulueta from the Reds in January and traded top catching prospect Harry Ford to the Nationals for lefty José Ferrer. The farm system remains elite, ranked #2 in MLB by Pipeline, with shortstop Colt Emerson potentially pushing for an Opening Day roster spot. The Mariners agreed to arbitration deals with six of seven eligible players, including Randy Arozarena ($15.65M) and Logan Gilbert ($10.927M).
The lone concerning note is Logan Evans undergoing Tommy John surgery, ruling him out for the entire 2026 season. Pitching depth signings include swing options like Dane Dunning and Cooper Criswell on minor league deals.
Projected Starting Lineup
| Order | Player | Position | Prop Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Randy Arozarena | LF | $15.65M, leadoff pop, 25+ HR |
| 2 | Julio Rodriguez | CF | Star CF, playing in 2026 WBC |
| 3 | Cal Raleigh | C | 2025 MVP runner-up, elite power C |
| 4 | Josh Naylor | 1B | New 5yr/$92.5M signing, 30 HR power |
| 5 | J.P. Crawford | SS | Gold Glove defense, lineup anchor |
| 6 | Cole Young | 2B | Top prospect, MLB debut expected |
| 7 | Victor Robles | RF | Defensive specialist, platoon bat |
| 8 | Ben Williamson | 3B | Emerging prospect, competing for spot |
| 9 | Colt Emerson | UTIL | Top prospect, could make Opening Day roster |
The heart of this lineup is formidable: Arozarena, Rodriguez, Raleigh, and Naylor represent four legitimate 25+ HR threats. Cal Raleigh's 2025 MVP runner-up campaign established him as the best hitting catcher in baseball, and adding Naylor's bat provides protection that should boost everyone's numbers. The back of the lineup remains question-marked, with Cole Young and Colt Emerson among the elite prospects competing for playing time.
Projected Starting Rotation
| Slot | Pitcher | Throws | Prop Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| SP1 | Luis Castillo | R | Staff veteran, consistent workhorse |
| SP2 | Bryan Woo | R | 2025 All-Star, emerged as ace |
| SP3 | George Kirby | R | Elite control, low walk rate |
| SP4 | Logan Gilbert | R | $10.9M arb, strikeout upside |
| SP5 | Bryce Miller | R | Arb case ($2.625M vs $2.25M) |
The Mariners boast one of the deepest rotations in baseball with five legitimate quality starters. Bryan Woo's emergence as a 2025 All-Star gives Seattle a homegrown ace to pair with the veteran Luis Castillo. George Kirby's elite control (career 4.2% walk rate) makes him a premium strikeout-to-walk prop target. The story of the offseason was Bryce Miller being the only player to file for arbitration, though the gap ($2.625M vs $2.25M) is minimal. Logan Evans' TJ surgery removes rotation depth, but Dane Dunning and Cooper Criswell provide swing options.
Bullpen & Closer Situation
Closer: Andres Munoz enters 2026 as one of the most dominant closers in baseball. His triple-digit velocity and devastating slider combination creates elite strikeout rates. The Mariners should be competitive enough to generate 35+ save opportunities if the lineup improvements translate.
Setup: Matt Brash brings high-leverage heat with swing-and-miss stuff, while Gabe Speier provides lefty balance. The acquisition of Yosver Zulueta from the Reds adds another power arm to the mix. Jose Ferrer, acquired from the Nationals, provides additional depth.
Middle Relief: Carlos Vargas and Eduard Bazardo round out a bullpen that emphasizes velocity and strikeouts. The addition of Cooper Criswell (3.57 ERA with Boston in 2025) gives Dan Wilson a versatile swingman option.