Mariners offseason thread 2025-26

[sutz]

Was never real high on bringing Polo back, though I could have lived with it, I guess. $20mil/year is kinda steep for him IMHO, at least on our team. Looking at our prospects, the infield is kinda crowded if we want to give the young guys playing time. Playing too many rooks can be a bit of a problem, but with Naylz and JP maybe we'd be OK with a couple of rooks.

 

[NoGain]

But we do most definitely need another solid veteran bat to add to our lineup. We're short, and depending upon low cost rooks is not going to cut it. I wonder what Jerry is going to come up with, or try to sell us on.

 

[Crizilla]

Don't like it. A lefty who hit well in the playoffs.

 

[IndyHawk]

Don't like it. A lefty who hit well in the playoffs.

Colt Emerson and Cole Young both bat left, might as well
get used to those two names now, the future has arrived
with more coming.

 

[AnimeAmore]

So glad we didn't pay him $20M per for 2 years. It's safe to assume that at least one of those years will be a disappointment. When you're trying to build a winning team you don't want to be giving out contracts like that. Much happier with Naylor's contract.

 

[Crizilla]

the future has arrived

That's why I'm worried. Ms are in win now mode. Having 3 youngsters in the infield is a huge risk. I highly doubt any of them have an OPS higher than .800 like a healthy Polanco did. I'm rooting for them like crazy especially Emerson since he probably takes JP's spot in 2027.

 

[sutz]

Williamson, JP, Cole, Naylz. What 3 rookies?

 

[Crizilla]

Emerson wont be on in the opening day roster but he probably gets called up during the season. Even with just Cole and Williamson theres still no slugging there. Now I'm really hoping they keep Geno.

 

[Atradees]

Mets wanted Polo. 20 million a season? Good luck with that way overpay. Marte is cheaper. There is that. The Mets are going to play him at 1st base. Even Mets fans are baffled.

 

[Chapow]

That's why I'm worried. Ms are in win now mode. Having 3 youngsters in the infield is a huge risk. I highly doubt any of them have an OPS higher than .800 like a healthy Polanco did. I'm rooting for them like crazy especially Emerson since he probably takes JP's spot in 2027.

Strongly agree with this. Williamson and Young both had an OPS of basically .600 at the major league level last season. That's absolutely horrible. The average OPS in MLB last season was .719, and that was average, not good.

If they are effectively replacing Polanco (.821 OPS) and Geno (.824 OPS) with Williamson (.604 OPS) and Young (.607 OPS), that's a massive downgrade at 2 positions and I would fully expect this team to take a large step back from WS contenders to scratching and clawing for that 3rd WC spot, but probably coming up short.

 

[Chapow]

I'd much rather see them go with Rivas over Young or Williamson (if those are the options). At least Rivas has a respectable .721 OPS and 113 OPS+, and a very good .387 OBP.

 

[Steve Hawk]

Strongly agree with this. Williamson and Young both had an OPS of basically .600 at the major league level last season. That's absolutely horrible. The average OPS in MLB last season was .719, and that was average, not good.

If they are effectively replacing Polanco (.821 OPS) and Geno (.824 OPS) with Williamson (.604 OPS) and Young (.607 OPS), that's a massive downgrade at 2 positions and I would fully expect this team to take a large step back from WS contenders to scratching and clawing for that 3rd WC spot, but probably coming up short.

Exactly right, you absolutely can't have a .600 OPS at 3rd base. Youngs defense is nothing special at 2nd either.
How about we package Young, Logan Evans and Hancock for Brendan Donovan and sign Issac Paredes to a 1 year 6 mil deal.

 

[sutz]

Willy and Cole were both rookies in their first MLB seasons. Maybe they will get better with some experience. That does happen with a lot of players, you know.

Cole has some pop in his bat. He just needs to make more solid contact.

 

[Sperrydogg]

Polanco signs with the Mets. 2 years 40 million. Bummer but that is steep. Also sounds like the Mets are going to play him at first base which is weird

I thought Polanco halfway made up for his bad year but I’m not sad. Forces us to something else which could easily be better

 

[Chapow]

Willy and Cole were both rookies in their first MLB seasons. Maybe they will get better with some experience. That does happen with a lot of players, you know.

Cole has some pop in his bat. He just needs to make more solid contact.

Sure, and maybe they won't get better with more experience. A lot more guys never make it at the major league level than guys that do. Williamson and Young both clearly need more development before they're ready to hit at the major league level. Williamson had a decent BA, but outside of that one single stat, both of their hitting number across the board were waaay below average in literally every single statistic.

I'm hoping to see this team take a step forward. That seems very unlikely to me if they go with a couple of young players at 2B and 3B that struggled badly last season.

 

[bileever]

Cole Young and Ben Williamson both have upsides. They're both really good defensively, especially Williamson. But both of them just moved up to Triple-A at the start of last season.

Young was the Mariners' #1 prospect at one time. He was ranked #56 overall among prospects at the start of last year. Young is only 21.

Williamson was ranked around #15 among Mariner prospects. He's 24, and spent 4 years playing college ball, so he's got a few more years' experience under his belt.

They both have the potential to be better hitters, but neither have much power. It would be foolish to think that either of them could replace Polanco's run production next year.

 

[Blazenhawks]

Cole Young and Ben Williamson both have upsides. They're both really good defensively, especially Williamson. But both of them just moved up to Triple-A at the start of last season.

Young was the Mariners' #1 prospect at one time. He was ranked #56 overall among prospects at the start of last year. Young is only 21.

Williamson was ranked around #15 among Mariner prospects. He's 24, and spent 4 years playing college ball, so he's got a few more years' experience under his belt.

They both have the potential to be better hitters, but neither have much power. It would be foolish to think that either of them could replace Polanco's run production next year.

Honestly I think we have better Prospects in the pipeline then both of these guys. If it was up to me I would Sign Bo then trade both of these guys plus a young arm and go find a 3B that can be here for longer. We also have to remember JP only has 1 more year on his deal and I don't see us resigning him to a long term contract.

 

[DJrmb]

Honestly I think we have better Prospects in the pipeline then both of these guys. If it was up to me I would Sign Bo then trade both of these guys plus a young arm and go find a 3B that can be here for longer. We also have to remember JP only has 1 more year on his deal and I don't see us resigning him to a long term contract.

Yep, Bo is the perfect fit for this team if they would spend the money. He's the rare youngish free agent where you're getting a good chunk of his prime years rather than just paying for past performance. He can play 2nd and SS, and many think 3rd long term as he ages. He doesn't rely on straight power for his hitting.

If they signed Bo and then traded for Marte they could kind of do what Texas did when they went out and got Seager and Semien and won it all, but with a much better pitching staff...

 

[Wsumatt1982]

Mariners Sign Rob Refsnyder

The Mariners add a veteran lefty masher to their outfield mix. MLB Trade Rumors covers the Rob Refsnyder pickup.

www.mlbtraderumors.com

Decent utility outfielder. Nothing special.

 

[SoulfishHawk]

Probably won't even make the team.

/SARCASM