Seattle Mariners fans are frustrated by the team’s lack of significant activity during the offseason. With a self-imposed budget of just $15 million, the Mariners have made minimal moves, acquiring Donovan Solano and a few minor-league players. This quiet offseason comes after the Mariners had strong 90-win seasons in both 2021 and 2022, building hope around a mix of youth and veteran players. However, despite General Manager Jerry Dipoto’s reputation for frequent trades, the team has not been able to break through to the next level of competitiveness.
Despite ongoing struggles with their offense, the Mariners possess one of the most formidable pitching rotations in baseball, with multiple players under team control for several years. This makes them a strong contender for the future. However, the lack of significant improvement to their offense has left fans concerned. The front office has done little to address this glaring weakness, making it unclear how the Mariners plan to enhance their lineup moving forward.
As the offseason comes to a close, the Mariners find themselves in a situation where their lineup is unlikely to change much from the previous year. With many potential targets signing elsewhere, the Mariners are left with a lineup that underperformed in 2024. Their inability to make a major trade or sign an impactful bat has led to questions about how the team will improve offensively, especially given the unchanged roster.
Julio Rodriguez: The Key to Success
Julio Rodriguez remains the centerpiece of the Mariners’ future, but the team will need him to perform at a superstar level for them to reach their goals. While his 2024 season was solid with a 3.8 fWAR and 20 home runs, it didn’t fully reflect his potential. Rodriguez has the tools to be one of the best in the game, with elite speed, Gold Glove defense, and impressive power. For him to reach his full potential, he must improve his contact rate and reduce his strikeouts, particularly by avoiding chasing pitches outside the strike zone.
Mitch Haniger’s return to Seattle after a rough year in San Francisco failed to bring the offensive boost the Mariners hoped for. His performance in 2024 was disappointing, with a career-low .620 OPS and struggles with injuries. At 34 years old, questions are arising about whether his best years are behind him. Haniger is scheduled to earn $17.5 million in 2025, but his value will be determined by his ability to stay healthy and rediscover his power, especially against left-handed pitchers.
Veterans Who Need to Perform
The Mariners will need key veteran players to step up in 2025, especially those who underperformed in 2024. J.P. Crawford, who had a standout 2023 season, saw his production drop last year due to injuries. While it’s unlikely he will replicate his career-best season, a return to a solid, league-average level would help stabilize the lineup. Similarly, Randy Arozarena, who was acquired midseason, needs to do more offensively, particularly in terms of power and base-stealing. The Mariners’ reliance on veterans to perform is even more critical given their lack of major moves this offseason.
While the Mariners are far from a bad team, their chances of becoming a true contender depend on the performance of both established players and newcomers. The pitching staff is among the league’s best, but without a significant boost in offensive production, the Mariners will struggle to reach the upper echelon of the league. Their path to success seems increasingly reliant on internal improvements rather than external acquisitions, making it a risky proposition. Even if the Mariners can field a league-average offense, they will need standout performances to make a deep playoff run and compete for a championship.
