5 bold predictions for the Mariners in the 2021 season

Mariners bring back Kyle Seager, but on a new contract

As he heads into the final year of his 7 year $100 million contract, Kyle Seager has some work to do if he wants his $15 million club option (which could become $20 million based on performance bonuses) to be picked up.

At the age of 33 and third baseman Ty France just being traded for, it seems unlikely that Seager could perform well enough to make the Mariners pick up his $15 million option. However, I would not be surprised if he comes back to Seattle on a smaller one year deal.

This is not uncommon with players who have spent a long time with a team, as the Yankees just declined a team option of $10 million for Brett Gardner, but brought him back for 1 year $4 million. If Seager’s market is dry next offseason but he still performs at a decent level in 2021, he could take a hometown discount and come back on a one year deal worth, lets say $5-8 million.

Part of bringing Kyle back would also be that the Mariners, who have been rumored to want to spend next offseason, could then go after Corey, Kyle’s brother. Corey Seager, the 2020 World Series MVP, is set to hit free agency in the winter of 2021 and could be a prime candidate for a monster contract in Seattle if his brother returns to the emerald city.

It is certainly a pipe dream, but I have already started to try my best to will it into existence.