3 former Mariners who could return to Seattle for the 2025 season

On the list of eligible free agents this year is a slew of players that are former Seattle Mariners. Some players, like Ty France and Marco Gonzales, had notable tenures, while others, like Emilio Pagán and Hunter Strickland, didn't stick around long enough to be remembered.

With so many voids to fill outside of the rotation and outfield, Jerry Dipoto will have to exhaust his options in free agency (and via trade), but perhaps he can make life easier by reuniting with some familiar faces.

3 former Mariners who could return to Seattle for the 2025 season

1B Carlos Santana

Santana spent the back half of the 2022 season with the Mariners after being traded from the Royals at the deadline. His numbers as a designated hitter were right around league average, slashing .192/.293/.400 over 294 plate appearances, but he managed to help bring the team to their first and only playoff appearance in the past 20 years. More importantly, he hit a crucial three-run home run in the Wild Card series to help Seattle to the ALDS.

Since departing the club, he has spent time with the Pirates, Brewers and Twins, even winning his first ever Gold Glove award for his defensive efforts in Minnesota. Now a free agent, Santana presents an opportunity for an affordable veteran option at first base.

His 109 OPS+ in Minnesota and eight Defensive Runs Saved was enough for 2.5 rWAR, the fifth-highest mark on the team. This means that, despite his age, he's still a valuable asset in the lineup. He has gone on record to say that he's hoping to play for a few more years before hanging up his cleats, and it makes sense because his production is still good. Top quartile plate discipline and swing decision numbers translate to a more collected approach that could benefit a team that sat near the bottom of the standings for strikeouts and batting average.

RP Paul Sewald

A core piece of the Mariners' 2022 season that culminated in a postseason ticket, Sewald was a reliable closer for the two and a half years he spent with the team. He accumulated 52 saves and a 2.88 ERA over 171 2/3 innings, but would be traded at the 2023 deadline to the Diamondbacks. He would go all the way to the World Series with his new team but later lose his closer role in 2024 after suffering an oblique strain and blowing multiple save opportunities.

Despite his age and lackluster velocity, Sewald excels due to his funky delivery and vertical approach angle. Because of his low release point, it allows him to generate a movement profile on his four-seam fastball that makes it quite literally rise by a few inches, simulating the profile of a "riseball" pitch. Not only is this pitch shape unorthodox, Sewald is great at placing the fastball in the upper portion of the zone, further complicating things for opposing hitters.

Now a free agent, he could be a great addition to the back of the Seattle bullpen. Matt Brash has been making great progress but will still miss at least some time due to Tommy John recovery, and Gregory Santos was completely hamstrung in 2024 by persistent injuries. Having someone as reliable as Sewald to serve as the setup man or closer in certain situations could save the Mariners a few games at the start of the season, a difference that could make or break the team's year.

1B Justin Turner

It may be a little premature to call Turner a "former Mariner," but based on his current contract status he technically fits the definition. After solid numbers in Toronto, he was outstanding at the plate for Seattle, posting a 128 OPS+ over 190 plate appearances. He'll be 40 by the time the 2025 season kicks off, which will be a big reason other clubs steer clear of pursuing him. Turner has stated that he wants to continue playing and more importantly, that he is interested in re-signing with the Mariners.

Turner's style perfectly fits his current age and athletic ability, trading bat speed and exit velocity for better plate discipline and more ideal launch angles. His batted balls hit the launch angle "sweet spot" 40.1% of the time, better than 95% of qualified hitters. He also walked 10.9% of the time while striking out at just a 17.6% clip, an approach that the Mariners need to have in their lineup every day. That's not to say he isn't able to hit it out of the park when he wants to.

He will not command a high AAV or a multi-year deal, which could give the Mariners just enough time to pursue or develop other options at first base in a few years rather than suffering with what they currently have. His profile complements both the existing roster and the front office's spending habits, making him a perfect candidate to come back next year.