5 departing Yankees who would be perfect for Mariners after early October exit

After their ALDS loss to the Toronto Blue Jays, the New York Yankees will have some soul-searching to do this offseason. They have a lot of key players set to reach free agency, and they won't be able to re-sign everyone.

With that in mind, here are five upcoming Yankee free agents who would fit perfectly with the Seattle Mariners, who will also need to replace some departures in the offseason after their own playoff run.

These 5 Yankees would fit the Mariners perfectly

1. Cody Bellinger: OF/1B

Bellinger has revamped his career with back-to-back solid seasons in Chicago and New York. He's not the MVP he was with the Dodgers, but he's a good player, and he is versatile. He's a better Luke Raley, able to provide more value than Raley at the same positions.

Seattle will have a decision to make when it comes to left fielder Randy Arozarena. If they trade him the year before he hits free agency, Bellinger could replace him in left field. They could also sign Bellinger to play first base, but it's likely they would prefer Josh Naylor, who is probably going to be cheaper.

2. Trent Grisham: OF

Another outfielder who could come to Seattle from New York is Trent Grisham. Grisham is coming off a career year in 2025, and it came at the perfect time to earn the veteran outfielder some big money this offseason. Obviously, he would not play center field in Seattle; more likely, he would replace Arozarena after a possible trade.

3. Amed Rosario, INF

The veteran shortstop could play a utility role for the Mariners in 2026, essentially acting as a Dylan Moore replacement. It would depend on how much the club trusts guys like Leo Rivas and Ben Williamson to be their glove-first utility infielders in 2026. If they feel like they need veteran help, Rosario is a name to watch.

4. Luke Weaver, RHP

The Yankees have a lot of talent in their bullpen, but none better than Luke Weaver for much of the last two seasons. He was briefly on the Mariners, and the team would be wise to look into a return. It would be expensive. Weaver has been very good (3.22 ERA, 12 saves) with New York. But adding Weaver into the pen would give the Mariners a potentially devastating big three (with Weaver joining Matt Brash and Andrés Muñoz).

5. Devin Williams, RHP

From 2019-2024, Williams posted an insane 1.83 ERA in 235.2 innings with the Brewers, collecting 68 saves. In 2025, he had the worst season of his career by a mile in New York, allowing a 4.79 ERA in 62 innings. Williams would be a reclamation project, but he would likely be cheaper than Weaver and still has more upside. Seattle's bullpen magic might be perfect for a guy like Williams, who has all the talent to be an elite reliever again in 2026.