5 storylines that will define Mariners' 2025 season post-trade deadline

The vibes are good in Seattle right now, thanks to the Mariners' aggressive approach to the trade deadline and only further enhanced by taking the first two games of their crucial home series versus the Texas Rangers. At the same time, fans know the likelihood is that the M's pursuit of the postseason will go down to the wire, just the same as the previous two seasons.

The question is, what will be different and what will it take for the Mariners to secure a playoff spot this time around? Let's take a look at five storylines which will define their season post-trade deadline.

5 storylines that will define the rest of the Mariners' season

1. Cal Raleigh's pursuit of Judge

We just wrote about this on Friday, but it still deserves a spot among our five storylines, as Cal Raleigh attempts to chase down Aaron Judge for both the AL MVP and the all-time AL record of 62 home runs in a season. The Mariners' heart and soul has a genuine shot at both, with the duo seen as the front-runners to win this year's AL MVP award and with Raleigh currently projected to finish with 61 homers.

It would be amazing for Mariners fans if Raleigh achieved either accolade, although the beauty in all of this is that he doesn't actually have to in order to help the team get where it wants to be. As long as he continues challenging for both for the remainder of the season, it should still be enough to help the M's make the postseason even if he falls short, which would probably be just fine with a player who's all about team success over any personal accolades.

2. Geno and Naylor at the corners

Even though the Mariners missed out on star reliever Jhoan Durán, the reality is this year's trade deadline couldn't have gone much better. To get one of Eugenio Suárez or Josh Naylor would have been deemed a success, but to be able to snag two of the better trade targets available was the stuff dreams are made of in Seattle.

The acquisition of the star duo automatically boosted the Mariners lineup and propelled the team to being a genuine contender, to the point that not making it to at least the ALCS would now be perceived by many as a major disappointment. This was the year ownership finally decided to go all-in at the trade lineup, and now it's on Dan Wilson and the players to justify this faith, with both Suárez and Naylor having big roles to play.

3. Julio already on his way to another hot second half

Year after year, Julio Rodríguez gets off to a slow start and then bounces back, but there is an understandably concern that one season he might not actually rebound. Well , it would seem Mariners fans can breathe a sigh of relief (again), as the 24-year-old has been on fire since the final series prior to the All-Star break versus the Detroit Tigers.

In 18 games Rodríguez, has batted .284 and produced eight home runs, 15 RBI, a .986 OPS and 176 wRC+. This is the version of J-Rod who can carry the M's to the promised land of the postseason. When he gets in a zone and plays to his potential, there are few players better in the game. One prime example is August of the 2023 season, when he had a .429/.474/.724 slash line and 1.197 OPS and helped the team go 21-6.

4. Possible return of Víctor Robles

Signing Víctor Robles at the beginning of June last year proved to be a masterstroke by the Mariners front office, as he provided an immediate boost to the lineup by hitting .328/.393/.467 with a .860 OPS and 155 OPS+ in 77 games. As such, plenty of people were devastated when he suffered a left shoulder dislocation while making a stunning catch in the first road series of this season.

The early projections were that Robles could return by September at the earliest, but there was some positive news this past Wednesday, as he hit on the field for the first time since his injury. As per MLB.com's Daniel Kramer, his next steps of diving and sliding will be the most demanding yet, but the 28-year-old says he feels good and you can only imagine how worrying it will be for the rest of baseball if he does indeed return to the lineup this season.

5. Third time's the charm for Bryce Miller

Last season was a breakout year for the unassuming Bryce Miller, as he led the Mariners' Major League-leading rotation with a 3.4 WAR, while also recording a 2.94 ERA and 0.976 WHIP. Unfortunately for the righty 2025 has been a bit of a disaster so far, with his productivity having been severely compromised by elbow issues which have resulted in two stints on the Injured List.

Well, after nearly two months out of action, Miller made his first rehab start on Friday and it was smooth sailing as he allowed just one hit and no walks or runs in 4.0 innings, while also striking out six. He will have two more outings before he returns to the Mariners. If he can be somewhere closer to last season's form this time around, it can only benefit the pitching staff in whatever capacity the team decides to utilize him.