Don't be fooled by the Mariners getting linked to prominent slugging free agents

Even in the early stretch of the 2025 MLB season, it's never too soon to take a peak ahead. Teams across the league are already eyeing potential free agents, gauging how future acquisitions could bolster their championship windows. The Seattle Mariners are no different — at least in theory.

Cue the familiar voice in Jim Bowden of The Athletic, who never fails to dangle the free agency carrot in front of Mariners fans. According to Bowden, Seattle could be hypothetical suitors this offseason for some big names: New York Mets slugger Pete Alonso, Japanese corner infielder Munetaka Murakami, and Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Josh Naylor.

Exciting, right? Sure...until you reflect on the Mariners recent pattern. 

Mariners fans should remain skeptical of big free agent buzz

Raise your hand if you've seen this movie before. Mariners fans sure have. They’ve seen all the clickbait. And more often than not, they've watched ownership and the front office turn and walk the other way when the bill comes due.

Here’s a sobering reminder of Seattle’s actual free-agent spending in recent years, as per Spotrac:

• 2025 offseason: $11.25 million
• 2024 offseason: $29.25 million
• 2023 offseason: $8.92 million

That's the bottom-tier among MLB contenders. So what gives anyone the confidence that 2026 will break from tradition?

Quite frankly, it shouldn’t — not when you consider what’s looming on the Mariners' own financial horizon. Logan Gilbert and George Kirby, two cornerstones of the rotation and major contributors in arguably the best pitching rotation this franchise has had in years, are about to get expensive. Gilbert will enter his third year of arbitration in 2026, and Kirby follows close behind in year two. Their market value is only trending up.

That's where the franchise's identity comes into play. Seattle has built its modern success on elite pitching, player development, and internal extensions. This is a front office that believes in locking up arms before gambling on bats. It’s hard to argue with that logic — especially with Gilbert and Kirby performing like frontline aces.

Of course, Bowden’s assessment isn’t wrong here — the Mariners do need help at first base. In fact, they need it right now, not just next winter. But if it’s a choice between doling out $150-plus million to someone like Alonso, or putting that capital toward ensuring Gilbert and Kirby remain in Seattle long-term, the answer should be clear.

And with prospect first baseman Tyler Locklear waiting in the wings, why not see what you’ve got there first? He fits the Mariners’ model. Internal development, cost control, and upside.

By all means, go ahead and float the Alonso and Murakami rumors. But if you’re asking Mariners fans to believe 2026 will be any different than years past, you’ll need to show more than names on a wishlist.