Grading Mariners' 2025-26 offseason after long-anticipated Brendan Donovan trade

Pitchers and catchers will be reporting on February 12th for the Mariners, meaning they're likely done making moves this offseason.

The 2025 team was the franchise's best in decades. Based on how many meaningful additions they've made this offseason, it looks like they're only going to get better in 2026. It's risky to be optimistic about a team that has fallen short so many times in a row, but this may finally be the big year for Seattle baseball.

Seattle Mariners Offseason Grade: A

The Mariners solved two of their biggest positions of need in significant ways. Josh Naylor's contract was signed quickly, but the recent Brendan Donovan acquisition took months to materialize. Rumors about how Seattle would fill the infield vacancy swirled for months. A deal with the Cardinals was finally done on Monday, giving the Mariners strong options in the infield.

Unfortunately, there's still a weak spot in the lineup. The depth chart currently lists Donovan at third base and Cole Young at second base. It's a sensible decision, as Donovan has played the hot corner in the past and Seattle still has high hopes for a prospect of Young's quality. However, the latter still has plenty to prove in his sophomore season, especially at the plate.

They also added meaningful big league depth in the form of reliever Jose A. Ferrer and Rob Refsnyder, both of whom are slated to fill very specific roles for the team. Ferrer will give Dan Wilson another southpaw option to rely on in late innings while, Refsnyder's platoon splits could make him a huge financial steal at just $6.25 million.

As we all know, there's no such thing as a free lunch and the Mariners did have to concede some young talent to make these moves happen. The most notable name to be traded away was Harry Ford who was sent to the Nationals in exchange for Ferrer. In addition to sending switch-pitching phenom Jurrangelo Cijntje and Tai Peete to St. Louis, the Mariners also sent Ben Williamson to Tampa Bay.

But Seattle still has all of its most exciting prospect names. Lazaro Montes, Kade Anderson, Ryan Sloan and the crown jewel, Colt Emerson, were safely retained and can be used to drive trades at this year's deadline if needed. The farm system remains strong and at the very least, the Mariners won't have a problem calling on young talent in the back half of the season.

The best part (at least for ownership) is that payroll remained relatively unchanged. Even after adding Donovan, the Mariners' 40-man payroll is estimated at $162.1 million according to Cot's Contracts, slightly less than last year's total of $167 million. This is thanks to affordable contract terms for the team's new free agents and pricey contracts like Mitch Garver coming off the books.

It's one thing to be a good roster on paper, but the team will have to prove it over the course of 162 regular season games. Regardless of how the season unfolds, the front office's aggressive maneuvers signal that the organization is finally ready to operate like a true postseason contender. With the team's young stars steadily hitting the prime of their careers, it has never been a better time to be a Mariners fan.