The end of each baseball season brings departures from the roster through free agency and trades. Luckily for the Seattle Mariners, they only have few free agents. They can focus on building around the players they have rather than fielding replacements this offseason.
The M's star-studded rotation and key players are all locked down for at least another campaign, and they have plenty of resources to field a great team.
Offensive additions will be Seattle's highest priority this winter, and some of the squad's impending free agents will open spots for new bats, which they badly need. The Mariners also have some players with contract options — one they have flexibility with and one they do not. Either way, they can start properly forecasting their 2025 season fairly early.
Mariners' free agents after the 2024 season
Justin Turner
Justin Turner came to Seattle at the trade deadline to give its lineup an offensive boost. The veteran slashed .264/.363/.403 over 48 games in a Mariners uniform after batting .256/.350/.372 with Toronto at the beginning of the season.
Turner promised he'll play in 2025 and said he'd be interested in a return with the Mariners. He'll be 40 years old by the time the next season begins, and his play has begun to decline in recent years. Seattle has the resources to sign or trade for more powerful reinforcements at first base and designated hitter.
Yimi García
The Mariners also acquired Yimi García from Toronto at the trade deadline, and his stint in Seattle was far from perfect. He posted four scoreless outings to begin his tenure with the M's, but began to struggle soon after. García's season ended when he was placed on the 15-day injured list with elbow inflammation retroactive to Aug. 20, and he was later moved to the 60-day IL. He pitched to a 6.00 ERA over just nine innings after the deadline.
The Mariners could pursue a reunion with García, but his recent elbow issues increase the risk for the club. There are more consistent relievers on the free agent market Seattle could sign if it needs a replacement, but offensive additions will be the team's highest priority this winter.
Here are the rest of the M's free agents:
- P Jonathan Hernandez
- C Seby Zavala
- 3B Jason Vosler
- P Kirby Snead
- P Chris Devenski
Mariners players with contract options for 2025 season
Mitch Haniger can opt out of his contract before the 2025 season, but he probably won't. Haniger is a former fan-favorite who posted career-worst numbers this season. He slashed .208/.286.334 with a .620 OPS, 12 doubles and 12 homers over 121 games. Haniger is due $15.5 million from the Mariners if he doesn't opt out, but he wouldn't command anywhere near that amount of money on the open market.
Jorge Polanco's contract has a club option for 2025. Like Haniger, he also posted a career-worst year with the M's this season. He slashed .213/.296/.355 with a .651 OPS and he struck out 137 times over 118 games, a much higher rate than normal for Polanco. Seattle has long searched for production at second base, and though Polanco's rough season could be a fluke, it's possible his option is not exercised, even if it's good market value.