Jerry Dipoto's offseason update should encourage Mariners fans at Winter Meetings

After finishing in second place in the American League West and missing the playoffs by the narrowest of margins last season, the Seattle Mariners have entered the offseason with heightened expectations for 2025.

Their starting rotation remains a strength, but the Mariners have clear needs to fill in the infield, the batting order and the bullpen. Speaking to MLB Network Radio hosts Steve Phillips and Eduardo Perez from the MLB Winter Meetings in Dallas, Mariners president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto made it clear that filling those needs is an urgent priority this offseason.

“To be that close and to be left frustrated year after year, it puts us in maybe a more aggressive mindset," Dipoto said. "And we want to figure out a way to get better.”

Jerry Dipoto's offseason update should encourage Mariners fans at Winter Meetings

When asked how he plans to make the team better this offseason – namely, via increased payroll or creativity on the trade market – Dipoto gave a response that's likely to have Mariners fans leaning forward in their seats.

“We do have the ability to add payroll and we do have some financial freedoms,” Dipoto said. “We also have the ability to be creative. This is probably the first year that we’ve been very aggressive in talking to other teams about trade targets that include the upper end of our prospect system.”

Dipoto's comments come on the heels of reports that the Mariners have "expressed willingness" to listen to trade offers for veteran right-hander Luis Castillo – a major about-face from his past comments that largely shut down any speculation that the club might deal from its pitching depth to get a solid return on the trade market.

In addition to publicly stating that the club is open to adding payroll – which is significant – it appears that Dipoto may have finally come around to the idea of parting with a member of his pitching staff if it means it can help the Mariners improve their offense. In reality, he will probably have to do both.

Dipoto is certainly saying all the right things, but talk is cheap. Only time will tell if the M's can put their money where their mouth is and do what is necessary to turn this team into a contender.

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