Mariners insider's 2025 roster predictions foreshadow more of the same for Seattle

In recent weeks, the Seattle Mariners have given fans a clear glimpse of their strategy for the upcoming season. They're betting big on internal rebounds rather than major roster shakeups. Instead of making splashy acquisitions, the front office doubled down on continuity, highlighted by the decision to bring back veteran infielder Jorge Polanco despite a down year.

This approach signals unwavering confidence in their core players, yet a recent 26-man Opening Day roster projection by Mariners insider Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times raises some serious concerns.

3Of all the roster projections, the one that stands out as a no-brainer is the starting rotation. Bringing back what was arguably the best pitching staff in baseball isn’t just the right move, it’s a cause for celebration. While other areas of the roster may raise questions, the rotation remains a rock-solid foundation, giving the Mariners a legitimate edge every time they take the field.

The hope for bounce-back seasons from Julio Rodríguez, J.P. Crawford, and Jorge Polanco is not just wishful thinking, it’s a necessity for the Mariners' success. However, concerns arise with both Polanco and Luke Raley now expected to take on regular roles at positions where they have limited experience.

For Raley, the challenge will be maintaining the momentum he built last season while adjusting to a new defensive assignment. Meanwhile, Polanco’s transition could also present growing pains, potentially impacting his offensive output. If these defensive shifts prove too disruptive, the Mariners could find themselves in a precarious situation, relying on unproven fits while hoping their offensive production doesn’t suffer in the process.

Another straightforward decision for the Mariners is the outfield alignment, with Julio Rodríguez, Victor Robles, and Randy Arozarena locking down their spots. There’s little mystery here, each brings a well-defined skill set. Similarly, the catching situation is solidified, leaving no surprises behind the plate.

Meanwhile, Mitch Garver and Mitch Haniger are expected to see most of their time in designated hitter roles, maximizing their offensive contributions while reducing wear and tear. With this core group in place, the Mariners have a clear blueprint for their everyday lineup.

This leaves just two projected additions to the position player group, with Divish slotting in recently acquired Donovan Solano and utility man Miles Mastrobuoni. While both bring versatility, their inclusion does little to inject excitement into a lineup already facing significant questions. Instead of a roster that inspires confidence, this projection only amplifies concerns.

Is the Mariners' bullpen built to withstand another grueling season?

Even more troubling is the front office’s primary focus this offseason: bullpen depth. Most of Seattle’s moves have centered around adding relievers with solid minor-league track records and potential upside. The emphasis on fortifying the bullpen is understandable, given its struggles last season, particularly with injuries sidelining key arms like Matt Brash and Gregory Santos. As a result, the Mariners spent much of the season shuffling relievers between Triple-A Tacoma and the big-league club, hoping to find stability in the late innings before inevitably turning to Andrés Muñoz, their undisputed best option to close out games.

While pitching depth is always a priority, the real surprise comes from projecting a bullpen composed entirely of returning Mariners, without a single offseason acquisition making the cut. Given the front office’s emphasis on adding relievers this winter, it’s striking that none of those new arms are expected to crack the Opening Day roster.

Divish’s projected bullpen includes:

• Andrés Muñoz, RHP
• Gregory Santos, RHP
• Collin Snider, RHP
• Eduard Bazardo, RHP
• Trent Thornton, RHP
• Cody Bolton, RHP
• Tayler Saucedo, LHP
• Gabe Speier, LHP

In other words, Divish doesn’t see the likes of Hagan Danner, Will Klein, Casey Legumina, or Shintaro Fujinami breaking through to earn a bullpen spot over the returning arms. While sticking with a familiar group offers continuity, it also raises legitimate concerns about whether the Mariners have truly strengthened their relief corps or if they’re merely hoping for internal improvement.

With injuries already looming, most notably with Matt Brash sidelined and the promising Troy Taylor also expected to miss time, the burden falls squarely on this projected bullpen to hold down the late innings. If they struggle early, Seattle could find itself in a familiar cycle of shuffling arms, desperately searching for stability in high-leverage situations.