Mariners insider says ‘everything is on the table’ for Jerry Dipoto this offseason

For the last couple of years, the Seattle Mariners have become known for having a tremendous pitching staff and a rather questionable offense. Some of that is just a function of their home ballpark, which isn't exactly known for being offense-friendly, but it also doesn't hurt that guys like Logan Gilbert, George Kirby, Luis Castillo, Bryce Miller, and Bryan Woo are going to take advantage of the dimensions.

The problem is that having a great rotation hasn't been enough for Seattle to break through. The Mariners have missed the playoffs two years in a row now and finished in the bottom 10 teams in the league in runs scored in 2024. No matter how good one's pitching is, that is not a recipe for getting to the postseason.

As a result, there has been a lot of discussion about the Mariners adding the impact bat they desperately need this offseason. The problem, of course, is that Seattle can't spend a ton in free agency which makes the trade market their only real option.

To get a big name, it sounds like the Mariners and Jerry Dipoto could do the unthinkable and dip into their substantial starting pitching depth.

Mariners Rumors: Jerry Dipoto to wheel and deal this offseason?

Obviously the Mariners and Dipoto are saying all of the expected stuff. As soon as the decision was made to keep Dipoto around, the team talked up the direction the franchise was headed and that payroll was expected to increase. Dipoto has gone on the record saying that the last thing he wants to do is trade from the Mariners' rotation strength. However, he also importantly said that "we’ll go into every offseason open to whatever ideas might make us better.”

Per Adam Judge of the Seattle Times, "industry sources have said the Mariners have positioned themselves at the beginning of the offseason as 'open to anything' in potential trade scenarios."

Seattle can't really throw money at their offensive problems despite the upcoming modest payroll increase because of the arbitration raises they are going to have to hand out. With their farm system also not in a great spot, moving one of these starting pitchers is pretty much the option to import a big bat unless the team defies its self-proclaimed expectation of not making a big signing.

Does this mean that the Mariners are going to swing a monster trade this offseason? Sadly no. Seattle has taken a very measured approach the last couple of years and they could just bank on bounce-back years from players like Julio Rodriguez and Mitch Haniger. However, Dipoto joined the Mariners after creating a reputation for himself as one of the league's true trade psychos. It would be fun to see what he could do if he decided to put one or more of their talented arms on the trade block.

More Mariners News from SoDo Mojo