Mariners must take advantage of Red Sox playing chicken with Alex Bregman

The perception of the Seattle Mariners organization -- harsh or not -- is as one that isn't prepared to spend money, given that they apparently only having around $15 million of spare payroll to use this offseason. However, there is still time for the M's to change this narrative, even with only one month to go until pitchers and catchers report.

The Mariners' biggest need is in the infield, save for J.P. Crawford at shortstop, and a quality bat, particularly at second and/or third base, could go a long way. Donovan Solano has signed, yes, and he can share playing time at first base with Luke Raley or man third/second, but even that proposal should leave spots up for grabs. Solano's a nice addition. He may not even be a starter, at this point in time. Luis Castillo has even become a possibility to be shipped out in order to facilitate bringing in help.

However, if Mariners ownership is prepared to be more generous financially, they can at least theoretically sign someone who will immediately strengthen the team, while also not breaking up arguably the best rotation in all of baseball. We're talking specifically about third baseman Alex Bregman, who is currently a free agent, and whose market remains somewhat inexplicably held up.

Alex Bregman, a familiar name to Mariners fans, still needs a home

Bregman is, of course, someone who Mariners fans are well aware of, with him having plied his trade for the past nine years with their hated divisional rivals, the Houston Astros. Now, though, he finds himself looking for a new home, so why not have him stay in the division and move to Seattle?

Certainly the 30-year-old has the type of resume which should entice the Mariners, including two World Series championships, two All-Star selections and a Silver Slugger Award. In addition, last season saw him win the first Gold Glove Award of his Major League career to highlight his continued defensive prowess.

That Bregman is still available, is because he seems to be effectively involved in a game of chicken -- not of his choosing mind -- with the Boston Red Sox. As per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic (subscription required), this approach is apparently influenced by Boston's belief that Scott Boras' client won't want to go north of the border to Toronto, while the Detroit Tigers won't pay him.

We assume Mariners ownership will at least acknowledge Bregman is the type of player who can help them, after accruing an excellent 4.1 WAR last season. People may point to his offensive numbers dipping slightly last season, but they are still better than what the majority of the Mariners lineup managed, highlighted by a total of 26 home runs, his most since 2019.

Alex Bregman represents a chance for Mariners ownership to step up

However, even though the 2015 second overall draft pick would be an ideal fit in Seattle, the issue still revolves around whether Mariners ownership is prepared to fork out the necessary funds to help the club compete. For some context, as per Rosenthal, Bregman reportedly turned down a six-year, $156 million offer from the Astros to remain in Houston, and continues to seek a higher payday.

The Red Sox are hoping that by stalling, and with spring training fast approaching, they can lessen the demands of Bregman, both in terms of amount and length. It's up to the Mariners to take advantage of this stand-off and make their move, though such a thing will necessitate a change in mindset, which is tough to envision happening.

The thing is though, no matter how close Jerry Dipoto says the Mariners are, it doesn't make it any easier -- in fact, it makes it more frustrating -- that they've missed the playoffs by just one game in each of the past two seasons. If ownership isn't prepared to go out and pay a quality player like Bregman who can get the club over the hump, they run the risk of ruining this window of opportunity with an elite rotation.

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