Mariners Winter Meetings 2024: What to expect in free agency and on trade market

Every December, executives from all 30 MLB teams convene to conduct free agent and trade negotiations. This happens over a span of few days dubbed the "Winter Meetings" and it's a tradition that stretches all the way back to 1876. While contracts can be signed at any point throughout the offseason, expect a flurry of activity from around the league.

The last time the Mariners made a big splash during this time was signing Robinson Canó to the largest contract in franchise history, a deal worth $240 million over 10 years. With Juan Soto officially off the table, things could finally get moving for Seattle and moves to acquire smaller but still significant pieces could be in play. After all, other than trading for Austin Shenton, the team has yet to make any additions to their major league roster.

Unfortunately for fans, there might not be much hope for drastic measures. Towards the end of last season, president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto stated that the organization wasn't planning on making any major moves, claiming "we've always believed in the foundation of this team." More recent quotes gathered after the first day of this year's Winter Meetings only seem to enforce this attitude of passivity from Seattle.

“We've not really gone past surface level in just about anything outside of free-agent pursuits, and to that end, I would say that we’re not in the red zone on anything.”

Mariners Winter Meetings 2024: News, updates, Rule 5 Draft, Draft Lottery

While Dipoto's optimism is admirable, there are clear gaps in the current roster. Perhaps the team's greatest need is for infield help. After a slew of non-tender decisions, they're without a starting third baseman. They have Luke Raley and Dylan Moore listed at the top spots in the depth chart for first and second base, but there's still plenty of room for improvement in those areas as well. Because of the lack of alluring, cost-effective free agent options, Seattle seems more likely to swing a trade with the Phillies or the Cubs to get the supplemental bats they need.

As for other notable occurrences, the MLB Draft Lottery will take place Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. ET and will be followed Rule 5 Draft on Wednesday, Dec. 11 at 2 p.m. ET.

Even if this week of frenzied baseball deals comes to a close without any forward progress for the Mariners, the best things could still be yet to come.

Although he has already been officially posted, Roki Sasaki will not sign a contract until after the international signing period begins on January 15. However, he could begin negotiating with teams as early as December 15, giving him a month to consider the litany of offers he'll undoubtedly receive. Because of the size of their international bonus pool and fit with Sasaki's other personal preferences, the Mariners have been listed as one of the potential top landing spots for the Japanese pitching phenom. Unfortunately, that means fans will have to wait a little longer to unwrap what may be the only Christmas present they'll receive from the Mariners this year.

For now, internalize all those rumors and let's hope they materialize into positive momentum for the M's.