2024 Mariners Offseason Plan: Swing for Juan Soto

Let's review this Mariners Juan Soto Plan 

With these projected additions, here's how the roster looks heading into Opening Day.

Projected Rotation and Lineup 

Rotation

1: Luis Castillo
2: George Kirby
3: Logan Gilbert
4: Bryan Woo
5: James Paxton

Returning

Robbie Ray (midsummer)
Marco Gonzalez (midsummer)

Lineup

1: JP Crawford SS
2: Julio Rodriguez CF
3: Juan Soto RF
4: Adam Duvall DH
5: Lourdes Gurriel Jr LF
6: Cal Raleigh C
7: Geno Suarez 3B
8: Ty France 1B
9: Josh Rojas 2B

Bench

Blake Hunt
Dylan Moore
Ryan Bliss
Dom Canzone

Two of my biggest gripes over the past few years were the lack of cornerstone, franchise players, and the lack of that old dog championship veteran presence to lead the clubhouse while still having some left in the tank. This offseason plan answers both of those concerns.

By adding Juan Soto and Lourdes Gurriel, the Mariners would be adding a top 5 hitter in the game as well as a guy in Gurriel who may not be a blue chip talent but is someone who absolutely raises the floor of this team.

You want veteran, postseason leadership? This roster has it. Paxton has gone the distance with Astros in past playoff performances, while Soto, Duvall, and Gurriel have all had major postseason moments and World Series experience in the past 5 seasons. These are the types of guys you want around Julio Rodriguez, George Kirby, Cal Raleigh.

When you add up the free agent signings and Soto's projected arbitration salary ($33 mil) you're looking at just over $61 million in AAV for 2023, with $48 million coming off the books after the 2024 season. When you take into account Seattle not paying Teoscar Hernandez's projected salary and you consider what Shohei Ohtani will likely command, this one-year push without destroying the future should not financially burden the Mariners (looking at you John Stanton).

Let's make the greatest trade in Mariners history, and go win some banners.

Go M's.