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3 Mariners likely coming up on their final days with the team
Upon the conclusion of the 2024 season, expect to see these 3 Mariners in different uniforms
When people think about roster changes, additions usually take center stage. Everyone wants to know what new faces will have a positive impact on their favorite team but with finite spots available, each addition will require a corresponding subtraction. The Mariners haven't had the results they were hoping for at the beginning of the season and around the trade deadline so further modifications are inevitable. Additionally, some players might also leave of their own volition to pursue brighter pastures in free agency or even retirement.
3. OF Mitch Haniger
The Mitch Haniger contract has been a failed experiment thus far. After signing a three-year, $43.5 million with the Giants, he had just a .631 OPS over 229 plate appearances, dramatically hampered by a fractured right forearm. After he returned to Seattle in the trade to bring Robbie Ray to San Francisco, it was hoped that he would return to being a healthy, productive hitter. His .625 OPS and 84 OPS+ demonstrate how inaccurate that hypothesis ended up being. His defense is around average, currently sitting at -1 Defensive Runs Saved but his fielding range has been severely hampered by his age as shown by his -5 Outs Above Average.
To make matters worse, he has a player option for 2025 which will pay $15.5 million, potentially making him one of the higher-paid members of the team while likely being one of the least productive. While it's doubtful anyone would be willing to trade for Haniger at this point in his career, the Mariners should do whatever they can to get him off their books or at the very least, out of the lineup. If designated for assignment, he'd either be picked up by a new team, outrighted to the minors, or released. Because of his service time, he can also refuse his assignment and elect free agency if he so chooses.
Whatever the path, clearing room in the outfield would be a big boost to the competitiveness of the Seattle squad. With great depth that includes Luke Raley, Victor Robles, and Randy Arozarena, the team would be putting themselves at a disadvantage by giving at-bats to a hitter who's performing below-league average on both sides.
2. RP Yimi García
García was a trade deadline acquisition to add stability to the back of the bullpen after injury uncertainty surrounded Gregory Santos around the time of his return. Luckily, the front office was right to hedge against a return to the IL for Santos as he is back, dealing with right bicep inflammation. Unluckily, the injury bug bit García even harder, ending his season with right elbow inflammation. He was unimpressive in the nine innings he pitched as a Mariner, posting a 6.00 ERA with a 1.22 WHIP and 7.0 K/9.
García will be a free agent in 2025 and is likely looking for a medium-term deal, something in the realm of three years, a common duration for non-closer relievers. Even if he was looking for a one-year deal to get a full season of healthy work to boost his player stock, the Mariners still don't seem to fit as potential suitors. With the amount of rich talent in the bullpen's present and future, there's no real incentive to commit any sort of money to an arm that won't even be responsible for high-leverage innings. Andrés Muñoz is only getting better in the closer role, Matt Brash will be returning next year, and so will Gregory Santos assuming he doesn't become a perennial name on the injured list.
1. 2B Jorge Polanco
What was supposed to be another big bat signing in the offseason has turned into the latest episode of Seattle's curse at second base. While he has been much better than Kolten Wong was in 2023, to say he has been disappointing might even be an understatement. His .630 OPS and 86 OPS+ are far below what he was expected to do and given his lack of overall defensive prowess with -4 DRS, he's not doing much to plead his case.
This is important because his contract carries a $12 million team option in 2025, something the Mariners likely won't exercise, even if his second-half numbers point to a step in the right direction. With payroll already at the upper end of management's spending appetite, every dollar matters, especially 12 million of them.
If they don't choose to pursue a bigger marquee second baseman in the offseason, Leo Rivas had some success at the major league level, albeit playing shortstop. His overall production would still be below league-average but his league-minimum salary would help free up money to be spent on other parts of the roster. The free agent pickings are slim with the most alluring names being Gleyber Torres and Brandon Lowe. Either way, if the front office is really as tight on their budget as has been recently reported, then letting Polanco hit free agency would fit their MO perfectly.