Ranking Mariners’ most likely free agent targets based on Jerry Dipoto’s profile

Since the Seattle Mariners are ostensibly a World Series contender, it should be fair game to have high hopes for how they'll approach this winter's free-agent market. But, alas, history and what's coming from the front office suggest otherwise.

The John Stanton-Jerry Dipoto regime has been in place for a decade now, and only twice have the Mariners broken the bank for a free agent in this span. There was Robbie Ray for five years, $115 million in 2021 and Josh Naylor for five years, $92.5 million last year. Otherwise, Dipoto's free agent shopping has largely been limited to one- and two-year deals for modest dollar amounts.

The latest from Adam Jude of The Seattle Times suggests the Mariners won't be comfortable approaching bigger, more expensive deals for, say, four-plus years and around or over $100 million. If that's the case, a reunion with Randy Arozarena or other big-ticket deals with Seiya Suzuki, Teruaki Sato or Adrian Morejon are more aspirational than realistic.

That said, it doesn't seem likely that the Mariners will sit out free agency entirely. Dipoto has specifically pointed to the selection of relief pitchers as "pretty appealing." Per Jude, the club is also "in the market for a veteran infielder who can play either third base or shortstop."

Armed with this knowledge and MLB Trade Rumors' contract projections, we can at least take some best guesses for six free agents that could be in the Mariners' comfort zone.

3 free agent options that could be in play for the Mariners' bullpen

1. RHP Jonathan Loáisiga

MLB Trade Rumors projection: 2 years, $13 million

Even if his work flew under the radar this year, Loáisiga is indeed relevant again after making 67 appearances for the Arizona Diamondbacks and pitching to a 2.42 ERA. Even if he only struck out 48 batters in 67.0 innings in the process, the pitch for him as a Mariner is the same as it was in October.

Though the strikeouts weren't there this year, the strikes definitely were. He finished the year with a 5.0 BB%, seventh-best among qualified relievers. And since he averaged 97.8 mph on a sinker that led a five-pitch mix, it's possible that there's more swing-and-miss waiting to be uncovered here.

If not, Loáisiga can at least be a better Eduard Bazardo: a guy who comes in and gets ground balls and keeps the ball in the yard.

2. RHP Emilio Pagán

MLB Trade Rumors projection: 2 years, $20 million

Pagán is a free agent because he turned down a $10 million player option with the Cincinnati Reds. There seems to be mutual fondness between the two sides, so luring him away from Cincinnati could be the hard part.

The Mariners can make an effective pitch to Pagán, however. Seattle is where he began his major league career and, given his home (4.35 ERA) and road (2.30 ERA) splits as a Red, swapping Great American Ball Park for T-Mobile Park could have some appeal.

Otherwise, Pagán because would bring a much-needed different look to the Mariners' bullpen. And with 57 saves to go with a 0.961 WHIP over the last two seasons, he could also be a Plan B at closer in case Andrés Muñoz fails to shake off his 2026 struggles.

3. RHP Bryan Abreu

MLB Trade Rumors projection: 2 years, $22 million

This one is a harder sell, and not just because Abreu's projected contract would eat up more of what looks like a limited budget. According to FanGraphs, there's only a $21 million gap between what the Mariners spent in 2026 and what they project to spend in 2027.

The other issue is Abreu's history of control trouble. He's walked 4.3 batters per nine innings for his career, and that rate ballooned to 5.9 per nine innings this year. For a team that prioritizes strike-throwing as much as the Mariners, Abreu could be a firm no-go.

However, the bullpen badly needs more swing-and-miss, and this is where Abreu's 97th-percentile whiff rate from this year speaks for itself. And who knows? Maybe he can be taught to throw strikes.

3 free agent options that could be in play for the Mariners infield

1. SS/3B J.P. Crawford

MLB Trade Rumors projection: 2 years, $16 million

We can be real that this is the first name that sprung to mind as soon as "veteran infielder who can play either third base or shortstop" appeared on the page. And between Crawford and Arozarena, it's Crawford who is more likely to come back.

The price is right, for one. And for two, he loves Seattle and is certainly beloved in Seattle. It's just plain hard to imagine the Mariners without him.

Just as important is that Crawford has opened the door to becoming more of a utility player. If he were to come back, he could keep playing pretty much the same role he played this season: a sometimes shortstop and sometimes third baseman who grinds at-bats at the bottom of the lineup.

2. UTIL Mauricio Dubón

MLB Trade Rumors projection: 2 years, $18 million

Even if the Mariners could have Crawford back for $16 million over two years, would they prefer to have Dubón for an extra $2 million? It's a tough call… unless you come down on the side of Dubón being obviously the right answer.

The Mariners badly need to improve their defense, and Dubón is a two-time utility Gold Glove winner who's a plus defender wherever he plays. For Seattle's purposes, he's at +18 and +2 for Outs Above Average at shortstop and third base, respectively. He can also play second base and all three outfield spots.

Since the Mariners lean heavily to the left side of the plate, it also matters that Dubón is a righty swinger with a .740 OPS for his career against lefties. Even in a worst-case scenario, he would fit nicely in a roving platoon alongside Brendan Donovan.

3. UTIL Edmundo Sosa

MLB Trade Rumors projection: N/A

There a handful of, oh, let's call them "Bargain Dubóns" on the market, including Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Nicky Lopez and Orlando Arcia. But we'll take Sosa out of this bunch, especially if FanGraphs is spot-on with a one-year, $5 million contract projection.

He's another guy who's a plus defender at multiple positions. He's at +17 and +7 OAA for shortstop and third base, specifically, so he's at least on Dubón's level in this way. And while he doesn't have as much experience in center field or right field as Dubón does, Sosa did show this year that he can play left field in a pinch. The Mariners have an opening there as well.

Though he's also a right-handed hitter, Sosa is more of a typical platoon hitter than a guy who can play comfortably in an everyday role like Dubón can. But with an .806 OPS against lefties for his career, Sosa at least has legit bona fides as a platoon bat.

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