The Seattle Mariners are entering an offseason filled with critical decisions—choices that could shape the direction of the organization not only for the upcoming year, but potentially for several seasons afterward. Now that the World Series has concluded, the official offseason window has begun, ushering in the first rush of roster activity across Major League Baseball. Clubs have already begun adjusting payroll calculations, identifying needs, and holding early internal discussions about the free-agent market. Seattle is no exception.
MLB released its official list of players who are now on the open market, and four names from the Mariners appeared: Josh Naylor, Eugenio Suárez, Caleb Ferguson, and Luke Jackson. All four are veterans, and their arrival at free agency forces Seattle’s front office into a period of evaluation. The organization must weigh performance, cost, projected role, age, clubhouse presence, and alternative options, all while navigating the competitive nature of free agency, where even teams with money to spend must make difficult, sometimes unpopular decisions.
Two of Seattle’s free agents—Caleb Ferguson and Luke Jackson—are relief pitchers who contributed in varying degrees throughout the season. While every bullpen can always use dependable arms, especially during the long grind of a 162-game season, neither Ferguson nor Jackson looks like a priority to retain. Seattle’s front office has shown a consistent willingness to rebuild its bullpen annually, often replacing mid-tier relievers with low-cost options found through trades or internal development.
The Mariners have had success uncovering breakout bullpen candidates in recent years, and that track record—combined with financial considerations—reduces the likelihood of Seattle bringing these two relievers back, barring extremely team-friendly deals. The organization just doesn’t have a compelling reason to devote payroll to relievers who can be replaced affordably.
That’s where the conversation becomes more complicated, because Josh Naylor and Eugenio Suárez are not easy decisions.
Both players arrived in Seattle before the trade deadline in a strategic move by the Mariners’ front office. Seattle, poised to make a push toward securing a playoff spot, looked for ways to bolster an offense that struggled with consistency. Naylor and Suárez were attractive targets partially because their clubs—most recently the Arizona Diamondbacks—were willing to move them. Both were in contract years or near contract years, making them more available than they otherwise would have been.
Josh Naylor quickly became a spark for Seattle. Known for his aggressive but disciplined approach at the plate, he gave the lineup a steady presence that had been lacking. Naylor hit for both power and average. He drove balls into the gaps, produced key runs when needed, and added surprising athleticism on the basepaths—stealing bases and showing good instincts. His energetic, confident demeanor brought a jolt to the clubhouse, and fans noticed. He fit naturally into the middle of Seattle’s lineup, consistently giving the Mariners competitive at-bats in high-leverage moments.
His contributions weren’t merely statistical; they reflected what Seattle’s lineup needed: reliable contact alongside legitimate power. For an offense that has struggled at times with strikeouts and streaky production, Naylor’s skillset looked like an antidote to those recurring issues. Because of his versatility and youth relative to many free agents, Naylor represents a profile that could remain valuable for several seasons.
Eugenio Suárez, meanwhile, presented a different story. Mariners fans already knew Suárez from his previous, highly productive tenure in Seattle, where he became a fan favorite. His reputation as a “vibes guy” in the clubhouse made him easy to root for. Earlier in the season with Arizona, Suárez once again displayed the power that has defined his career. His first-half numbers suggested a strong offensive campaign.
However, once he returned to Seattle, his consistency at the plate dissolved. The expected home run pop didn’t appear as frequently. He struggled to string together quality at-bats and was unable to replicate the early-season results he posted with the Diamondbacks. Though still defensively capable and still beloved in the clubhouse—both valuable qualities—his offensive downturn makes his future uncertain. Coaches and the front office must now determine whether his latest performance was just a temporary slump or a sign of decline.
Despite those challenges, Suárez still holds potential utility. He’s defensively dependable, he maintains excellent discipline at the plate, and his history of power suggests that he may be one adjustment away from a bounce-back season. Moreover, he’s a leader and a mentor in the clubhouse—traits that don’t show up in stat lines but matter deeply in a long baseball season.
Yet for Seattle, this offseason is not merely about talent; it’s about financial strategy. Payroll flexibility is a major factor in determining how aggressively the team can pursue upgrades in other areas. To improve meaningfully—whether that means chasing a big bat or adding a starting pitcher—the Mariners must allocate payroll carefully. Naylor and Suárez both offer value, but with multiple needs and finite budget space, keeping both may not be realistic.
In that sense, these decisions become a matter of prioritizing return on investment. Naylor projects as the more impactful player moving forward. He’s younger, entering what should be his prime seasons, and his recent performance indicates upward momentum.
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The downside? He will almost certainly command the larger contract. Teams across the league are always searching for players like him: high-contact hitters who also bring power and energy. If Seattle wants to keep Naylor, it may require a multi-year commitment and a salary figure that tightens the club’s financial flexibility for the rest of the offseason.
Suárez, because of his recent inconsistency, likely commands a shorter-term or more affordable contract. That makes him less risky financially, but also means his offensive ceiling may not justify dedicating even a moderate chunk of payroll—especially if Seattle wants to modernize its offensive core rather than rely on players who may already have peaked.
As negotiations begin, Seattle’s front office must decide whether it makes sense to invest heavily in Naylor, bet on a Suárez rebound, or potentially let both walk and seek replacements elsewhere. Mariners fans have seen the organization take cautious, conservative approaches to spending in the past. The question is whether this winter will be different.
One certainty remains: The choices Seattle makes over the next several weeks will significantly influence the trajectory of the 2026 season. A lineup that needs extra firepower cannot afford missteps. If the team retains Naylor and he continues to hit, Seattle gains a cornerstone presence. If they bring back Suárez and he rebounds, the lineup regains a power threat with veteran reliability. If both depart, the Mariners find themselves needing to replace multiple contributors, making the offseason more complicated.
Seattle must balance competitive ambition with fiscal responsibility, weighing immediate impact against long-term planning. This free-agency period isn’t just a transactional moment—it’s a turning point that could define the Mariners’ blueprint moving forward.
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