Compared to some of their recent offseasons, the Seattle Mariners don’t enter this winter with nearly as many glaring weaknesses. The core of the roster remains intact, the rotation is among the strongest in baseball, and most of the team’s foundation is already in place. Still, the front office has plenty of work ahead. Three starting infielders have hit free agency, and while bringing back at least two of them would make sense, a competitive market could easily push the price beyond what Seattle can afford.
The lineup isn’t the only area needing attention. Like most MLB teams, the Mariners face a bullpen reshuffle, and their lack of relief depth may have cost them their first-ever World Series appearance. Fixing that problem is high on their to-do list — but with their payroll constraints, it won’t be simple.
Seattle wants to bolster its relief corps but isn’t willing to overspend. According to Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times, the Mariners are targeting an experienced high-leverage reliever and a dependable left-hander. The criteria are understandable, especially after how the ALCS imploded. In trying to preserve his top arms for a potential showdown with the Dodgers, Dan Wilson turned to Eduard Bazardo in a crucial moment — a decision that backfired and may have been avoided with one more trustworthy late-inning option beyond Matt Brash and Andrés Muñoz.
The Mariners have also struggled with left-handed depth for years. After Tayler Saucedo’s quick decline, Gabe Speier was essentially their lone southpaw for most of 2025. Caleb Ferguson, acquired at the deadline, delivered a solid regular season but imploded in the playoffs with a 16.88 ERA across three appearances.
Seattle also knows exactly how far it’s willing to go financially. They’re benefiting from Muñoz’s team-friendly long-term deal, but Divish reports the front office wants to spread their budget across multiple relievers — avoiding any contracts longer than two years. That philosophy clashes with the current free-agent market, which is top-heavy with elite, expensive arms. Stars like Edwin Díaz, Robert Suarez, and even a rebound candidate like Devin Williams are expected to command $50–$80 million over multiple years — far beyond Seattle’s price range. More realistic options include Kyle Finnegan and Luke Weaver, though neither possesses the dominance of the top-tier choices.
Left-handed options are even scarcer. Taylor Rogers, Andrew Chafin, Caleb Thielbar, and Hoby Milner could help, but they project more as middle relievers or setup men rather than game-changing additions. Of course, bullpens are notoriously volatile, and even modest signings can outperform expectations.
While relief units often get overlooked, the right upgrades could be exactly what the Mariners need to reach the next level. Finding relievers who match their price point and specific requirements won’t be easy, but at least Seattle heads into 2026 with a clear understanding of what they need — and where improvements must be made.