As the Seattle Mariners enter what could be the most important offseason in franchise history, the organization is in a position of rare strength. For the first time under president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto and general manager Justin Hollander, the Mariners have a roster with relatively few holes to fill, more payroll flexibility than they’ve ever had in the past decade, and one of baseball’s richest farm systems. Several of their top prospects are expected to make an impact by 2026, giving Seattle both short-term and long-term promise. Years of deliberate roster construction and smart development since the franchise’s 2019 rebuild have positioned them on the cusp of greatness.
The Mariners’ recent success stems from a foundation built around an exceptional up-the-middle core. Catcher Cal Raleigh, shortstop J.P. Crawford, and center fielder Julio Rodríguez headline a group that is among the best in baseball, supported by a steady stream of young arms developed through one of the league’s most consistent pitching pipelines. Though there have been missteps along the way, the overall vision has worked. The team came painfully close to reaching its first World Series this past October, and their current competitive window is as wide open as it has ever been. With a talented, balanced roster and strong organizational infrastructure, Seattle has reached the stage where a bold, win-now move could make the difference between being a contender and becoming a champion.
This is not the time for restraint. The Mariners have built patiently for years, waiting for the right opportunity to strike — and that time has arrived. With payroll room to spare and fan momentum at its peak, they can afford to make a “luxury” acquisition to put them over the top. The front office has always prioritized sustainable growth, but the next logical step is to leverage that foundation and make a high-impact addition that signals a full commitment to winning now. For a franchise that has never won a World Series, this offseason presents a defining chance to change that narrative.
Enter Tarik Skubal, the Detroit Tigers’ ace and arguably the best left-handed pitcher in the sport. Fresh off his 2024 AL Cy Young Award and an even more dominant 2025 campaign, Skubal is entering the final year of team control before free agency in 2026. With his next contract projected to exceed $400 million, the Tigers may consider trading him rather than risk losing him for nothing. If that happens, the Mariners should be at the front of the line. Skubal, who was inducted into the Seattle University Hall of Fame in 2024, would instantly elevate the Mariners’ rotation to elite status and provide the kind of front-line arm that can carry a team through October.
A possible trade package could include right-hander Logan Evans, switch-pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje, and shortstop prospect Felnin Celesten — all Top 100 talents and painful losses for any organization. Yet at a projected $18 million salary for 2026, Skubal would be affordable for one season and could represent the final piece of a championship puzzle. The Mariners came agonizingly close to their first World Series appearance this year, and acquiring a generational arm like Skubal could be the move that finally pushes them to the summit. This is the moment for Seattle to take a calculated leap — to shift from building for the future to seizing it.