The Seattle Mariners’ upcoming offseason will be one of the biggest in the franchise’s recent memory.

The Mariners missed the playoffs in 2024 for the 22nd time in 23 years. And for the fourth year in a row, their playoff fate was decided in the final week.

Seattle President of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto signed a one-year contract extension to keep him with the Mariners at least until next season. Dipoto has one playoff berth under his belt in the nine years since he joined the front office.

Perhaps that’s why team owner/president John Stanton reportedly gave Dipoto a higher payroll to work with during the offseason. But if that’s the case, it’s all the more frustrating for the team’s fans to see Stanton say Seattle doesn’t plan to target big-name, cash-rich free agents for 2025.

This is not unusual for the Mariners. In fact, it’s become typical at this point. But you’d think that having the best catcher (Cal Raleigh) and the best starting pitching rotation in baseball as well as one of the game’s brightest young stars (Julio Rodriguez) would encourage the team to go after to the superstars and not to waste this core.

Still, Seattle is unlikely to enter the Juan Soto sweepstakes. This is the same team that didn’t even submit an offer to Shohei Ohtani.

There also aren’t many true superstars on the trade market that the Mariners could pursue. At least, not without decimating a farming system considered one of the best in the sport.

On October 11, I wrote a column about three players Seattle should target: Yandy Diaz, Alex Bregman and Pete Alonso. I think these are players the Mariners should pursue.

However, there are two names that probably fit the M’s just as well, or even better.

The total funds and package to get both players wouldn’t be cheap. But it wouldn’t be too steep either.

Josh Naylor, first baseman, (Cleveland Guardians)

There has been smoke surrounding a Naylor move to Seattle for almost a year. The Mariners are reportedly interested in acquiring the powerhouse first baseman during the 2023-24 offseason. Naylor is only 27 years old and is coming off an All-Star year where he hit .243 with 31 home runs and 108 RBIs.

Naylor is in the final season of his contract with the Guardians. It would probably take a lot less to get him to Seattle compared to last year.

Naylor’s home runs and RBIs were both single-season career highs. But his batting average has dropped from .308 in 2023.

Naylor is expected to earn $14.2 million in arbitration according to Spotrac.

Even if it’s just a one-year rental, his power and consistent contact would be an instant boost to a lineup that has often left riders stranded in 2024.

Wily Adames, shortstop, (Milwaukee Brewers)

The Mariners already have a starting shortstop in team captain JP Crawford. And I don’t expect them to move on from him until the 2025 season.

Adames is coming off the best offensive season of his career. He played in 161 games and hit .251 with 32 home runs and 112 RBIs while stealing 21 bases. His home runs, RBIs and steals were all single-season career highs.

Instead of spending big money on Alex Bregman, who is expected to make $30 million per year on (at least) a five-year deal according to Spotrac, Seattle can save money by signing Adames and playing him at third or second base. Adames is expected to sign a six-year, $152.2 million contract, according to Spotrac. That’s about $5 million less per year than Bregman.

Adames hasn’t played any position other than shortstop since playing 10 games at second base for the Tampa Bay Rays during his rookie season in 2018.

Adames isn’t the cleanest defender. He committed 20 errors last season in 547 chances (.963). But Mariners coach Perry Hill has been able to coach many players at multiple positions. He helped turn Josh Rojas into a Gold Glove caliber defender at third base this season. Adames has been a professional for seven years and Hill is an experienced and respected trainer. Defending Adames in a new position likely won’t be a major concern.

Right off the bat, there is the issue that Adames has options in free agency. Including ones where he can continue to play shortstop. He’s been linked to the Los Angeles Dodgers (who are in need of a shortstop) for months. And as we saw last year, the Dodgers aren’t afraid to spend big money on free agents. This is the same team that spent a billion dollars on free agents last season.

If Adames joins a team where he has to change positions, the New York Yankees are an option. The Yankees will need to find a second baseman with Gleyber Torres hitting free agency. And they have funds to bring Adames to the Bronx.

Seattle would need a great pitch to get Adames to choose the Pacific Northwest over Los Angeles or New York.

This is why it would be imperative for the Mariners to acquire Naylor as quickly as possible. You must get at least one.

Outlook

The Mariners would have solved third and first with the additions of Adames and Naylor. Second base is still a question mark, but at this point I’m of the opinion that it would be better to let Ryan Bliss or Cole Young start at second rather than going with another stopgap option.

Adames and Naylor would add at least 45-50 home runs to Seattle’s lineup and over 200 RBIs.

If the Mariners can get both, or players of their caliber, the offseason would be a resounding success. There aren’t many scenarios in which Seattle can add two top-tier bats without breaking the bank.

And that would probably be enough to give Mariners fans hope for 2025.

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