A disastrous 2026 left the Mariners far below expectations, and 2027 must be a redemption year. They’ll need core players to bounce back, plus money to spend and pitching to trade.
- Julio Rodríguez, CF: $144MM through 2034 (includes multi‑year club/player/mutual option structure after 2028)
- Colt Emerson, SS: $86MM through 2033 (includes 2034 club option)
- Cal Raleigh, C: $81MM through 2030 (deal includes 2031 vesting option)
- Josh Naylor, 1B: $76MM through 2030
- Seranthony Domínguez, RHP: $12MM through 2027 (includes $2MM buyout on 2028 mutual option)
- Andrés Muñoz, RHP: $9MM club option with no buyout
- Víctor Robles, OF: $9MM club option with $500K buyout
- Bryce Miller, RHP: $6.075MM club option with $15K buyout (Miller can be retained via arbitration even if option is turned down)
2027 financial commitments (assuming Muñoz option is picked up): $69.515MM
Total future commitments (assuming Muñoz option is picked up): $408.515MM
Arbitration-Eligible Players (service time in parentheses; salary projections via MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz)
Non-tender candidates: Wisdom, Rucker, Criswell
The 2026 Mariners were arguably the league’s biggest letdown. They weren’t the worst, but sky‑high hopes turned sour after a near‑World Series run in 2025. Entering 2026 as AL favorites, they stumbled, finished below .500 and missed the postseason.
What makes it maddening is the open lane they had. Every AL West rival also faltered, yet Seattle could have coasted into the playoffs. Even an 82‑win season would have sufficed, but the club managed only 76.
Dan Wilson won’t return as manager, and the overhaul extends to bench coach Manny Acta, infield coach Perry Hill, hitting coach Kevin Seitzer and first‑base coach Eric Young Jr. Front‑office stability seems likely, as owner John Stanton publicly backs baseball‑ops chief Jerry Dipoto. In my view, the Mariners must prioritize pitching depth to compete.
Nine Mariners logged at least 160 plate appearances in 2026, but merely two posted a wRC+ above 106. One is free‑agent Randy Arozarena; the other, Dominic Canzone, remains under contract.
Cal Raleigh, a former MVP contender, slumped to a .182 average and 95 wRC+ in 2026. After an early oblique issue he rebounded post‑All‑Star, posting a .196/.324/.435 line, 120 wRC+, 14 homers and a 14.8% walk rate.
Julio Rodríguez saw his home run total drop by ten and his wRC+ dip to 104. Josh Naylor’s power halved, falling from 20 to 10 homers as his wRC+ slid to 95.
Colt Emerson can’t yet be labeled a bounce‑back story; his major‑league debut was rough. A 6.2% walk rate and 34.4% strikeout rate accompanied a .190/.246/.335 slash line.
Later reports revealed Emerson played through a wrist injury that later required surgery, explaining his subpar output. In the minors (2023‑25) he posted a 13.1% walk rate, 17.4% strikeout rate and a .287/.398/.442 line with 132 wRC+. Hopefully his wrist heals and his performance spikes next season.
J.P. Crawford is entering free agency. Emerson’s debut was rough, Naylor fell short, and Brendan Donovan stayed healthy enough for only 39 games. Cole Young delivered a mixed defensive picture—top in DRS but low in OAA—while his 17 homers came with a modest 6.9% walk rate, yielding roughly league‑average offense.
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