What the Mariners Should Target in the 2026-27 Offseason

Despite significant expectations, a Mariners team that has a win-now core did not make it back to the playoffs in 2026. Now, with one big piece going to free agency and potentially more changes on the horizon, Seattle will need to shore up the roster, aside from bringing in a new manager.

Biggest needs for Mariners

In a hypothetical world, a right-handed bat would be an ideal pickup for the Mariners this winter.

Seattle’s offense, over the past few years, has been one of baseball’s most mercurial. Thanks in large part to the likes of Cal Raleigh and Julio Rodriguez, the Mariners have been a top home run-hitting team. Turn back the calendar one year, and Seattle finished third in MLB in home runs (238). This past year, the club slid to a tie for 16th (182).

Now, third base likely won’t be a target spot, even though Seattle’s third basemen combined for an OPS of .582 this season, the worst in the league. Brendan Donovan, the big add for Seattle over the past winter, hit well but only played 39 games due to injury.

It was also a tough first sled for Colt Emerson, who slashed .190/.246/.335 (.581 OPS) over the first 69 MLB games in his career. Since Seattle locked him up to a long-term deal, he’ll likely be a piece to play with in 2027, assuming he makes the Mariners’ Opening Day roster.

The problem is, aside from Rodriguez, switch-hitter Raleigh, and rookie Michael Arroyo, the Mariners are a very heavy left-handed hitting team. Josh Naylor, Dominic Canzone, Cole Young, rookie Lazaro Montes, Donovan, and Emerson are all left-handed bats.

Randy Arozarena is a right-handed hitter but he’s going to free agency this winter. An optimal solution would be to bring in another right-handed hitting outfielder to fill in that gap.

Seattle’s rotation is fine, as Bryan Woo, Bryce Miller, and George Kirby still have team control. Kade Anderson is a rookie. Logan Gilbert is the big one that the M’s must contend with, as he will have one more year of team control (2027) before he can walk into free agency.

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