Sad News: Seattle Mariners Face More Offseason Losses as Key Contributors Depart
The Seattle Mariners are navigating a difficult offseason as several important contributors from their strong 2025 campaign are no longer on the roster, creating fresh questions about the club’s outlook heading into 2026.
Following a memorable season that saw the Mariners reach the American League Championship Series and compete deep into October, several key players have either hit free agency or moved on from the organization. Fans hoped the core that nearly reached the World Series would remain intact, but the realities of contracts and roster construction have led to turnover. (ESPN.com)
One significant departure already confirmed is second baseman Jorge Polanco, who signed with the New York Mets this offseason after declining his player option with Seattle. Polanco’s exit is a major loss for the Mariners, as he was a key offensive catalyst in 2025, batting 26 home runs and posting an .821 OPS while providing veteran leadership in the clubhouse. His decision to move on leaves a void both at the plate and in the middle infield. (SI)
In addition to Polanco, there is growing uncertainty surrounding the future of Eugenio Suárez, the veteran slugger who had been reunited with the Mariners at the 2025 trade deadline. Suárez enjoyed a resurgent season with Seattle, finishing with impressive power numbers and becoming a fan favorite after his emotional return. However, reports have surfaced that Suárez could test free agency and may draw interest from other teams, potentially leaving Seattle without one of its top run producers. (SI)
These departures are compounded by the fact that the Mariners have also lost bullpen depth and role players during the offseason, as roster churn continues in the wake of their playoff run. While not all of these moves have yet been finalized or officially announced, the trend points toward a roster that looks markedly different from the one that contended in 2025.
Front office leaders, including President of Baseball Operations Jerry Dipoto, have acknowledged the challenges of balancing player retention with financial flexibility and long-term team health. Teams that make deep postseason runs often face difficult decisions in the following offseason, particularly when it comes to arbitration salaries and free agent markets. Seattle is no different, as they weigh bringing back key contributors against the realities of escalating payroll costs.
Despite these departures, the Mariners are not standing still. They have re-signed first baseman Josh Naylor to a significant multi-year contract, securing a key offensive piece through 2026 and beyond. Naylor’s return provides some continuity and star power in the lineup, but it also highlights how the roster is evolving rather than staying intact. (CBS Sports)
Seattle’s front office has also been linked in rumors to potential trades and free agent targets aimed at bolstering the infield and rotation. However, as of now, no blockbuster starter deal with the Yankees or any other rival has been confirmed.
As spring training approaches, the Mariners must both mourn the loss of familiar faces and retool their roster to remain competitive. The departures this winter signal a new chapter for Seattle — one in which the club hopes its young talent, supplemented by strategic additions, can continue to build on the success of recent seasons.
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