The Seattle Mariners have spent many of their offseasons trying to figure out how they can break through for a playoff berth. This time they’re trying to figure how they can get back to the postseason and take the next step by reaching the World Series.
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The M’s have some holes on their roster to fill this offseason in order to take that next step, and they could start address those needs starting Thursday when MLB free agents become available to sign deals with new teams.
With free agency about to start, here’s a look at some of the position players Seattle could target. For this exercise, we aren’t including Mariners players who have become free agents. Otherwise, first baseman Josh Naylor, third baseman Eugenio Suárez and potential free agent second baseman Jorge Polanco would appear on the list below.
Kyle Tucker, OF
Tucker figures to be the hottest commodity on the market, and for good reason. The 28-year-old outfielder has an .895 OPS and 152 wRC+ over the past two seasons, and his 8.7 fWAR during that span is the most of any free agent position player, despite the fact Tucker missed three months with a fractured shin in 2024.
The former Astros and Cubs right fielder would be a fit for any team, but he will come at a hefty cost. In a survey of league scouts by ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel, the average projection for a Tucker deal was 10.1 years for $391.5 million.
Alex Bregman, 3B
Bregman is a perfect fit for the Mariners on paper. He’s a plus hitter with little swing and miss, plays great defense and is coming off a strong year in which he posted a 125 wRC+ and 3.6 fWAR over 114 games in his only season in Boston. Plus, he’s known for being a great leader in the clubhouse and has 102 games of playoff experience.
But would Bregman ever want to come to a city where he’s been constantly booed throughout his career? There’s also the cost factor to consider. Bregman just opted out of the final two years of a three-year, $120 million deal. Baseball America projects the three-time All-Star is in line for a six-year, $180 million deal that would take him through his age-37 season.
Ryan O’Hearn, 1B
O’Hearn is perhaps the most realistic “plan B” at first base for the Mariners if they’re unable to re-sign Josh Naylor. The 32 year old was a first-time All-Star this year and produced career bests with a 127 wRC+ and 3.0 fWAR with Baltimore and San Diego.
There could be some concern as to whether or not the left-handed-hitting O’Hearn is an everyday player, though. He had struggled to hit left-handers throughout his career before posting a career-best .832 OPS against them in 2025. But the fact that he’s a strong-side platoon makes that risk a little easier to take on. Baseball America projected O’Hearn for a three-year, $45 million deal.
Willi Castro, UTL
Castro’s offensive numbers don’t jump off the page. He’s never posted above a 107 wRC+ in a full season or had an OPS above .750. However, the 2024 All-Star has positional versatility that the Mariners have shown they value. Castro has played at least 88 games at every position except catcher and first base in his seven-year big league career. His overall defensive numbers are pretty bad with a career minus-47 defensive runs saved, but nearly half of that is from his time playing shortstop, which he likely wouldn’t play much of in Seattle.
Ultimately, the 28-year-old switch-hitter’s positional flexibility could come in handy for a team that has a slew of talented prospects who are expected to reach the majors over the next couple of years like the Mariners. He’s projected for a two-year, $22 million deal by Baseball America.
Munetaka Murakami, 3B/1B
Murakami isn’t a free agent yet, but multiple reports have indicated the Japanese slugger will be posted by the Yakult Swallows of the Central League in Nippon Professional Baseball this winter. Murakami became the NPBL’s youngest triple crown winner as a 22 year old in 2022. He hit 56 home runs that year, an NPBL record for Japanese-born players. He was also a hero for Team Japan during their run to the 2023 World Baseball Classic title.
The 25 year old had shoulder surgery last December and missed time in 2025 with an oblique injury, but he still hit 22 homers in 56 games. The concern with Murakami, however, is his 28.8% strikeout rate over the past three seasons. Baseball America projects Murakami to get a seven-year, $140 million deal, which would be the longest and most expensive contract in terms of total value given to a Japanese position player in MLB history.
More Seattle Mariners coverage
• This is a big week for the Seattle Mariners and Jorge Polanco’s future
• Seattle Mariners catcher Mitch Garver becomes free agent
• Seattle Mariners’ Julio Rodríguez falls short of first Gold Glove
• Why a pitcher trade may finally be a part of Seattle Mariners’ offseason
• M’s fans should be ready for an uncomfortable Josh Naylor free agency
