SEATTLE -- The World Series is still underway, meaning that the Mariners and the rest of the league can’t yet get going on their major Hot Stove transactions, as those are on hold until five days after the Fall Classic between the Blue Jays and Dodgers concludes.
But given that it’s right around the corner, here’s a primer on where things stand in Seattle as president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto and general manager Justin Hollander take center stage.
Which players are free agents? Are any of them likely to receive a qualifying offer?
LHP Caleb Ferguson
RHP Luke Jackson
1B Josh Naylor
3B Eugenio Suárez
Naylor will be the prevailing storyline in Seattle until he signs, either with the Mariners in a reunion that would turn a successful summer fling into a long-term relationship or if the first baseman jets elsewhere, leaving Seattle at the altar.
This is going to come down to the contract itself, because Naylor made it clear in his three months here after the Trade Deadline that he loved the clubhouse and fan base, and -- perhaps more than anything -- he had no fear of hitting at T-Mobile Park, which has long been a detriment to luring free-agent bats.
“I think that the best thing that you can hope for when you acquire someone,” Hollander said, “is they go play great, you go deep in the playoffs, they love it and want to be here. And I think we checked all those boxes, so we'll try and figure it out.”
Naylor is ineligible for the $22.025 million qualifying offer -- which is a one-year deal calculated by averaging MLB’s 125 highest salaries -- because he was traded midseason. The same can be said for Suárez, while Ferguson and Jackson won’t be considered, either.
The Mariners will have more money to spend than in any recent offseason -- in the $30 million to $35 million range for 2026 -- which should give them ample room to bring back Naylor and still address their other needs.
