Sunday turned into a remarkably eventful evening for the Seattle Mariners, a day that seemed to encapsulate the organization’s busy and forward-thinking approach to the early stages of their offseason. The headlines initially centered around the reported re-signing of first baseman Josh Naylor, a move that had stood at the very top of Seattle’s offseason priority list for weeks. Bringing Naylor back was widely seen as the centerpiece of their winter planning, the kind of foundational decision that could shape the direction of the club heading into 2026. But signing Naylor wasn’t the only activity happening in the Mariners’ front office that night. Rather than calling it a day after addressing their biggest need, the Mariners continued working deep into Sunday evening, demonstrating a deliberate effort to round out the roster strategically and efficiently.
Late that same night, the organization took to social media to confirm a second notable transaction: Seattle had completed a trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers, acquiring 25-year-old left-handed pitcher Robinson Ortiz in exchange for 22-year-old right-handed pitcher Tyler Gough. The deal immediately attracted attention, not only because it involved two young and developing arms, but also because of the intriguing upside Ortiz brings and the specific roster need he may help address. With the move finalized, Seattle added Ortiz to its 40-man roster. At the time of the announcement, the roster sat at 39 players, meaning the group will officially reach its full 40-man capacity once Naylor’s reported agreement becomes official.
The decision to trade for Ortiz was far from random. In fact, it aligned perfectly with one of Seattle’s more quietly important offseason goals: adding another reliable left-handed bullpen option to pair with Gabe Speier. Speier was the lone left-hander who consistently logged significant innings out of the Mariners’ bullpen during the previous season, and while he performed admirably, the club needed greater depth and a second dependable southpaw who could handle leverage situations. For weeks, speculation had circulated that Seattle was surveying the market for left-handed relief help, whether through free agency, trades, or internal development. By acquiring Ortiz, the Mariners may have found a candidate who checks all the right boxes—youth, upside, and cost-controlled team control.
Ortiz’s story is particularly compelling because he has yet to make his major league debut. Despite his lack of MLB experience, the young left-hander has generated interest due to the flashes of potential he displayed throughout the 2024 minor league season. After missing the entire 2022 and 2023 seasons due to injury, an extended absence that would derail many developing pitchers, Ortiz returned this past year with vigor. He threw 59 1/3 innings after managing only 11 the year before, effectively re-establishing himself as a legitimate pitching prospect. Those innings were spread across three levels of the Dodgers’ minor league system: High-A, Double-A, and Triple-A. Despite the varying levels of competition, Ortiz produced impressive results nearly everywhere he pitched.
Most notably, he recorded 72 strikeouts in those 59 1/3 innings, demonstrating a solid strikeout rate that reflects both his stuff and his ability to miss bats. Pair that with his 2.73 ERA, and Seattle’s front office saw enough encouraging signs to justify making him part of their long-term pitching vision. For a franchise that has built its recent success on the strength of its pitching pipeline, both starters and relievers. Ortiz fits the mold of the next wave of arms that could emerge from within the organization.
From Los Angeles’ perspective, the decision to move Ortiz was based less on a lack of talent and more on roster logistics. The Dodgers, fresh off a World Series victory and already looking toward another contending season, find themselves with an abundance of pitchers projected to return from injury in 2026. With rotation and bullpen spots expected to be highly competitive, the Dodgers viewed Ortiz as expendable—valuable, yes, but not essential to their short-term plans. On a roster overflowing with major-league-ready arms, Los Angeles opted to flip an intriguing talent who might otherwise struggle to find an immediate role.
Of course, what is expendable to a stacked Dodgers roster can be incredibly valuable to a team with a targeted need like Seattle. The Mariners recognized the opportunity to add a controllable lefty reliever with remaining development runway, and Ortiz fits that opportunity perfectly.
Meanwhile, in exchange for Ortiz, the Dodgers obtained Tyler Gough, a young right-hander Seattle drafted in the ninth round in 2022. Gough represents more of a long-term developmental play a classic “lottery ticket” arm whose future remains largely unknown but potentially promising. At 22 years old, he missed the entirety of the most recent season due to injury, preventing him from building on the work he had done in 2023. In that previous year, he logged 92 1/3 innings for Class-A Modesto and finished with a 4.33 ERA. His numbers weren’t dominant, but the Dodgers’ strong track record of developing pitching prospects makes Gough the type of arm worth taking a chance on. As teams often say, “you can never have too much pitching,” and Los Angeles is in a position to invest in a player who may take years to fully develop.
For Seattle, the more immediate value lies in the flexibility Ortiz provides. Because he still retains all of his minor-league options, the Mariners don’t need to place him on the Opening Day roster. That flexibility is meaningful. Seattle can send him to Triple-A Tacoma out of spring training without risking losing him to waivers, giving him time to work on command, velocity consistency, and maintaining health after his previous injuries. As long as Ortiz remains on the 40-man roster and continues to develop, he’ll be available whenever the Mariners need him whether due to injury, performance struggles in the bullpen, or midseason reinforcements.
The addition of Ortiz also represents an investment in the Mariners’ pitching identity. Over the last several years, Seattle has established itself as a team that builds around its arms. From frontline starters to high-leverage relievers, the organization has prioritized assembling a deep and versatile pitching staff. The bullpen, in particular, has often been a strength, but after the most recent season, it was clear the Mariners needed more left-handed depth. Teams throughout the league are increasingly reliant on matchups, and having just one reliable left-hander can become limiting during a long season filled with tight games and specialized late-inning situations. Adding Ortiz ensures Seattle won’t be overly dependent on Speier and gives the coaching staff another option to turn to when facing left-handed-heavy lineups.
Beyond the tactical aspects, trades like this one reflect Seattle’s broader approach to building a sustainable roster. Rather than rely solely on big-name free-agent signings, the Mariners have often supplemented their team through under-the-radar moves, calculated trades, and depth-building acquisitions. These smaller deals, while not always headline-grabbing at first, frequently end up paying dividends months or even years down the line. The acquisition of Paul Sewald once fell into this category; so did the development of Andrés Muñoz following his recovery from injury. Seattle has often shown confidence in betting on pitching upside, and Ortiz seems to fit that mold.
For the Mariners, Sunday’s activity also projected a sense of confidence and urgency. Re-signing Josh Naylor alone signaled seriousness about improving the offense and stabilizing first base for the long term. Following that move with a strategic trade for a high-upside pitcher sent a second message: the Mariners are intent on strengthening all layers of their roster during a critical competitive window. With the AL West landscape shifting rapidly and rival clubs aggressively making their own offseason moves, Seattle knows it can’t afford to remain idle.
Each decision whether a major signing or a smaller bullpen addition fits into a larger puzzle. Seattle’s success in 2026 will depend not only on star performances but on steady contributions from emerging players like Ortiz who could help decide close games during the grind of a long season.
In the end, Sunday marked more than just a busy day of paperwork and roster maneuvering. It represented a forward-looking mindset, one that balances immediate needs with long-term planning. While it will take time to see how Robinson Ortiz fits into Seattle’s pitching plans, the combination of upside, affordability, and roster flexibility made him an appealing target. And for a team striving to contend deep into October, these are the types of calculated risks that separate stagnant organizations from ambitious ones.
