The Mariners are expected to bring back most of their core in 2026, though not without a few key changes.
Seattle came closer to reaching the World Series than ever before, taking Game 5 of the ALCS last Friday to move within one win of history. Unfortunately, their dream run ended abruptly in Monday’s decisive Game 7.
The fallout from that seventh inning — and the decisions surrounding it — will be dissected throughout the offseason. Still, beyond the what-ifs, the Mariners face practical questions about how to strengthen their 2025 roster.
Keeping much of the group together shouldn’t be difficult. Only a few players are set to hit free agency, and given Jerry Dipoto’s public comments, there’s no guarantee Josh Naylor will be among those departing.
Even so, while a complete overhaul seems unlikely, several players are expected to move on as Seattle fine-tunes its roster for another run.
4 Mariners who likely won’t be back in 2026 after heartbreaking loss in ALCS Game 7
1. 3B Eugenio Suárez
It would sting to see “Geno” leave Seattle again — perhaps even more than the first time. After being traded to the Diamondbacks in 2023, he rediscovered his power stroke and became a home run force in Arizona. And though his second stint with the Mariners this summer didn’t quite live up to expectations, he delivered one of the season’s defining moments with his game-winning grand slam in ALCS Game 5.
Still, unlike with Josh Naylor, Jerry Dipoto hasn’t expressed much interest in bringing Eugenio Suárez back. The 34-year-old is widely expected to be the more likely of the two midseason additions to depart in free agency — not only because he’ll attract a sizable multi-year offer, but also because Seattle has internal replacements ready to step in. Between Ben Williamson and promising prospect Colt Emerson, the Mariners appear well-positioned at third base moving forward.
2. 2B/DH Jorge Polanco
Polanco triggered a $6 million player option for 2026 in September, but after his stellar performance down the stretch and in October, it’s safe to assume he’ll turn it down. The veteran second baseman delivered a career-best 134 OPS+ during the regular season, then carried that momentum into the playoffs with two home runs off Tarik Skubal and game-winning RBIs in three consecutive games.
At 32, Polanco could technically receive a qualifying offer, but as Anthony Franco of MLB Trade Rumors noted, that scenario seems unlikely. Hitting free agency without draft-pick compensation attached would only boost his value, likely positioning him for a lucrative multi-year deal worth eight figures annually. That price tag might be too steep for the Mariners, especially with promising youngster Cole Young ready to step into the second base role.
3. C Mitch Garver
Garver holds a $12 million mutual option for 2026, but it’s virtually certain the Mariners will instead exercise the $1 million buyout. The 34-year-old struggled to find his form in Seattle, posting just an 86 OPS+ across two seasons, with his lone postseason highlight being a sacrifice fly off Tarik Skubal in Game 5 of the ALDS.
With Garver likely on his way out, his role as Cal Raleigh’s backup is expected to go to top prospect Harry Ford, who MLB Pipeline ranks as the No. 42 prospect in baseball. Ford received a brief look in the majors this season, but after five productive years in the minors capped by an .832 OPS, he appears more than ready for a full-time opportunity.
4. LHP Caleb Ferguson
Ferguson wasn’t exactly the bullpen reinforcement Mariners fans had hoped for at the trade deadline, and his performance down the stretch did little to change that perception. Over the final two months of the season, he surrendered 21 hits and eight walks across 22 innings, then gave up multiple runs in two of his three postseason appearances.
Now headed for free agency, the 29-year-old is unlikely to return to Seattle, with the team’s interest ranging from minimal to nonexistent. The Mariners will have no shortage of alternatives as they look to add another left-handed reliever to complement Gabe Speier in the bullpen.
