The Seattle Mariners have officially kicked off their 2025–26 offseason with a pair of roster decisions — one that was easy to make, and another that was widely expected. The club has exercised its contract option on All-Star closer Andrés Muñoz for the 2026 season while declining the mutual option on veteran catcher Mitch Garver, who will now enter free agency.
According to a source familiar with the team’s plans, the Mariners’ decision to pick up Muñoz’s option was finalized on Tuesday and represents a no-brainer move for the front office. The hard-throwing right-hander has established himself as one of Major League Baseball’s premier closers, and his consistent dominance has made him one of the cornerstones of Seattle’s bullpen.
Meanwhile, Garver’s departure was also expected. The veteran catcher, who signed a one-year deal with Seattle prior to the 2025 season, had a $12 million mutual option for 2026. The Mariners declined their side of that agreement, opting instead to pay Garver a $1 million buyout, allowing him to test the open market. The 33-year-old slugger now joins four other Mariners veterans — left-hander Caleb Ferguson, right-hander Luke Jackson, first baseman Josh Naylor, and third baseman Eugenio Suárez — as free agents eligible to sign with any club starting Thursday.
Muñoz’s Contract and Value to the Mariners
Muñoz’s contract details make Seattle’s decision a clear and calculated one. The 26-year-old fireballer originally signed a four-year, $7.5 million extension prior to the 2022 season, a deal that included club options for 2026, 2027, and 2028. His 2026 base salary was set at $6 million, but due to performance-based escalators written into the contract, Muñoz triggered an additional $1 million bonus, increasing the total value of the option year to $7 million.
Looking ahead, Seattle also retains control over Muñoz with team-friendly options worth $8 million in 2027 and $10 million in 2028. Given how dominant he has been in recent seasons, those figures could end up being bargains if he continues to perform at his current level.
Muñoz’s rise has been nothing short of remarkable. After establishing himself as a premier reliever in 2022, he continued to elevate his game, culminating in a career-best 2025 campaign that solidified his status among baseball’s elite closers. He earned his second consecutive All-Star selection and notched a career-high 38 saves during the regular season.
Dominance on the Mound
On the mound, Muñoz combined elite velocity with improved command and devastating breaking stuff. In 64 appearances, he posted an impressive 1.73 ERA, allowing just 36 hits in 62 1/3 innings. He struck out 83 batters while walking 28, maintaining a 1.03 WHIP and holding opponents to a .167 batting average.
In October, Muñoz took his dominance to another level. Over seven postseason innings, he did not allow a single run and recorded two saves, playing a crucial role in helping the Mariners advance to Game 7 of the American League Championship Series. Though Seattle fell just short of its first World Series berth in over two decades, Muñoz’s reliability at the back end of the bullpen was one of the team’s biggest strengths throughout the season and postseason.
Muñoz’s electric fastball — which routinely touches triple digits — and his sharp slider have made him one of the toughest relievers to hit in the league. Yet despite his intimidating presence on the mound, the right-hander is known off the field for his affable personality and love of cats, making him a fan favorite in Seattle.
Financial Implications and Payroll Outlook
By exercising Muñoz’s option, the Mariners now sit at roughly $135 million in payroll commitments for the 2026 season. That figure could shift in the coming weeks depending on arbitration decisions and the MLB non-tender deadline on November 21, but it provides a solid framework for the front office to plan the rest of the offseason.
The Mariners ended the 2025 season with a payroll around $165 million, one of the largest in franchise history. That investment helped propel the team to within a single game of the American League pennant, proving that ownership’s willingness to spend has paid dividends on the field.
Club president Jerry Dipoto has not specified an exact payroll target for 2026 but hinted that it will remain comparable to where it finished last season — describing it as “a starting point.” Based on that indication, Seattle should have at least $30 million in available spending room to address key needs in free agency or via trades this winter.
Offseason Priorities
With Muñoz locked in and Garver off the books, the Mariners now turn their attention to several pressing offseason priorities. One of the most immediate questions surrounds whether the team will attempt to re-sign Josh Naylor, who proved to be a major offensive catalyst following his midseason arrival.
Dipoto has already called re-signing Naylor an “obvious priority” for the club. The 28-year-old first baseman delivered strong production in 2025, giving Seattle a much-needed left-handed power presence in the middle of the lineup. Retaining him would help stabilize the offense, which at times struggled with consistency despite the team’s overall success.
The Mariners will also need to evaluate their catching situation in the wake of Garver’s departure. While Cal Raleigh remains entrenched as the team’s primary backstop, the front office may explore adding a veteran backup or platoon option to pair with him. Garver’s offensive contributions — particularly his power against left-handed pitching — will be difficult to replace, though the club could seek a more defensive-minded alternative to complement Raleigh’s workload.
Beyond those moves, Seattle is expected to focus on bolstering its infield depth and outfield power, areas that came under scrutiny during the 2025 season. Suárez’s exit opens a vacancy at third base, and while the team could promote from within, they might also pursue an external option depending on how the market unfolds.
A Strong Foundation Moving Forward
Despite a few open roster spots, the Mariners enter this offseason in a position of strength. Their pitching staff remains one of the best in the American League, anchored by a rotation that includes Luis Castillo, George Kirby, Logan Gilbert, and Bryce Miller — all under team control. With Muñoz closing games and fellow relievers such as Matt Brash and Ryne Stanek contributing in key setup roles, Seattle’s bullpen should continue to be a dominant force in 2026.
The organization’s front office has emphasized maintaining a competitive core while selectively adding pieces that can push the team closer to a championship. Dipoto and general manager Justin Hollander are expected to be active this winter, particularly given the club’s stated goal of building on its near-pennant run.
A Look Back at 2025
The Mariners’ 2025 season was one of the most memorable in recent franchise history. After years of incremental progress, Seattle finally broke through to become a legitimate contender in the American League. Their ALCS run, which included thrilling postseason victories and dramatic late-inning heroics, captured the imagination of fans across the Pacific Northwest.
Much of that success was fueled by their pitching — a hallmark of Dipoto’s roster construction. Muñoz’s emergence as a lockdown closer symbolized that strength, but it was the balance across the rotation and bullpen that kept Seattle competitive in nearly every game.
Offensively, the Mariners showed flashes of brilliance, especially during the second half of the season when trade deadline additions like Naylor and Garver helped spark the lineup. However, inconsistency at the plate ultimately proved costly in October, something the team hopes to correct this offseason through strategic signings and player development.
Setting the Tone for 2026
With the first roster decisions officially in the books, the Mariners have set the tone for what promises to be a pivotal offseason. Exercising Muñoz’s option was as straightforward as moves come — ensuring that one of baseball’s top relievers remains a fixture at the back end of Seattle’s bullpen for at least another year. Declining Garver’s option, meanwhile, reflects the club’s desire to maintain payroll flexibility while reassessing how to best allocate resources.
If Seattle stays aggressive in the coming months, there’s every reason to believe they can once again contend for the AL West title and make a deeper postseason run. The combination of an elite pitching staff, a maturing young core, and newfound financial flexibility gives the Mariners a solid foundation to build upon.
Dipoto and his front office now face the challenge of capitalizing on this momentum — finding the right mix of veteran experience and emerging talent to complement what is already one of the league’s most balanced rosters.
In many ways, Tuesday’s decisions — simple as they were — mark the unofficial start of Seattle’s quest to finish what it started in 2025. Muñoz will once again anchor a bullpen that thrives under pressure, and the Mariners will look to surround him with the pieces necessary to finally bring a World Series championship to Seattle.
For now, the club’s payroll picture, player control, and competitive outlook all point in a promising direction. With more moves certain to follow, the Mariners have already made one thing clear: they’re not content with just coming close — they’re building for the ultimate prize in 2026.
