The Seattle Mariners may soon find themselves turning toward an alternative plan in their pursuit of a versatile infielder who can also handle designated-hitter duties. For much of the 2025 season, that role belonged to Jorge Polanco, who proved to be a stabilizing presence in the lineup and an important part of Seattle’s push toward contention. Yet as the offseason unfolds, Polanco is now on the open market, his return to the Pacific Northwest far from guaranteed, and his next destination uncertain.
Seattle’s president of baseball operations, Jerry Dipoto, acknowledged in mid-November that the organization had maintained ongoing contract discussions with Polanco. While he expressed optimism about the dialogue, he also admitted that a new deal was nowhere close to materializing. The Mariners clearly value what Polanco brought to their club, but the longer the stalemate continues, the more likely it becomes that they will have to prepare for a future without him. Adding to the uncertainty is the growing buzz that the Boston Red Sox have entered the race, with multiple reports out of Boston indicating genuine interest in bringing Polanco to Fenway Park.
If Polanco ultimately moves on, the Mariners could pivot in a direction that might actually strengthen their roster even more. Bleacher Report recently proposed a trade scenario that would send Ketel Marte—one of the Arizona Diamondbacks’ cornerstone players—to Seattle. Marte, a three-time All-Star and the reigning Silver Slugger at second base, began his major league career with the Mariners years ago before being dealt to Arizona. The idea of bringing him back, this time as an elite veteran capable of anchoring the infield, has sparked plenty of conversation.
Importantly, Bleacher Report’s suggestion isn’t merely speculative fantasy. On November 25, MLB insider Jon Morosi reported that the Diamondbacks were “actively listening” to offers for Marte, a significant development considering Marte’s importance to Arizona’s roster. Shortly after Morosi’s report, MLB Network analyst Harold Reynolds publicly identified Seattle as an intriguing destination for the star infielder, arguing that the Mariners are well-positioned to make such a move.
While Polanco has been a productive and cost-effective option for Seattle since his arrival, the gap between him and Marte is considerable. Marte is widely regarded as one of the best second basemen in the sport, an impact bat capable of elevating a strong team into a legitimate World Series favorite. The Mariners, who captured the AL West title and came agonizingly close to making the 2025 World Series, appear to be at a crucial moment in their competitive window. The talent is present, the pitching is strong, and the fan base is energized now may be the ideal time to push chips forward and pursue a transformational acquisition.
Bleacher Report’s hypothetical trade proposal outlines a package in which the Mariners would send starting pitcher Logan Evans, along with two highly regarded middle-infield prospects—Michael Arroyo and Felnin Celesten to Arizona. Both Arroyo and Celesten currently rank inside Seattle’s top 10 prospects, coming in sixth and ninth, respectively. Though losing two major infield talents would sting, the move would net Seattle multiple years of Marte under contract, giving them a proven star in the middle of the diamond rather than waiting on prospects whose full potential remains years away.
If the trade were to occur, Marte would immediately slot in as the Mariners’ everyday second baseman for the foreseeable future. Pairing him with shortstop J.P. Crawford would give Seattle one of the most formidable up-the-middle combinations in the American League. However, such a move would also create a logjam for Seattle’s infield prospects. In addition to Arroyo and Celesten, the Mariners have two blue-chip infielders in Colt Emerson and Tai Peete, both of whom are projected to eventually compete for long-term starting roles. Acquiring Marte would raise the bar for those prospects, forcing them either to develop into stars at another position or become trade assets themselves.
One of the biggest complications in any pursuit of Marte, however, involves his contract. In April, Arizona signed the switch-hitting standout to a massive six-year contract extension worth $116.5 million, keeping him under team control through 2030. As a result, the remaining portion of his deal amounts to more than $90 million making Marte one of the highest-paid second basemen in Major League Baseball.
Seattle must decide whether such a financial commitment aligns with its long-term spending philosophy. According to payroll tracker Spotrac, the Mariners entered the 2025 season with the 12th-highest payroll in the league. While they are certainly not at the top of the spending scale, neither are they among the bottom half of the league. Whether the franchise would be willing to absorb Marte’s contract depends on ownership’s willingness to expand payroll, as well as the front office’s confidence that Marte will maintain his elite production deep into his contract.
The good news for Seattle is that Marte’s recent performance strongly suggests he is worth the money. In the 2025 season, he posted a 4.4 Wins Above Replacement (WAR), reflecting both his offensive value and his defensive reliability. His .376 on-base percentage and .893 OPS placed him among MLB’s top 10 hitters in both categories, putting him in elite company with some of the sport’s biggest stars. The Mariners have lacked a consistently dominant middle-of-the-order presence, and landing Marte would immediately address that need in dramatic fashion.
For a franchise that has spent years building a deep farm system and developing a pipeline of young talent, making a blockbuster trade like this would represent a bold declaration of intention. The Mariners have come close in recent years, repeatedly flirting with postseason breakthroughs and finally establishing themselves as a legitimate contender in the American League. Yet in order to take the final step winning the pennant and eventually a World Series teams often need to supplement their homegrown roster with proven superstars. Marte is precisely that kind of player.
While the safer and more fiscally conservative approach would be re-signing Polanco, the upside of acquiring Marte is undeniably greater. The Mariners know exactly what Polanco brings: versatility, switch-hitting capability, and above-average production. But Marte offers star-level impact, lineup transformation, and the type of offensive firepower that can change the complexion of an entire season. The decision for Seattle will come down to whether they are willing to part with significant prospect capital and absorb a substantial long-term salary to acquire a player capable of elevating their ceiling.
As the offseason continues, all eyes will remain on both Seattle and Arizona. If the Diamondbacks are truly willing to listen to offers and early reports suggest they are then the Mariners stand out as a legitimate partner. Their prospect depth, their competitive timeline, and their need for a high-end infielder all align perfectly with a potential deal.
In the meantime, Seattle must continue monitoring Polanco’s market. Should he sign elsewhere, the incentive to swing big on Marte will only increase. Should Polanco return, the Mariners will still need to evaluate whether his presence is enough to push them to the next level, or whether a bolder move is required.
What is clear is that this offseason may define Seattle’s next several years. Their core is strong, their pitching staff is one of the best in the American League, and their young talent is on the verge of breaking through. Adding a premier player like Ketel Marte could be the finishing touch that transforms a near-championship team into a true powerhouse.
