The Seattle Mariners have been clear about one priority this offseason: keep together as much of the roster as possible from their deep playoff run. It’s an admirable goal, and one that speaks to both the talent already assembled in Seattle and the belief that the group is capable of taking the next step. But as is often the case in Major League Baseball, the intention and the reality do not always align neatly. Players enter free agency. Budgets tighten. Roles evolve. And sometimes the business side of the sport forces teams into uncomfortable decisions.
Seattle has already taken a major step toward continuity by securing Josh Naylor on a five-year contract, locking down first base and eliminating one of the largest question marks on the roster. Naylor, acquired at the trade deadline, quickly became both a fan favorite and a mainstay in the middle of the order. His retention was considered essential and is widely viewed as a signal that the Mariners intend to build upon the foundation that carried them into October.
The next pressing question involves second baseman Jorge Polanco, who is coming off one of the most productive offensive seasons of his career. Based on public comments from the Mariners’ front office — and particularly from president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto — Seattle appears intent on bringing Polanco back. The switch-hitting infielder is coming off a .265, 26-home-run, 78-RBI season, numbers that placed him among the most impactful second basemen in the American League. Beyond his on-field production, Polanco integrated seamlessly into the clubhouse and earned praise for his leadership and professionalism. Unlike many midseason acquisitions, he became a fit almost instantly, both on the field and within the team culture.
Dipoto’s comments in recent weeks have signaled optimism, even if the timeline for a Polanco deal is less accelerated than Naylor’s. The Mariners understand that free agency is a rare moment for many players — an opportunity to be courted by other clubs, to understand one’s market value, and to make a decision with both financial and competitive implications. Still, the continued communication between Polanco’s camp and Seattle suggests that a reunion is not only possible but increasingly likely.
But while Naylor and Polanco appear to be well-positioned for returns, the outlook is far murkier for third baseman Eugenio Suárez — and that reality is beginning to draw attention across the league. In many ways, Suárez had the most eye-catching season of the three. He matched a career-high with 49 home runs, reasserting himself as one of the most dangerous power hitters in the sport. His season will be remembered for its dramatic moments, including a two-home-run performance highlighted by a massive go-ahead grand slam in late September that helped propel Seattle through a critical stretch of the schedule.
However, the complexity arises from the fact that Suárez produced much of his best work before arriving in Seattle, when he was still with the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Mariners benefited from his power and experience after acquiring him, but the front office must consider whether his full-season performance is replicable as he enters the latter stage of his career. Age, contract demands, and positional depth all factor into the equation as Seattle evaluates what the infield will look like in 2026.
Another layer to the dilemma is roster construction. If Naylor is at first base and Polanco is re-signed to handle second, the Mariners must decide whether committing significant resources to Suárez at third aligns with their broader strategic goals. Seattle has several young infielders rising through the system — including prospects who could soon compete for playing time — and the organization may decide that third base is the most logical position to transition toward youth. That decision would not necessarily reflect negatively on Suárez; rather, it would reflect the unavoidable calculus of building a roster under budget, projection, and age constraints.
Still, the possibility of Suárez being the odd man out does not diminish what he accomplished in 2025. His ability to hit for immense power, his reliability in high-pressure moments, and his presence in the clubhouse all contributed meaningfully to Seattle’s postseason push. Even outside his home run totals, his experience and steady defensive play at third base had considerable value. That type of production, even if streaky at times, is difficult to replace.
What complicates matters is that Suárez’s market could be robust. Teams searching for power — particularly from the right side — will almost certainly express interest, and it’s possible he receives multi-year offers that the Mariners either can’t or won’t match. Seattle’s priority this winter is sustainability: keeping a competitive team together without overextending financially or compromising future flexibility. With rotation needs, bullpen questions, and supplemental bats all on the offseason checklist, the front office may be forced to make decisions that prioritize structural balance over sentiment or past performance.
Meanwhile, Polanco’s situation presents fewer unknowns. His consistent contact skills, switch-hitting versatility, and defensive steadiness make him a valuable piece in a Mariners lineup that sometimes leaned too heavily on power and too little on on-base percentage. Re-signing Polanco would provide stability in the middle infield and give Seattle another dependable hitter who can lengthen the lineup. The addition of Naylor followed by the potential return of Polanco would preserve much of the offensive identity that was so successful last season.
But Suárez embodies the other side of the equation: the difficult choices that arise when a team tries to retain everyone from a successful season. Seattle’s stated goal is to run it back with as much of the roster intact as possible, but baseball realities often force teams into selectively prioritizing certain players over others. Free agency, arbitration costs, payroll constraints, and positional duplication all put pressure on even the best-intentioned offseason plans.
As the Mariners navigate the coming weeks, decisions surrounding Suárez, Polanco, and other key contributors will help define the direction of the franchise. Re-signing Naylor was the first step — a clear affirmation of the organization’s belief in its current core. The next steps may not be as straightforward. If Polanco ultimately returns and Suárez signs elsewhere, the Mariners will have succeeded in preserving much of their lineup while still making difficult but necessary decisions about the future.
Seattle is attempting to thread a needle: sustain a strong roster, remain financially responsible, and keep pace in an increasingly competitive American League. Whether Suárez remains part of that vision will depend on factors both practical and emotional, but one thing is clear — his 2025 season will not soon be forgotten, either in Seattle or around Major League Baseball.
