2023/2024 Mariners Free Agency Guide

16 player profiles, all with specific fit analysis towards the Seattle Mariners. Introducing by 2024 Seattle Mariners Free Agency Guide!

KBO

The offseason is finally here, and with the qualifying offer decisions being finalized this afternoon players are officially able to negotiate and sign where they please. The Mariners ultimately ended up declining to sign any of their pending free agents in the exclusive negotiation period, most notably Teoscar Hernandez.

Seattle is in a very interesting place this offseason, especially with the past two World Series champs remaining in their division. The Mariners need impact players and depth in multiple spots, something that is difficult to address via trades alone.

They will need to utilize free agency to address some of their needs, so I put together 16 players who would theoretically fit on this roster and broke them down! I will be adding to this as the offseason goes along, and will no doubt write longer pieces on specific players as I see fit. I hope you all enjoy it, please leave any comments or players I should add below!

(P.S. I know Shohei Ohtani isn’t on this list, he gets his own article coming soon.)

Sonny Gray

Sonny Gray is nearly 34 years old but is coming off of his best season as a pro in 2023. In his age 33 season Gray posted the following numbers….

-5.3 fWAR

-2.79 ERA

-2.83 FIP

-184 innings, 183 strikeouts

This was a tremendous season for the veteran starter, and it comes at a perfect time as he is set to hit the open market. Seattle has loved him in the past, and we know they have tried to trade for him on multiple occasions.

Seattle and Gray could be a match made in heaven if the club decides to move on from Bryce Miller or Bryan Woo via trade. Gray will likely command a 1-3 year deal with higher AAV, something the Mariners may be willing to pony up for considering the limited amount of long-term commitment.

We know Jerry Dipoto loves Sonny Gray, so does he finally acquire him? I think he should.

Fit: High

Whit Merrifield

Whit Merrifield is another player the Mariners have been interested in before, and we know Dipoto loves circling back on players. Merrifield will turn 35 during next season on the heels of being nominated for a Silver Slugger in Toronto last season.

While his nomination is legit, I’m not sure his production is. Merrifield posted just a 93 wRC+ in 2023 and hasn’t been an above-average hitter since the COVID season.