Mariners Buzz: Day 3 Highlights from MLB Winter Meetings

The Seattle Mariners walked out of the MLB Winter Meetings without a splashy headline. That doesn’t mean nothing is happening beneath the surface.

While other clubs chased stars and instant buzz, Seattle chose a measured approach. They’re betting on patience, internal growth, and front-office continuity as they await key decisions on the free-agent and trade markets.

Mariners Take the Long View While Market Heats Up

The Winter Meetings often serve as baseball’s annual theater of the bold. This year was no different.

The Mariners opted to watch the board rather than move their biggest pieces immediately. They simply waited, letting the frenzy swirl around them.

Waiting on Jorge Polanco and Brendan Donovan

Seattle’s front office is firmly in wait-and-see mode with two primary targets in their sights. Jorge Polanco in free agency and Brendan Donovan via potential trade with the St. Louis Cardinals are their focus.

Polanco, a switch-hitting infielder, would bring some much-needed versatility and on-base skills to the lineup. Donovan profiles as a modern utility player—a left-handed bat who can move around the diamond and grind out quality plate appearances.

The Mariners are prepared to stay patient. They don’t want to force a move before the market settles.

Alonso vs. Naylor: Two Deals, Two Philosophies

While Seattle stayed conservative, the Baltimore Orioles delivered one of the headline moves of the Meetings. They signed slugger Pete Alonso to a five-year, $155 million contract.

That deal drew instant comparison around the league to the Mariners’ own five-year commitment to Josh Naylor. The difference in approach is hard to miss.

Crunching the Numbers on the New Cornerstones

On paper, both Alonso and Naylor bring impact. They just do it in different ways and at different price points.

Seattle’s strategy stands out. They’re investing in a versatile, athletic core instead of chasing the top of the market for a single power bat.

Alonso brings star power; Naylor gives the Mariners flexibility and upside at a more efficient rate.

Quiet on the Rule 5 Front, Active in the Margins

The Mariners didn’t make a selection in the major-league portion of the Rule 5 draft. That signals some confidence in their 40-man roster depth.

But they weren’t entirely inactive when it came to talent acquisition. The minor-league phase brought a few new faces.

Minor-League Additions and a Notable Loss

In the minor-league phase of the Rule 5 draft, Seattle targeted organizational depth and upside. Here’s who they picked up:

The Mariners did lose right-handed pitcher Cole Phillips to the Milwaukee Brewers in the same minor-league draft. Phillips is a wild card—former high-upside arm who hasn’t thrown a professional pitch after two Tommy John surgeries.

For Seattle, that loss is more about what could have been than actual production. It stings a bit, but it’s not a game-changer.

Front Office Stability After Andy McKay’s Departure

One of the more quietly significant developments around the Mariners is happening off the field. Longtime executive Andy McKay, a central figure in the club’s player development philosophy, has left to join the Cleveland Guardians’ coaching staff.

Internal Promotions Over External Hires

McKay, who had been elevated to Vice President/GM in 2024, won’t be directly replaced from outside the organization. Seattle is keeping things in-house.

Firman’s rise is especially notable. He’s a Washington State grad who started as an analytics intern and now exemplifies the Mariners’ commitment to promoting from within and leaning into data-driven decision making.

His fingerprints are increasingly visible on the club’s trade strategy and roster construction. It’s a bit of a new era, but one that still feels like Seattle—deliberate, a little stubborn, and quietly ambitious.

A Year of Reflection and Internal Growth Ahead

Instead of scrapping their plans after a quiet Winter Meetings, the Mariners are doubling down on their long-term vision. The organization wants to reassess its structure over the next year.

They’ll look closely at how player development, analytics, and front-office operations connect with what’s happening on the field.

For fans hoping for splashy headlines, this approach might feel a bit anticlimactic. Seattle’s plan focuses on building a sustainable contender by blending smart external moves—like adding Naylor, maybe Polanco or Donovan—with a strong internal pipeline and steady leadership.

 
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