Mariners Infield Bat Options: Trade Targets and Internal Fits

The Seattle Mariners stand at a franchise crossroads. After coming within a single win of the World Series, this offseason feels less about minor tweaks and more about finishing what they started.

They’ve already made several key moves. Still, a glaring need for an impact infield bat hangs over the front office.

Seattle’s next decision carries enormous weight. It could be the difference between a true World Series run or another near-miss.

The Mariners’ Offseason So Far: Solid, But Not Complete

Seattle hasn’t just sat around. The club made targeted moves to keep its competitive window open while still preserving flexibility.

But that missing piece is obvious: a middle-of-the-order infield hitter who can change a postseason series.

Internal and external expectations are colliding as the market tightens. Key targets might be slipping away.

Re-signing Naylor and Adding Role Players

Josh Naylor returning gives Seattle a stabilizing force in the lineup. His mix of power and on-base skills fits a club built on pitching and timely offense.

The Mariners also added reliever Jose Ferrer to strengthen their bullpen. That lines up with their philosophy of building deep, flexible relief units.

Right-handed bat Rob Refsnyder gives manager Scott Servais another matchup weapon. Refsnyder’s value comes in bursts and platoon spots, not as a lineup anchor—Seattle still needs that true impact infield presence.

Plan A: Big-Swing Infield Upgrades

The front office wants to add a proven, difference-making infield hitter. Two names keep popping up, each filling that need in a slightly different way.

Both have All-Star upside and would lengthen the lineup in October.

Brendan Donovan and Ketel Marte: Ideal Fits, Uncertain Outcomes

Brendan Donovan from the Cardinals brings elite versatility and on-base skills. He’s a Swiss Army knife, moving around the diamond, grinding at-bats, and setting the table for the heart of the order.

His ability to do a bit of everything makes him an almost perfect fit for Seattle’s pitching-first roster. Ketel Marte, the Diamondbacks’ star second baseman, would be a headline acquisition.

He offers switch-hitting thump, playoff experience, and can anchor the middle of the lineup. Marte’s bat would instantly change how teams prepare for Seattle in October.

But there’s a real chance the Mariners miss out on both. Whether it’s the trade cost, teams unwilling to move controllable pieces, or competition from other contenders, Seattle may have to pivot—and soon.

The Eugenio Suárez Pivot: Familiar Power, Short-Term Answer

If Donovan and Marte are out of reach, a reunion with Eugenio Suárez looks like the obvious fallback. It’s not the splash fans crave, but it makes sense.

Suárez brings power, professionalism, and a clubhouse presence the core already knows.

Why Suárez Makes Sense — in the Right Role

A short-term deal is key here. Suárez can play third base now and shift to DH as prospects like Colt Emerson or Ben Williamson push for time.

That bridge lets Seattle chase a title now without blocking the future. He won’t fix every offensive issue, but as a familiar bat with 25–30 homer potential, he’s a pragmatic, low-risk pivot if bigger swings fall through.

International Power: Kazuma Okamoto’s High-Upside Gamble

While the trade market is messy, Seattle has an intriguing international option: Japanese slugger Kazuma Okamoto. His profile checks a lot of boxes the Mariners want to fill.

The clock’s ticking, though, with a Jan. 4 MLB signing deadline looming.

Okamoto’s Appeal and Risk

Okamoto brings consistent power and positional versatility, two traits that fit Seattle’s roster style. He can play multiple infield spots and provide the kind of extra-base threat that changes the geometry of T-Mobile Park.

There are injury concerns that complicate his market. Still, for a team desperate for an impact bat, he might be worth the calculated risk.

If his health holds, Okamoto could be the kind of mid-prime addition that pays off in October.

Secondary Targets: Versatility, Bridges, and Upside Swings

Beyond the headliners, Seattle has some intriguing secondary options. None are guaranteed stars, but each offers a different solution to the infield problem.

The challenge is balancing present impact with long-term flexibility.

Willi Castro: Quietly Valuable Utility Weapon

Willi Castro stands out as a quietly compelling free-agent option. A switch-hitting utilityman, he brings:

His poor finish to the 2025 season might suppress his market, creating a value signing chance. For a team that loves moveable pieces and creative lineups, Castro fits.

Alec Bohm: The Classic “Bridge” Third Baseman

Alec Bohm keeps coming up in trade talks. With one year of club control left, he’s a classic bridge at third base.

Bohm isn’t a headline star, but he offers:

He’d buy time for prospects without sacrificing the present, though he won’t dramatically raise the lineup’s ceiling.

Mark Vientos: Big Power, Big Questions

Mark Vientos of the Mets is a different gamble. The upside: huge raw power and four years of club control.

But the risk is just as clear:

For Seattle, it’s a test of risk tolerance. Do you bet on the bat and hope the defense and approach improve, or do you stick with a more stable, known commodity?

What’s at Stake for Seattle This Winter

Every contender hits a tipping-point offseason eventually. For the Mariners, it feels like this is the one.

The core sits right in its prime. The rotation looks playoff-ready, honestly.

The fan base has tasted just how close this group is to breaking through. There’s a real sense of urgency in the air.

Whether it’s Donovan, Marte, Suárez, Okamoto, Castro, Bohm, Vientos, or maybe some wild-card name, Seattle’s next move will define the narrative of this era. This winter either completes a real World Series contender—or becomes the offseason remembered for missing that one impact bat.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Where Seattle Mariners could pivot for an infield bat