Mariners Pursue Bullpen Reinforcements Ahead of MLB Winter Meetings

The Seattle Mariners wasted no time locking up slugger Josh Naylor on one of the richest free-agent deals in franchise history. Now, their front office has shifted gears to the next phase of the offseason plan: reshaping and reinforcing the bullpen.

With an eye on October, not just April, Seattle is methodically targeting relief arms through both free agency and the trade market. They want to add impact pitching depth before the MLB Winter Meetings in Orlando.

Mariners Move from Naylor to Bullpen Reinforcements

Securing Naylor gives the lineup a middle-of-the-order anchor. The Mariners know postseason contenders are built on strong bullpens, not just big bats.

The front office has made adding at least two proven relievers the main objective for this stage of their offseason. They want at least one new reliever before executives gather in Orlando, then plan to keep building out depth and versatility behind that first move.

This isn’t a scattershot search. The Mariners are after specific profiles that fit their run-prevention style.

Why the Bullpen Is the Next Priority

Seattle’s recent success has been driven by pitching and defense. They’re determined not to let the relief corps become a weak link.

With workloads rising and leverage innings getting bigger, the Mariners want multiple late-inning options. One dominant closer isn’t enough anymore.

A deeper bullpen lets manager Scott Servais mix and match, control matchups, and avoid overtaxing any single arm as the season drags on. That flexibility matters in October, not just over 162 games.

Andrés Muñoz Locks Down the Ninth Inning

Any bullpen conversation in Seattle starts with All-Star closer Andrés Muñoz. He’ll be back after the club exercised a $7 million option to keep him through 2026 and beyond.

Muñoz’s triple-digit fastball and wipeout slider give the Mariners a real weapon for the ninth inning. With him in place, the front office doesn’t feel pressure to chase the priciest relievers out there.

Why Top-Tier Closers Aren’t on the Radar

Since Muñoz is already in the closer role, the Mariners probably won’t go after high-priced closers like Edwin Díaz or Robert Suarez. Instead, they’re putting resources toward the “next tier” of relievers—guys who can dominate the seventh and eighth, bridge to Muñoz, or even step into the ninth if matchups call for it.

This approach fits the modern bullpen model: focus on depth, flexibility, and value instead of splurging on one big name.

Finding the Right Left-Handed Partner for Gabe Speier

One big item on Seattle’s checklist is adding a second left-handed reliever to go with Gabe Speier. Speier was leaned on heavily last year with a career-high 76 appearances.

The Mariners want to lighten his load and get better at neutralizing left-handed hitters in crucial moments. They’re exploring several southpaw options, each with a different skill set and a unique way to stretch out the bullpen.

Lefty Relief Targets on Seattle’s Radar

Here are some of the left-handers they’re watching:

Adding one of these lefties would protect Speier and give Servais more tactical options against the deep lineups they’ll see in the American League.

Right-Handed Options and Trade Possibilities

The Mariners are also looking for right-handed relievers who fit their model: strike-throwers with either swing-and-miss stuff or elite batted-ball profiles. They’re open to both free-agent signings and trades as they tweak the bullpen mix.

Seattle has already dipped into this market and will keep scouring available arms from across the league.

Names to Watch: Tanner Ferrer and Tony Rogers

Two names have drawn internal interest:

The Mariners had previously gone after Phil Maton before he signed with the Cubs, which tells you Seattle values pitchers with command, durability, and a track record in tough spots.

Mariners’ Offseason Blueprint Coming into Focus

With Naylor locked in and Muñoz holding down the ninth, the Mariners’ offseason strategy is starting to take shape. They aren’t out there trying to make a splashy move just for the headlines.

Instead, they’re quietly putting together a bullpen that can handle the long haul and survive the chaos of the playoffs. It’s more about substance than flash, honestly.

Seattle will likely stay aggressive but focused as they hunt for two more relief options. They’d love to snag a lefty to pair with Speier and a righty who can move around a bit, maybe before or during the Winter Meetings.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Mariners targeting bullpen help as MLB Winter Meetings approach