The Seattle Mariners are treading carefully as they head toward the 2025 season. They’re balancing their win-now hopes with a real focus on developing their own players.
President of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto has been open about wanting to add another bat, whether through free agency or a trade. At the same time, the Mariners are putting a lot of faith in young infielders Ben Williamson and Colt Emerson, especially at third base.
The goal is to line up their roster with a pitching staff that’s built to get ground balls. It’s a bit of a gamble, but it’s got some logic behind it.
Mariners Seek One More Impact Bat
After picking up left-hander Jose Ferrer, the Mariners haven’t made many moves lately. That’s not because they don’t want to—Dipoto has been clear that they’re still shopping for another bat.
They’re not chasing a superstar, though. Instead, they’re after a veteran who fits into the team’s shifting plan.
Dipoto wants someone who can move around the field and give the lineup some protection. That way, the young infielders don’t have to carry the whole load right away.
Free Agency vs. Trade: Multiple Paths to the Same Goal
The front office hasn’t closed any doors. A short-term free agent deal gives them wiggle room, but a trade might get them a player who really fits—if the cost in prospects isn’t too steep.
Whatever route they take, the message is obvious: they need a seasoned hitter who can make the lineup deeper, especially if they’re serious about contending.
Third Base: Youth Movement with Williamson and Emerson
The most interesting part of Seattle’s plan is at third base. Instead of locking in a veteran, the Mariners are giving Ben Williamson and Colt Emerson a real shot to win the job.
Williamson has especially caught Dipoto’s eye. Dipoto called him an elite defender, which matters a lot on a staff built to keep the ball on the ground.
Why Ben Williamson’s Glove Matters So Much
Baseball these days is all about strikeouts and home runs, but the Mariners are quietly building around run prevention. More balls are getting hit on the infield, so a third baseman who can turn tough plays into outs is a sneaky source of value.
Williamson has the range, hands, and arm strength to be a real anchor on the left side of the diamond. That’s not something you can just find anywhere.
A Ground Ball Pitching Staff by Design
The Mariners’ focus on defense ties directly to their pitching staff’s identity. Since 2022, Seattle’s ground ball rate has jumped from 39.8% up to 42.9% in 2025.
That’s a big change, and it didn’t happen by accident. Moves like adding Carlos Vargas and tweaking Matt Brash’s pitch mix have pushed the staff toward more sinkers and sliders, chasing downward movement.
All those adjustments mean more grounders and more pressure on the infield to handle them. It’s a plan that requires everyone to be on the same page.
Jose Ferrer Fits the Ground Ball Blueprint
Ferrer’s arrival isn’t random. He’s got a history of high ground ball rates, which fits what the Mariners want.
When your relievers are always getting weak grounders, you can’t afford to have a shaky infield. That’s where guys like Williamson—and maybe Emerson—might end up swinging a few games Seattle’s way.
No Everyday Veteran at Second or Third? By Design
Dipoto has hinted that fans shouldn’t expect a classic, everyday veteran starter at second or third base. The team is leaning into flexibility and mixing up the lineup based on matchups early in the year.
They want to give the young guys a real chance, but without asking them to carry the offense right away. Seattle still wants a strong lineup, but they’re planning to build it together, not by putting all the pressure on the prospects.
The Role of a Veteran Bat in a Flexible Infield
The veteran Dipoto wants will probably take on a hybrid role at second and third base. That player might be asked to:
Balancing Development with Contention
For a club chasing the postseason, working in several young infielders isn’t easy. The Mariners don’t see it as a headache, though—they call it a “good challenge.” That’s the sort of problem you want, honestly, when your farm system keeps churning out real options.
Seattle’s coaches now have to juggle playing time, keep these kids’ confidence intact, and still demand top-notch play. Not exactly simple. But if even one of these young infielders figures it out—at the plate or in the field—the Mariners might just land a long-term solution at a key spot and stay right in the playoff hunt.
Looking ahead to 2025, Seattle’s taking a bit of a gamble. They’re hoping a smarter defensive setup, a pitching staff built for ground balls, and one carefully picked veteran bat can mesh with all this young talent. Maybe that’s what finally turns them into not just a contender, but a team that sticks around at the top.
Here is the source article for this story: Seattle Mariners’ plan for 2B and 3B coming more into focus
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