49 years, 0 world series rings. After many grueling seasons of rebuilding and heartbreak, the Mariners’ roster finally has the key components of a winning baseball team: excellent pitching, great hitting, and a chance to make a splash this offseason.
The projected roster for next season is not only capable of making their first World Series appearance this upcoming season, but also of hoisting the trophy they have long desired.
When evaluating what a championship-winning baseball team should look like, they almost always have amazing pitching, and the Mariners’ starting pitching is on another level.
“Pitching, their staff is ridiculous” Tahoma baseball head coach Jayke Chavez answered when asked what part of the Mariners gives them the edge over other teams.
Out of the 5 projected starting pitchers for next season, 4 of them have been to the All-Star Game, a stellar accomplishment. When you are able to throw 4 all-star caliber players on a roster, you have an extremely good team. But if you are able to throw 4 all-star caliber pitchers on the same rotation, you have one of the greatest rotations in all of baseball.
While pitching may be what the Mariners are known for, their hitting is no slouch. The Mariners projected lineup for 2026 is an extremely solid lineup.
While Cal Raleigh is most likely not going to be able to replicate his MVP-caliber season from 2025, there is no doubt that he is the best catcher in baseball. You are also able to pair him with Julio Rodriguez, a top 3 center fielder in the league. This superstar duo will produce day in and day out.
“Unbelievably important,” Chavez says when asked how important Julio Rodriguez and Cal Raleigh are for this team if they want to make a deep playoff run.
The current position players on this team can make a good lineup, but good doesn’t win championships; great does. The Mariners’ front office will have to make a statement this offseason if they want to prove to the rest of the league —and themselves —that they are here to win.
From last year’s starting lineup, Josh Naylor and Eugenio Suarez are the only two position players set to enter free agency this offseason, with Jorge Polanco exercising a player option that he is likely to decline.
“We are only a few good moves away from being set next year,” former Tahoma baseball coach and avid Mariners fan Brett Jaime claims. “We need to re-sign Josh Naylor and Jorge Polanco.”
Re-signing Josh Naylor and Jorge Polanco must be the priority for the Mariners this offseason. But if they are truly serious about contending, then they need to write some big checks this winter to other free agents as well.
The top free agents(excluding Josh Naylor, Eugenio Suarez, and Jorge Polanco) are Kyle Tucker, Alex Bregman, Kyle Schwarber, and Jarren Duran. It is unrealistic to expect to get all of these names, but even just 1 or 2 could push the Mariners over the edge and make their lineup one of the best in baseball. Where the Mariners should look to improve the most is the right field position, and putting Kyle Tucker or Jarren Duran there will make this outfield a top outfield in the league.
If the Mariners are able to re-sign key players like Josh Naylor, Jorge Polanco, Eugenio Suarez- and sign either Jarren Duran or Kyle Tucker- then their projected starting lineup would look like: Cal Raleigh at catcher, Josh Naylor playing 1st base, Jorge Polanco controlling 2nd base, J.P Crawford and his elite glove at shortstop, Eugenio Suarez manning 3rd base, with Randy Arozarena, Julio Rodriguez, and Jarren Duran/Kyle Tucker patrolling the outfield. This lineup would be nothing short of elite, plain and simple.
It is also important to note that the Mariners’ farm system is one of the best in baseball as well. There are 3 top prospects to look out for that are supposed to make their MLB debut throughout this season: Colt Emerson( M’s no. 1, MLB. 9), Lazaro Montes(M’s. 3, MLB. 29), and Micheal Arroyo(M’s. 6, MLB. 63).
When asked which upcoming prospect he expects to play a big role during the season, Jaime responded, “Hopefully, Colt Emerson, because he is our no.1 prospect.”
All of these factors point to the upcoming season being the Mariners ‘ greatest season in team history, hopefully one that ends with World Series rings. The mixing of their elite pitching and what could be an elite lineup is going to be massive for the Mariners this upcoming season. A fanbase that has endured so much pain and despair may finally be able to experience what it is like to say, “We are world champs.”
