The official Hot Stove League Thread 2025-26 Offseason

[Sexymarinersfan]

It's not really am overpay but it's classic dipoto. The guy loves to work at the margins. He wasn't going to pay polanco $40 MIL, so he basically lands half of a polanco for $6 MIL

F---'n A he does!

[Sexymarinersfan]

$115M for 3 years of Framber Valdez....

$45M for Jorge Polanco...

Ok, forget it. Dipoto's strategy definitely beats buying into that market.

There were still low cost floaters available like Moncada or Arraez, but at least there aren't any obvious black holes besides Refsnyder and Young.

And maybe this is the year the clubhouse vet won't roll over and die.

Young had some flashes. Or Emerson if they want to rush another kid up.

The black holes aren't quite as massive this season, so that's good. With the trade deadline another chance to course correct, if needed.

No doubt this should be a contender though. Especially after we witnessed how much the league competition has fallen off the last few years.

Reason for optimism. Finally. Lol

I think some people commonly mistake comparing this upcoming team to last year's final playoff squad. I think that is an error. I'd argue what they should be comparing it to is last year's Opening Day roster. That to me is a more accurate measurement in terms of how far we've come. In season additions can be made all the way up to the Trade Deadline along with promotions from the minors. I like where this team is at currently. Just having a healthy Starting 5 again with healthy seasons from Gilbert, Kirby, and Miller alone should be a major boost.

I actually think we were pretty fortunate last season not having more injuries. No reason to bet that this year they'll have fewer. It's part of the game Dipoto should be planning for, but instead he leaves the MLB roster two players short, with even less depth available in the minor leagues.

I agree. We are definitely short a bat, and another legit arm from the pen. I'm hoping Sloan or Kade Anderson can help out in that department, but not holding my breath.

[bpj]

I think some people commonly mistake comparing this upcoming team to last year's final playoff squad. I think that is an error. I'd argue what they should be comparing it to is last year's Opening Day roster. That to me is a more accurate measurement in terms of how far we've come. In season additions can be made all the way up to the Trade Deadline along with promotions from the minors. I like where this team is at currently. Just having a healthy Starting 5 again with healthy seasons from Gilbert, Kirby, and Miller alone should be a major boost.

I actually think we were pretty fortunate last season not having more injuries. No reason to bet that this year they'll have fewer. It's part of the game Dipoto should be planning for, but instead he leaves the MLB roster two players short, with even less depth available in the minor leagues.

I agree. We are definitely short a bat, and another legit arm from the pen. I'm hoping Sloan or Kade Anderson can help out in that department, but not holding my breath.

That's true, and that's fair that they actually have starting pitching depth. Miller as a #6 is good depth even.

I don't believe in Young as the starting 2B.

I think Donovan should probably be the 2B with another player brought in at 3B.

Refsnyder seems an awful lot like AJ Pollock v2.0.

Dipoto obviously should know more than us, so hopefully they actually perform.

But, it just looks like exactly what he's done in the past- bring in guys with obvious flaws. And what's worse, imo, is that he's making exactly the same mistakes as he did in previous years with new names.

[D-train]

I actually think we were pretty fortunate last season not having more injuries. No reason to bet that this year they'll have fewer. It's part of the game Dipoto should be planning for, but instead he leaves the MLB roster two players short, with even less depth available in the minor leagues.

I agree. We are definitely short a bat, and another legit arm from the pen. I'm hoping Sloan or Kade Anderson can help out in that department, but not holding my breath.

That's true, and that's fair that they actually have starting pitching depth. Miller as a #6 is good depth even.

I don't believe in Young as the starting 2B.

I think Donovan should probably be the 2B with another player brought in at 3B.

Refsnyder seems an awful lot like AJ Pollock v2.0.

Dipoto obviously should know more than us, so hopefully they actually perform.

But, it just looks like exactly what he's done in the past- bring in guys with obvious flaws. And what's worse, imo, is that he's making exactly the same mistakes as he did in previous years with new names.

Kade will only be a factor this season if there are injuries. He throw 130 pitches in a game last season but of course they will starting him in Everett with a 30 pitch 2 innings limit. He won't be ready until the end of the season at the earliest.

I agree about Young. He is just so meh. Adam Frazier vibe.

Roster is what it is until the deadline.

I initially though Rob Ref was identical to Pollock but there is a significant difference. He has always been a platoon bat so like a DH he is used to doing just that. Not like asking Pollock to be a platoon bat for the first time or Garver be a DH for the first time.

Biggest mistake was not bringing in a full time RF. We are looking at possibly three platoons which is 2 too many....

[Sibelius Hindemith]

I haven't been keeping up on current events regarding the Ms so do they still have a bunch of dog crap arms in the bullpen like last year?

[Donn Beach]

Robles, Rivas, Refsnyder and Knitzer are the only players acquired as free agents on this roster. That seems pretty crazy.

Robles was after a mid season DFA and Rivas was a minor league FA. Even worse.

Ahhhhhh... Josh Naylor?

[Donn Beach]

There was a lot of this kind of stuff about Refsnyder from Red Sox fans on reddit with the mariners signing. He's a professional platoon bat but also a well liked player. I thought it was an interesting signing.

Not the flashiest player but a model professional baseball player. Everyone said he was a phenomenal leader in the locker room and you would consistently guarantee professional ABs from him which is all you can really ask for from a utility player.

One of (if not the) best platoon bats in the league. Not a huge role but the guy really excels at his role, and he is just a very likeable player. Gonna miss the man.

[Gametime]

This is the roster. No money left.

Still wish we had Suarez for 15 mil. Crazy to too.

No real 3rd baseman or DH.

Don’t think we are better than we ended. At least they didn’t stand totally pat.

[bpj]

Robles, Rivas, Refsnyder and Knitzer are the only players acquired as free agents on this roster. That seems pretty crazy.

Robles was after a mid season DFA and Rivas was a minor league FA. Even worse.

Ahhhhhh... Josh Naylor?

Good point. He was acquired in trade, then re-acquired as a free agent. Have to give Dipoto credit.

And we acquired "Louis Costello" as you probably call him, from the Reds, but he's still here via an extension.

I was just going off the fangraphs depth chart.

[Donn Beach]

Robles was after a mid season DFA and Rivas was a minor league FA. Even worse.

Ahhhhhh... Josh Naylor?

Good point. He was acquired in trade, then re-acquired as a free agent. Have to give Dipoto credit.

And we acquired "Louis Costello" as you probably call him, from the Reds, but he's still here via an extension.

I was just going off the fangraphs depth chart.

Interesting, Castillo they extended while still under contract after trading for him. Naylor was a free agent transaction
https://www.mlb.com/mariners/roster/tra ... ns/2025/11