An off-season plan based on Dipoto and Hollander's comments.

[Seattle or Bust]

Signings:

M's sign OF Randy Arozarena to a 4-year, $100M deal

In Hollander's interview today, he spoke specifically to hoping that Randy is a Mariner next year. He said they are very much impressed with his ability to hit from the right side. Bottom line is the M's cannot afford to lose his bat. He was the third best hitter via wRC+ in 2026. Now, having Randy back flies in the face a bit of by Dipoto and Hollander's pitch that the defense must improve. But it sounds like they're going to focus on having players get a bit dirtier in practice, do drills, etc... vs trust that players will just turn it around. Hollander mentioned effort and he believes the team will play with more cohesive effort next season. I do not believe Randy is the clubhouse cancer people have made him out to be. It seems like he's well liked... he's not out there pouting or whatever... the WBC thing is in the past and the players should have moved on. He is the bat they need to bring back next year. I do not think the money will be prohibitive given that they got rid of a lot of Castillo's cash.

M's sign IF Isaiah Kiner-Falefa to a 1-year, $5M deal

As mentioned, there was a significant focus in both interviews from Dipoto and Hollander in improving the defense. You can do so by simply adding a really, really good defender. Kiner-Falefa isn't a great hitter and he's really struggled with the bat in the second half. But he's usually good for being slightly below league average with the bat but well above average with the glove. In 66 games for the Red Sox he's put up 1.6 bWAR while hitting for just an 81 OPS+. That says a lot about the defensive value he brings. He plays SS and 3B at a very high level and can serve as insurance if Emerson continues to struggle.

M's sign RHP Carlos Estevez to a 1-year, $5M deal

The M's won't be in the market for a David Bednar or Adrian Morejon... but they could look at adding a guy who spend all of '26 injured to catch lightning in a bottle. Estevez pitched 0.1 innings this year after a foot injury and then shoulder injury kept him sidelined. I'd be shocked if the Royals were to pick up his club option given the injuries. When healthy, he's been dominant... posting a sub 2.45 ERA in both '24 and '25.

Trades:

M's trade SS Felnin Celesten, OF Michael Arroyo, RHP George Kirby to the Marlins for SS Otto Lopez and RHP Sandy Alcantara

This one is a doozy. But again, in the interviews... Dipoto and Hollander highlighted the lack of range and ability to turn a double play multiple times over. It is clear they were not happy with what they had at SS defensively. Lopez's bat fell off in the second half but he still churned a 122 OPS+ year... hitting .305 from the right side with elite contact metrics. The M's need to get more righties and less swing and miss in the lineup and Lopez helps there. But where Lopez really shines is with the glove. He was a 95th % defender in baseball last year and featured the best range in baseball defensively. The M's swap Kirby for Alcantara who had a rebound year in '26... Kirby gives the Marlins a pitcher with 2x years of control and frees up some cash as Alcantara is on a $21M club option. Alcantara also gives the M's 1 year to mix Ryan Sloan into the rotation before he's a free agent. The Marlins have SS prospect Aiva Arquette right on the horizon to replace Lopez and add to their growing youth movement with Arroyo/Celesten.

M's trade Util Brock Rodden to the Twins for OF Austin Martin

Martin hasn't lived up to his former billing as a top prospect. He's a good defender and hits lefties well. He'd serve as a nice late-inning defensive replacement and platoon hitter that only has to play 60-70 games to have an impact. Lopez, Falefa, and Martin all have top swing and miss/K numbers... which should help drastically improve contact for a team that again struggled there.

Lineup:

1. Brendan Donovan (LHH) DH/3B/OF
2. Otto Lopez SS (RHH)
3. Randy Arozarena LF (RHH)
4. Dom Canzone RF (LHH)
5. Julio Rodriguez CF (RHH)
6. Cal Raleigh C (Switch)
7. Josh Naylor 1B (LHH)
8. Cole Young 2B (LHH)
9. Colt Emerson 3B (LHH)

Bench: Isaiah Kiner-Falefa Util IF (RHH), Austin Martin OF (RHH), Lazaro Montes OF/DH (LHH), Jhonny Pereda C (RHH)

Rotation:
1. Logan Gilbert
2. Bryan Woo
3. Emerson Hancock
4. Sandy Alcantara
5. Bryce Miller
6. Kade Anderson

Bullpen:

CL: Andres Munoz
HL: Matt Brash, Gabe Speier, Carlos Estevez
ML: Jose Ferrer, Eduard Bazardo, Seranthony Dominguez, Cooper Criswell

[Donn Beach]

What happened to Anderson?

[Donn Beach]

Speaking of, seems encouraging

Also of note, he rebounded in a big way against the same Angels team that tagged him for five earned runs two starts prior. Specifically, as he did against the Rockies, Anderson was more deliberate with location and execution once reaching two strikes -- the effectiveness of which came through extended pregame consultations with catcher Cal Raleigh.

“Cal has helped me out with that a lot, and just kind of identifying what you're trying to do with that pitch,” Anderson said, “instead of just hearing the pitch in the PitchCom and throwing it. Having some more like intention behind that pitch has helped me a lot with just kind of identifying where the pitch is supposed to end up a little more.”

He also sprinkled in the two-seamer that he first unveiled in Colorado.

“I think it's going to be a big development,” Anderson said. “I think going into next year, I'll probably use a lot more, but probably maybe only to lefties. But it's just another thing that you're continuing to learn, and more pitches can always help. But just honestly, at the same time, identifying that these are my four best pitches and tacking on with that.”

[Seattle or Bust]

Speaking of, seems encouraging

Also of note, he rebounded in a big way against the same Angels team that tagged him for five earned runs two starts prior. Specifically, as he did against the Rockies, Anderson was more deliberate with location and execution once reaching two strikes -- the effectiveness of which came through extended pregame consultations with catcher Cal Raleigh.

“Cal has helped me out with that a lot, and just kind of identifying what you're trying to do with that pitch,” Anderson said, “instead of just hearing the pitch in the PitchCom and throwing it. Having some more like intention behind that pitch has helped me a lot with just kind of identifying where the pitch is supposed to end up a little more.”

He also sprinkled in the two-seamer that he first unveiled in Colorado.

“I think it's going to be a big development,” Anderson said. “I think going into next year, I'll probably use a lot more, but probably maybe only to lefties. But it's just another thing that you're continuing to learn, and more pitches can always help. But just honestly, at the same time, identifying that these are my four best pitches and tacking on with that.”

I can see the M's trying to keep Miller and Anderson healthy by splitting innings between the two next year.

[Donn Beach]

The plan seems reasonable and in line with the comments. My takeaway has been the focus on culture. I've felt that was the issue and at least dipoto addressed it. The stuff about listening to an outside voice. I'm not going to go as far as saying I'm encouraged but that does seem quite a departure from how he operates

[bpj]

They have the need to listen to an outside voice to see where they went wrong because Dipoto has no idea what he's doing.

He needs somebody to do his job for him.

SoB, I admire that after this debacle of a season you still have enough interest in these losers to put the effort into a plan.

[GL_Storm]

I like the Miami trade idea. Is the value realistic? I don't think any team sees Michael Arroyo as a middle infielder.

If Otto is made available, I would imagine the Yankees will get involved.

[D-train]

Speaking of, seems encouraging

Also of note, he rebounded in a big way against the same Angels team that tagged him for five earned runs two starts prior. Specifically, as he did against the Rockies, Anderson was more deliberate with location and execution once reaching two strikes -- the effectiveness of which came through extended pregame consultations with catcher Cal Raleigh.

“Cal has helped me out with that a lot, and just kind of identifying what you're trying to do with that pitch,” Anderson said, “instead of just hearing the pitch in the PitchCom and throwing it. Having some more like intention behind that pitch has helped me a lot with just kind of identifying where the pitch is supposed to end up a little more.”

He also sprinkled in the two-seamer that he first unveiled in Colorado.

“I think it's going to be a big development,” Anderson said. “I think going into next year, I'll probably use a lot more, but probably maybe only to lefties. But it's just another thing that you're continuing to learn, and more pitches can always help. But just honestly, at the same time, identifying that these are my four best pitches and tacking on with that.”

I can see the M's trying to keep Miller and Anderson healthy by splitting innings between the two next year.

Why do they have to try to keep Anderson Healthy? The kid pitched 130 pitches in the CWS last year and hasn't had a single even minor injury since his surgery a few years ago....pitched 119 innings for LSU and 128 for us last season. Should be good for at least 150 IPs.

The rest of your plan is fine but Hollanders lip service about Randy is beyond meaningless. He is the number one position player on the market. ZERO chance we resign him.

[D-train]

They have the need to listen to an outside voice to see where they went wrong because Dipoto has no idea what he's doing.

He needs somebody to do his job for him.

SoB, I admire that after this debacle of a season you still have enough interest in these losers to put the effort into a plan.

Had the exact same thought. I just think listening to these jokers trying to save face and assuming they will actually act on these comments is a bit naive after what we have seen with this regime since Obama was still in office...

[D-train]

I would just trade Kirby for Lopez. Don't need Alcantara.