Three potential offseason targets for the Seattle Mariners

It had been a 21-year drought for the Seattle Mariners before the club made the postseason in 2022 and now they are on the verge of making it for the second year in a row. Still, even teams built to content consistently will seek upgrades in the offseason. 

Jeimer Candelario, IF, Chicago Cubs

If there are any holes in the Mariners offense it is likely at the infield corners. The duo of Ty France and Eugenio Suarez bring a lot to the table -- combining for 50+ doubles and 30+ home runs while driving in almost 150 runs between them -- but their offensive game still has holes (more than 300 strikeouts). Adding a player who could spell either (or both) players, maybe allowing them more at-bats at designated hitter, might benefit the Mariners lineup. 

Candelario, a 29-year-old switch hitter, has enjoyed a career year at the plate. He's hit 21 home runs while batting .253/.338/.473 with the Nationals and Cubs while making a modest $5M. A handful of teams were rumored to have interest in him leading up to the trade deadline before Chicago acquired him, but it's unclear how many of those teams will still have interest this offseason. 

Carlos Hernández, RHP, Kansas City Royals

Mariners GM Jerry Dipoto has a history of being active in the trade market. Often he'll see something in a player other teams may not, so we shouldn't be surprised if/when the Mariners get involved in trade rumors this offseason. Dipoto is not shy about making a move that will shake things up. 

The stat line for Hernández's 2023 season is ugly without the right context -- an ERA over 5.00, double-digit losses, and a career-high in home runs allowed. Much of that damage has come in the season's second half, as Hernández's walk rate and ERA have ballooned since the All-Star break while the Royals fall further from contention. Hernández brings an elite fastball, above-average strikeout rates, and multiple years of team control left. If the Royals make him available he's the kind of player Dipoto will covet.   

Yuki Matsui, LHP, Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles (NPB)

Pitching has been one of the Mariners's strengths this season, though much of the attention is focused on the starters. Seattle's relief corps has been consistently reliable for much of the year, as well, even without a true closer. Andrés Muñoz has held the role down since Paul Sewald was traded, but it is still a role the club seems to prefer to keep undefined. That could change with the right addition. 

Matsui has been one of NPB's most dominant relievers in recent years. The 27-year-old left-hander earned the right to free agency and could consider coming to MLB this offseason but there's also a chance he elects to remain in Japan. With 233 saves already in his career, Matsui has a good chance of breaking the all-time NPB mark of 407 and there's reason to believe such a milestone is of importance to him. Still, the idea of the diminutive (he's only 5'8") lefty coming to MLB is intriguing and a chance to close for a contender might sway his decision.