With MLB’s contract option deadline on Nov. 4 now behind us, a new group of players with declined options has emerged for the Seattle Mariners to consider in free agency.
Why Morosi views KBO’s Hye-seong Kim as an ‘excellent’ target for the Mariners.
From this fresh batch of free agents, who might Seattle target? Here’s a look at some of the potential free agents who could strengthen the Mariners’ roster in key areas of need – particularly at first base, second base, third base, and in the bullpen.
Infield targets
Shortstop/second baseman/third baseman Ha-Seong Kim, 29, is a versatile player known for his strong bat, speed, and outstanding defensive skills across multiple infield positions. Over his past three seasons with the Padres, Kim has posted a .250 batting average with 39 home runs, 72 steals, and a 103 OPS+. In 2023, he earned the National League utility Gold Glove Award and ranked eighth in the NL with a 5.8 WAR. Kim mostly played shortstop in 2022, transitioned to second base in 2023, and returned to shortstop full-time in 2024. However, due to a shoulder injury from a dive back to a base in mid-August that required surgery, he’s expected to miss the start of next season.
Third baseman Yoán Moncada, 29, once a highly regarded prospect, has struggled with frequent injuries throughout his career. In four of his eight seasons with the White Sox, including this past year, he played in fewer than 100 games due to a left adductor strain. However, when he’s been able to stay healthy, Moncada has shown solid hitting ability. Over nine seasons, he holds a .254 batting average, has hit 93 home runs, and has a career OPS+ of 106.
**1B Anthony Rizzo (age 35):** Rizzo is a proven performer with three All-Star selections and four Gold Glove Awards. Despite dealing with injuries over the last two seasons with the Yankees, where he hit .237 with an 88 OPS+, he showcased his power in 2022, tying his career high of 32 home runs and recording a 130 OPS+. Across his impressive 14-year career, he has posted a .261 batting average with 303 home runs and an .828 OPS.
Bullpen targets
• LHP Andrew Chafin (age 34): Known for his iconic hair-and-mustache combination, Chafin has been a reliable left-handed reliever throughout his 11-year career across six different teams. Over the past four seasons, he’s maintained a 3.12 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, and a 27% strikeout rate. Last season, while pitching for both the Tigers and Rangers, he recorded a 3.51 ERA and 1.47 WHIP, with 70 strikeouts in 56 1/3 innings. He excels at generating swings and misses, ranking in the 97th percentile for chase rate and 96th percentile for whiff rate, per Baseball Savant.
• LHP Danny Coulombe (age 35): Over the past two seasons with the Orioles, Coulombe has established himself as one of the American League’s best left-handed relievers, achieving a 2.56 ERA and a 0.95 WHIP, with 90 strikeouts and only 17 walks in 81 innings. Despite undergoing elbow surgery in June to remove bone spurs, he made a comeback by late September, pitching 4 1/3 scoreless innings across five appearances.
• LHP Brent Suter (age 35): Suter is a dependable left-handed reliever with a career 3.45 ERA and 1.21 WHIP over nine seasons. In 2024 with the Reds, he posted a 3.15 ERA and 1.14 WHIP. While his career strikeout rate is modest at 20.2%, he stands out for his ability to limit hard contact, achieving a hard-hit rate in the 98th percentile this season, per Baseball Savant.
• RHP David Robertson (age 39): Robertson has excelled over the last three seasons, posting a 2.82 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, and a 31.1% strikeout rate across 201 innings with five different teams. This season with the Rangers, he recorded a 3.00 ERA and 1.11 WHIP, striking out 99 batters and allowing 27 walks in 72 innings.
• RHP Phil Maton (31): Maton had a rough start to the season with the Rays but turned things around with the Mets in the second half, recording a stellar 2.51 ERA and 0.84 WHIP, along with 30 strikeouts and only six walks over 28 2/3 innings in New York. Over the past five seasons, he holds a 3.87 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP, including a three-year stretch with the Astros from 2021 to 2023.
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