Seattle Mariners Free Agency: Mariners Pushing For Meeting With Star Outfielder

The Seattle Mariners recently wrapped up MLB general managers meetings in Las Vegas, and with the end of the meetings came a better idea of what the Mariners might do in this abbreviated offseason.

One of the moves Seattle might make is signing former Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki.

It was reported early during the meetings that, despite his expected cost, the Mariners intend to pursue the outfielder in free agency. Suzuki is a plus-defender in the corner outfield, is one of the best right-handed hitters on the open market and could represent Seattle's return to the Japanese market, which was a focal area of income and fan support for the organization for years. All of those areas are needs or desired areas of improvement to the organization.

To further emphasize the Mariners' renewed interest in the former two-time NPB Central League batting champion, Seattle reportedly wants to get an in-person meeting with Suzuki in the Emerald City before the probable lockout, per an article from Seattle Times reporter Adam Jude.

The Mariners' originally pursued Suzuki when he was posted in the 2021-22 offseason by the Hiroshima Toyo Carp from Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball. The pitch included a dinner hosted by National Baseball Hall of Famer Ichiro Suzuki. That pitch was unsuccessful and Suzuki spent a five-year stretch with Chicago.

The Mariners have until the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the MLB and MLB Players Association expires Dec. 1 and the ensuing lockout to have that meeting and potentially agree to a contract with Suzuki. He'll be one of the most sought-after hitters in the market, which makes time of the essence and leaves the M's less than three weeks to get the meeting an contract done.

Other potential suitors for Suzuki have been reported to include the Boston Red Sox, the Philadelphia Phillies and Toronto Blue Jays, among others.

Suzuki has a market value of roughly four years, $110 million ($27.5 million), per Spotrac.

The 32-year-old outfielder has been one of the most effective position players in making the transition from the NPB to MLB in recent years. In five years with the Cubs, Suzuki played in 675 games. He slashed .269/.351/.472 with an .823 OPS and hit 142 doubles, 18 triples and 113 home runs with 382 RBIs.

If Seattle is able to sign Suzuki, he would be the first Japanese player on the team's roster since starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi in 2021.