Seattle Mariners Free Agency: Mariners Reportedly Interested in Gold Glove Outfielder

The Seattle Mariners could end up as suitors for one of the top bats in the free agent market.

It was reported Tuesday that the Mariners were interested in pursuing outfielder Seiya Suzuki, who's expected to decline a qualifying offer and become a free agent after five seasons with the Chicago Cubs.

Suzuki is expected to earn a similar contract to outfielder Randy Arozarena, who Seattle extended a qualifying offer to but is not expected to pursue a longterm contract extension with. Suzuki's better defense and chance to introduce the M's back into the Japanese market could make him a more worthwhile target over Arozarena.

According to a report from MLB insider Jon Morosi, Seattle is also interested in another former Chicago outfielder that would provide a boost to the team's overall defense.

According to Morosi, the team is interested in outfielder Ian Happ.

Happ, who will enter free agency after 10 seasons with Chicago. The 32-year-old, who's a similar age to Arozarena and Suzuki, slashed .218/.326/.412 with a .738 OPS in 156 games last year. He hit 28 doubles, three triples and 24 home runs with 68 RBIs.

Unlike Suzuki, who primarily plays right field but has registered time at the other corner, Happ primarily plays left field and would therefore be a more one-to-one replacement for Arozarena. He won four-straight Gold Glove awards from 2022-25 and was a finalist for the award again this past season, which ultimately went to Jackson Chourio of the Milwaukee Brewers.

Happ didn't have the All-Star-caliber season Arozarena did in 2026, but has had consistent power numbers for the majority of his career. He's had four consecutive seasons of at least 21 homers and has reached that threshold in five-of-six seasons.

In his decade-long tenure with the Cubs, Happ has a career slash line of .243/.341/.442 with a .783 OPS in 1,295 games and has hit 245 doubles, 19 triples and 197 home runs with 625 RBIs.

Mariners president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto has mentioned the defense, which ranked at the bottom of the major leagues in several metrics, as the primary area of focus for the team this offseason and Happ's addition would improve those numbers.

Happ would also likely be a cheaper alternative to Suzuki and Arozarena should Seattle have to choose between him or his former teammate.

Per Spotrac, Happ has a market value of roughly two years, $40 million ($20 million AAV). Suzuki has a market value of $27.5 million a year over four years and Arozarena has a market value of $25.4 million over five years, per the same website.