Right now, the Seattle Mariners are busy trying to find the organization's next manager. But beyond that, the M's are also starting to plan for the new league year, which begins five days after the end of the World Series.

At that time, we will have about one month until the Collective Bargaining Agreement runs out and the league is likely thrust into a lockout. But in that month, there will be baseball things that happen, including some roster turnover.

In that vein, the Mariners will open up at least four roster spots from players who will hit free agency. Here's what you need to know.

An eight-year veteran of the St. Louis Cardinals, Tampa Bay Rays and Mariners, Arozarena spent the last 2.5 with the M's, becoming an All-Star in both 2025 and 2026.

He hit .255 for Seattle with 58 home runs and 80 doubles, and he also stole 61 bases. He led the American League in runs scored (113) this season and also hit .281 while posting a 148 OPS+.

He'll be one of the most coveted players on the free agent market, despite questions about his age (almost 32), effort and defense. The Mariners seem unlikely to retain him, but they do seem assured to give him a qualifying offer.

Now 31 years old, Crawford was drafted in the first round of the 2013 MLB Draft by the Philadelphia Phillies. Traded to the Mariners after the 2018 season in the deal that sent Jean Segura to Philly, Crawford has spent eight years with the Mariners, first playing for them in 2019. He was the longest-tenured Mariner this season.

He's hit .247 in his time with Seattle while also posting a .340 on-base percentage. A disciplined hitter, he led the AL in walks in 2023 (94), while also hitting 19 homers that season.

He won a Gold Glove in the COVID 2020 season and has played the most games at shortstop in franchise history. He was named to the team's 50 Greatest Players List this summer. There's a chance he could end up in the team's Hall of Fame.

His defense has regressed, and he hit just .221 this season, but he still has great plate discipline (.335 OBP) and has shown the ability to play third base as well.

The Mariners could still bring him back, but it's unclear how they'd use him. Is he the starting third baseman alongside Colt Emerson at short? Does that force Brendan Donovan to left field duty? Is Crawford a bench player? Is he willing to be a bench player? He's said he wants to stay in Seattle, but at what cost to his own playing time and stature?

He'll be 32 in January.

Acquired at the trade deadline from the Baltimore Orioles, Ward had a dreadful 32 games with the Mariners. He hit just .125 with seven RBIs, and he dealt with a leg injury.

He pitched in six games for the Mariners at the end of the season, pitching to a 4.26 ERA in 6.1 innings. 

Andres Munoz has a team option that is likely to be picked up, while Victor Robles has a $9 million team option that is likely to be declined. That would make him a free agent as well.