The Seattle Mariners will enter arguably the most promising, but also the most disappointing offseason in recent history — arguably franchise history.

For the first time since the team was established in 1977, the Mariners were one win away from the World Series.

Seattle lost to the Toronto Blue Jays 4-3 in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series on Oct. 20.

There was no solace in the 2025 Mariners coming closer than any other team in franchise history to a pennant. The disappointment was palpable from the players and manager Dan Wilson postgame front office executives in postseason news scrums.

But that loss could be the motivation for the organization to finally get over that hump.

The sadness from losing Game 7 of the ALCS has led to a common mission statement among the higher-ups within the organization: 2025 needs to be the beginning of something special rather than a one-and-done.

The main way Seattle can accomplish that goal in 2026 is with a great offseason. And President of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto and general manager Justin Hollander will have a lot more money to spend this year compared to previous years.

Dipoto said in a news scrum Thursday the team's payroll for 2026 will be where it ended in 2025 "as a starting point." 

The Mariners ended the season with roughly $165 million in payroll. That was 15th in the major leagues. Between players leaving in free agency, salaries moving off the books and players expected to decline options, Seattle is on the hook for around $130-135 million in payroll in 2026, according to a story from Seattle Times reporter Adam Jude.

Most sites/projection models predict the same amount of available payroll for the Mariners. 

According to a report from Mark Polishuk of MLB Trade Rumors, RosterResource has the club at "just under" $132 million currently for 2026 and Cot's Baseball Contracts has Seattle at $132.4 million on the books for 2026.

Dipoto and Hollander have both expressed bringing back first baseman Josh Naylor, who has a market value of three years, $45.3 million ($15.1 million AAV) according to Spotrac.

If the Mariners do bring Naylor back for $15-20 million a year, that would leave $10-15 million left for Seattle to sign another free agent to shore up other needs. Last offseason, the Mariners had $15-20 million in available payroll to spend in the offseason, which they used to bring back second baseman/designated hitter Jorge Polanco and sign free agent corner infielder Donovan Solano.

Dipoto said first base, third base and reliever. Bringing back Naylor would shore up one of those needs.

Seattle has more flexibility in cash to bring back Naylor while taking care of other needs, and that will go a long way in the team's mission statement of getting back to the ALCS and making the first World Series in franchise history in 2026.

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SEATTLE MARINERS EXECUTIVE TALKS ABOUT TEAM'S OFFSEASON NEEDS: Jerry Dipoto discussed the team's needs and priorities before the 2026 season begins. CLICK HERE

JOSH NAYLOR A PRIORITY IN THE OFFSEASON FOR MARINERS: Justin Hollander was optimistic about the potential of bringing back the the Mariners' key acquisition from this year's trade deadline. CLICK HERE

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