While the Seattle Mariners are squarely focused on the remainder of the 2025 playoffs and a hopeful trip to the World Series, it is at least time to start thinking about the planning stages of the looming offseason.

The Mariners will have some significant money coming off the books, as Mitch Garver and his $12 million are set to become a free agent. The team will also no longer pay Mitch Haniger, who was designated for assignment at the outset of the season. Furthermore, Jorge Polanco, Eugenio Suarez and Josh Naylor are slated to become free agents.

However, those savings will be mitigated by contract raises for Cal Raleigh and Julio Rodriguez, and several significant arbitration increases. MLBTradeRumors put out their arbitration projections for the M's on Tuesday, and though they are not official, they are typically close.

From this vantage point, it feels as if Gilbert, Miller and Kirby are clear to get paid through arbitration, and there's the chance that any of them could receive a potential long-term contract extension. Arozarena figures to be back with the Mariners in 2026, but will they try to extend him to lower the total commitment for 2026? It's possible after he registered a 27-homer, 31-steal campaign.

Speier and Brash, two integral parts of the bullpen, are also locks. Speier has proven himself incredibly valuable this season, making more than 70 appearances and dominating through two playoff games.

Santos has been extremely disappointing since being acquired by the Mariners before the 2024 season, but given his youth (26), cheap projection and talent, he figures to get another chance and have his salary paid.

It starts to get interesting with the rest of the arbitration-eligible players. Raley offers positional flexibility and power, but he struggled to the tune of a .202 average and four home runs this season while battling multiple injuries. It seems unlikely that they will non-tender him, but could they pay him and trade him? After all, they do have outfield depth and likely don't see Raley as a permanent first baseman. 

Saucedo is a likable player and a Washington native, but he's bounced between the majors and minors for his whole career, and he feels like a candidate to be non-tendered. Thornton is a valuable part of the M's bullpen, but he's coming off a torn Achilles' tendon. Perhaps the Mariners could non-tender him and try to bring him back at a smaller number. He's already started playing catch, but it's unclear if he'll be ready for the beginning of 2026.

But again, that's a conversation for the offseason. For now, the Mariners need to worry about playing the Tigers in Game of the ALDS, which is Tuesday at 1:08 p.m. PT.

LATEST PODCAST IS OUT: Brady Farkas is back for the latest episode of the Refuse to Lose podcast, and he's live in Detroit for Game 3. He talks about the environment in Seattle in Games 1 and 2, the questioning of both managers, and he's joined by Adam Amin, who is calling these games for FOX Sports. CLICK HERE: 

CASTILLO RANKS HIGH: Mariners starter Luis Castillo has made four career playoff starts, and he's one of the best active pitchers in those moments. CLICK HERE: 

THANK YOU, AJ HINCH: Brady says that for all the hand-wringing about Dan Wilson's bullpen management in Game 1, it was the Tigers skipper who made a fatal flaw in Game 2. CLICK HERE:

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