The other day, I raised what I think is an interesting question about the Seattle Mariners bench heading into 2026.

Worried is probably an overstatement, but I'm certainly cognizant of the fact that the bench has some interesting issues about it heading into spring training.

Take this example:

If the Mariners are playing a right-handed pitcher, then Dom Canzone profiles as the designated hitter and Luke Raley as the right fielder. That leaves Victor Robles and Rob Refsnyder on the bench with backup catcher Andrew Knizner. As a result, there's one bench spot for a utility infielder, and that infielder has to be able to play second, third and short. Leo Rivas can probably do it, as can Miles Mastrobuoni, but Mastrobuoni adds another left-handed hitter in the mix. He wouldn't be able to pinch-hit for the likes of Cole Young, at least directly, if they needed to late in games against a tough lefty pitcher.

Again, it's not the world's biggest issue, but it is something I'm thinking about as spring training nears. Is this a tenable bench? Would the bench be better served without one of the outfielders and an extra infielder? Maybe a power-hitting bat like Patrick Wisdom? 

I talked about this issue with ESPN's Buster Olney on Thursday's edition of the 'Refuse to Lose' podcast and here's what he had to say:

Question: Do you think all four outfielders make it to Opening Day?

Answer: 

"I think they do, at the beginning of the year, because they're counting on... I mean, teams operate under the premise that there are going to be injuries. You know, the injury PTSD.

And I remember back in the day covering Joe Torre, and there'd be a writer that inevitably would ask about the eight starting pitchers the Yankees had for five spots, and Joe would sort of smile and say, 'yeah, that stuff works itself out.'

If you're the Mariners, you're going into spring training and you've got the depth. You're hoping that there are no injuries, but eventually something might manifest at some point, and having guys who play in the big leagues and that kind of depth is good.

And then let's say, for argument's sake, that everybody stays healthy. You get closer to the end of spring training, you have more information because you've seen all these guys play, you have a better sense of how the pieces are going to fit together.

And there are going to be other opportunities in the trade market at some point. There will be other opportunities in the free agent market, and maybe there's somebody outside of the organization right now who you like better than what you have."

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