The Seattle Mariners‘ 2023 season ended in familiar disappointment. For the second straight year, the team watched the playoffs slip away despite boasting one of the most dominant pitching staffs in Major League Baseball. With a top-five pitching staff and a solid bullpen, the Mariners’ pitching depth has been a strength, but their offense has been a glaring weakness that continues to haunt them.
It’s a tale as old as time in Seattle: the front office’s inability to assemble a potent lineup has led to postseason heartbreak. While the Mariners’ pitching staff has often carried them, their lack of offensive firepower has left them on the outside looking in when the postseason comes around. This offseason, the Mariners must find a way to break this cycle. It’s time for a solution that doesn’t just add depth but delivers star-level power.
The Mariners’ Offense Needs a Slugger
T-Mobile Park, a pitcher-friendly stadium, is a tough place to hit, which only complicates matters when Seattle is trying to attract free-agent bats. Despite this, the Mariners cannot afford to let this deter them. The reality is that many of their recent acquisitions — think Mitch Garver or Jesse Winker — weren’t bold enough moves to push the needle on offense. The Mariners need a legitimate slugger, someone who can change the dynamic of the lineup and keep opposing pitchers on their toes.
One name that fits the bill is Baltimore Orioles All-Star Anthony Santander. The switch-hitting outfielder, coming off a career-best season, could be just the kind of offensive spark the Mariners need to complement their pitching staff. According to Joel Reuter of Bleacher Report, Santander is projected to sign a four-year, $80 million contract this winter, with the Mariners emerging as a strong landing spot.
A Power-Hitting Beast
Santander, 30, is known for his power at the plate, which was on full display in 2023. He slashed .235/.305/.509 and hit a career-high 44 home runs, a mark that placed him among the elite sluggers in the league. While his defense in the outfield and his baserunning may not provide much secondary value, his bat more than makes up for it. Santander’s ability to produce game-changing power could be exactly what the Mariners are looking for — a reliable middle-of-the-order hitter who can turn the tide in a low-scoring game.
As Reuter points out, the Mariners desperately need a proven slugger, and no team is in greater need of a bat like Santander’s. In a year where the Mariners’ offense struggled to generate consistent power, adding a player who has the ability to hit 40+ home runs could completely shift the balance in their favor. Seattle is a more favorable ballpark for right-handed power hitters than Baltimore’s Camden Yards, so Santander could potentially see an uptick in production in his new home.
The Fit in Seattle
For Santander, Seattle presents an ideal landing spot. He would be able to slot right into the Mariners’ lineup and become one of the key players in the middle of the order. With a young team still finding its identity, Santander would have the opportunity to thrive in a lineup where he’s given the freedom to be a focal point. The Mariners need someone who can hit for both average and power, and Santander fits that description.
On the Mariners’ side, adding Santander would be a step in the right direction. He represents the kind of big swing the Mariners need, a reliable bat who can provide instant impact and hopefully avoid the trend of free agents who falter after arriving in Seattle. With a strong, consistent hitter like Santander, the Mariners could finally find the balance they’ve been lacking, enabling them to support their elite pitching staff and become a true contender in the AL.
Looking Ahead: Can the Mariners Seal the Deal?
While the Mariners will face competition for Santander’s services, his power and fit in Seattle’s lineup make him a perfect target. A four-year, $80 million contract would put him in the range of recent free-agent sluggers like Kyle Schwarber, who signed a similar deal with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2022. For a team like the Mariners, who have been searching for a consistent offensive presence, Santander could be the key to unlocking their potential.
The Mariners’ front office faces a crucial offseason. They’ve built a pitching staff that can rival any team in the league, but their inability to add enough offensive firepower has held them back. If they can land a slugger like Santander, they’ll have a legitimate chance at finally breaking through and returning to the postseason. With the Mariners desperately needing a game-changing hitter, Anthony Santander could be exactly what they need to complete their roster and make 2024 a year to remember.
