Mariners’ projected 2026 roster shows how desperately they need a big offseason

The core can carry weight, but the 2026 blueprint needs more than vibes and depth pieces.

American League Championship Series - Toronto Blue Jay v Seattle Mariners - Game Four | Alika Jenner/GettyImagesIf 2025 taught the Seattle Mariners anything, it’s that getting to October can make a roster look sturdier than it really is. The Mariners’ late-season run proved the core can carry weight, but it also highlighted thin spots. To turn momentum into staying power in 2026, Seattle needs more impact bats and a higher everyday floor.

That’s why 2026 feels like a line in the sand. The core of Julio Rodríguez, Cal Raleigh, and J.P. Crawford, who is entering a contract year, has proved it can anchor a…