SEATTLE -- The Mariners are still looking to bolster their 2026 roster with another proven bat and at least another reliever. And how much they have to spend on those commodities came into clearer scope after Thursday’s deadline for salary arbitration-eligible players to exchange figures with their clubs.
Seattle had seven such players this year, six of whom agreed to terms on deals for next season -- most expensive among them, Randy Arozarena, who a source shared will earn $15.65 million in his final season before free agency.
Notably, Bryce Miller did not agree to terms in his first year of eligibility (more below).
Based on president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto’s end-of-season payroll commentary, the Mariners entered this winter with roughly $30 million-$35 million to spend, with about $18.5 million spent since. However, those comments were centered on external additions, as Dipoto and general manager Justin Hollander already baked in estimates for their arbitration-eligible players.
Essentially, Thursday’s deals went from being written in pencil to pen.
What’s the situation for each arbitration-eligible Mariners player? (All contract numbers shared via a source)
LF Randy Arozarena (fourth year eligible via Super Two designation; $15.65 million): Following his second All-Star selection and on the heels of a career-high 27 homers, the slugger earned a notable raise from $11.3 million. As it stands, he’ll be Seattle’s third-highest paid player next season, per unofficial figures from Cot's Baseball Contracts, behind Luis Castillo ($24.15 million) and Julio Rodríguez ($20.2 million).
RHP Matt Brash (first year; $1.55 million): The flamethrower was eased back into his high-leverage role in his much-anticipated -- and rapid -- return from Tommy John surgery. Because he already had a strong track record before the injury, Brash netted a healthy bump from the MLB-minimum $757,600.
RHP Logan Gilbert (third year via Super Two; $10.927 million): Speculation about a longer-term extension will naturally heighten as the towering ace is just two seasons from free agency. But for now, Gilbert will look to continue distancing himself from the right flexor strain that landed him on the IL for the first time in his career yet didn’t prevent him from finishing strong in '25.
RHP George Kirby (second year; $6.55 million): He isn’t far behind Gilbert’s timeline -- three seasons until free agency -- and will also seek another fully healthy season after missing the season’s first two months with right shoulder inflammation.
RHP Bryce Miller (first year; did not agree to terms): He presents the most interesting case among this group given that he’s had huge highs and this is his first year of eligibility. If Miller and the Mariners cannot agree on a contract, a hearing before a panel of arbitrators will be scheduled between Jan. 26 and Feb. 13.
OF/1B Luke Raley (first year; $2.05 million): Initially looking like a non-tender candidate, Raley will enter Spring Training looking to overcome the Grade 2 right oblique strain that lingered for most of last year and get back to being the player he was in '24.
LHP Gabe Speier (second year; $2.125 million): The lefty linchpin blossomed near a best-in-sport status for his speciality last season, and he was rewarded handsomely for it with a raise from $845,000.
How often do cases reach arbitration?
Since Dipoto took over after the 2015 season, the Mariners have gone to arbitration twice. In 2023, Teoscar Hernández filed at $16 million while the team filed at $14 million -- a case the Mariners won. The other instance was in 2022 with Adam Frazier, who filed at $8 million against Seattle’s $6.7 million. In this case, the arbitrators sided with Frazier.