Mariners’ GM Lays Out Aggressive Offseason Blueprint: “We’re Going to Add Bats”
SEATTLE — The echo of the final out at T-Mobile Park has faded, but the mission for the Seattle Mariners is clearer than ever. In a comprehensive and candid end-of-season press conference on Monday, General Manager Justin Hollander stood before media and fans, not to dwell on the narrow miss of the postseason, but to forcefully outline the organization’s unequivocal primary goal for the winter: significantly upgrading the offense.
“Let me be perfectly clear, because I think our fans deserve that clarity,” Hollander began, setting a direct tone. “We fell short offensively this season. We were too inconsistent, too reliant on the home run, and we put undue pressure on our pitching staff. Addressing the lineup is our absolute, number one priority this offseason. We are going to be aggressive, and we are going to add impact bats.”
The Mariners’ 2023 campaign was a tale of two halves, defined by a historic pitching staff that consistently gave the team a chance to win, and a lineup that too often failed to capitalize. The team led the American League in quality starts and strikeouts, but finished in the bottom third in team batting average and with one of the highest strikeout rates in baseball. This dissonance between elite run prevention and middling run production was the central theme of Hollander’s address.
A Shift in Offensive Philosophy
Hollander acknowledged that the organizational philosophy, heavily weighted towards power and on-base percentage, needs refinement. The “control the zone” mantra will remain, but with a critical new emphasis.
“We need to diversify our offensive profile,” he stated. “Power is essential, and we have a great deal of it with Julio [Rodríguez], Cal [Raleigh], and others. But we need to become more difficult to pitch to. That means putting the ball in play more consistently, cutting down on the strikeouts, and adding players who can hit for a higher average and create traffic on the bases. We need to be a more complete, more relentless offensive unit from one through nine.”
This declaration signals a potential shift in the type of hitter the Mariners will target in free agency and trades. Instead of solely pursuing players with high walk rates and slugging percentages, the front office may now prioritize contact skills and bat-to-ball ability to complement their existing core.
The Financial Prowess and Payroll Flexibility
When pressed on the financial capacity to make such impactful additions, Hollander, with President of Baseball Operations Jerry Dipoto seated beside him, expressed strong confidence.
“Ownership is fully aligned with our vision and has committed the resources necessary to execute this plan,” Hollander said. “We have significant payroll flexibility heading into this offseason. We have a young, cost-controlled core, and several large contracts have come off the books. This provides us with a real opportunity to be major players in the free-agent market and to explore the trade landscape for players who can make an immediate difference.”
This flexibility is crucial. The Mariners have been notoriously cautious in recent years regarding long-term, high-value contracts for position players. Hollander’s comments suggest a willingness to potentially break that pattern for the right player who fits their newly defined offensive needs.
Positional Priorities: Corner Outfield and Infield in Focus
While Hollander was careful not to mention specific free agents by name, he did identify clear areas of need. The corner outfield spots, which saw a rotating cast of players throughout the season, are at the top of the list.
“We are looking for everyday, impactful players in the corner outfield,” he confirmed. “We need production, stability, and presence in those positions. Whether that comes from a pure corner outfielder or a versatile player who can move around, the bat is the non-negotiable element.”
Additionally, Hollander highlighted the need for more certainty in the infield. While he expressed confidence in J.P. Crawford at shortstop and Josh Rojas as a versatile piece, the corners—particularly third base and first base—were noted as areas for potential upgrade.
“We believe in the players we have, but we also know we need to create more competition and raise the overall floor of our lineup,” he explained. “Adding a dependable, middle-of-the-order bat to our infield is a key objective.”
The Pitching Foundation: A Strength to be Preserved
Any discussion of the Mariners’ roster inevitably circles back to their pitching, which Hollander called “the backbone of our team.” He was quick to praise the historic performances of Luis Castillo, George Kirby, Logan Gilbert, and the bullpen, but he also issued a note of caution.
“Our plan is to supplement the offense without dismantling our pitching strength,” he asserted. “That is the delicate balance we must strike. We have no intention of trading from our top-tier starting pitching. That group is what gives us a chance to compete every single night. However, we do have pitching depth, both in the majors and the upper minors, that could be utilized in the right trade to acquire the offensive talent we need.”
This suggests that while a star like Kirby or Gilbert is almost certainly untouchable, the Mariners could dangle a Bryce Miller or Bryan Woo, or leverage their deep bullpen, to facilitate a major trade for a proven hitter.
A Message to the Fanbase
Perhaps the most resonant part of Hollander’s press conference was his direct address to the Mariners’ passionate, and at times frustrated, fanbase.
“We hear you,” he said, his tone earnest. “We feel the energy at T-Mobile Park, and we see the desire for a winner. We share that desire. The goal is not just to make the playoffs; the goal is to build a team that can win the World Series. The steps we take this offseason will be with that singular goal in mind. We have a special core here, led by Julio Rodríguez, and it is our responsibility to build a championship-caliber team around him. We are committed to doing whatever it takes to take that next step.”
As the offseason officially begins, the blueprint is public. The mandate is clear. The Seattle Mariners, armed with financial resources, a deep pitching staff, and a transcendent young superstar, are declaring their intention to swing for the fences—both in the front office and, they hope, in the batter’s box next season. The pressure is now on Hollander and his staff to turn these words into action.
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