Seattle, WA
Three hitters the Seattle Mariners should target in free agency
The World Series is over, which means Seattle Mariners fans can start gearing up for the hot stove.
There’s one key piece the Mariners are missing in their bullpen
Once the offseason officially begins five days after the World Series, there’s a pretty clear area where the M’s should be focused to make improvements, and it’s the same as usual: the offense.
Seattle averaged 4.17 runs per game in 2024, which ranked 21st in MLB, as well as 22nd in team OPS at .687. If those rankings are a little higher than you expected, there’s a couple of reasons for that. First, the Mariners led all of baseball with 1,625 strikeouts at the plate, which was a big source of frustration throughout the year. And secondly, the overall offensive numbers were helped by a September where Seattle actually ranked third in runs scored (5.15 per game) and team OPS (.780).
On the one hand, that last month of production signals a potential move in the right direction for Seattle’s lineup. But finding a lineup that can perform in all months of the season remains a challenge – one that could perhaps be answered through free agency.
Alright, I know what you’re probably saying right now. Signing hitters in free agency hasn’t been a strong suit of the Mariners during president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto’s tenure in Seattle. That’s probably a result of multiple factors, be it money based, organizational philosophy, or the likelihood that it’s near impossible to convince hitters with multiple suitors to willingly choose to call baseball’s most offense-suppressing ballpark their home. But the offseason is young, and the Mariners have landed big free agents in the past such as Robbie Ray (when he was coming off a Cy Young Award season), slugger Nelson Cruz or perennial All-Star Robinson Canó. Why not dream big, even if just for now?
So with that out of the way, here are three hitters I think the Mariners should make a run at this offseason.
Seattle Mariners offseason targets
Christian Walker, 1B, Arizona Diamondbacks
6-0, 208 pounds
Bats and throws right-handed
Will be 34 years old next season
2024 stats: .251/.335/.468 (.803 OPS), 26 HR, 26 2B, 130 games
Yeah, I’m still banging this drum.
Christian Walker is good. Really good. And even better, he’s probably not going to be the most sought-after first baseman in free agency this offseason because Pete Alonso (who I think only has the edge over Walker in age) will also be on the market.
Walker slugs no matter where he plays, ranking in the 90th percentile in barrel percentage last year per Statcast, as well as 89th percentile in bat speed, 86th in hard-hit percentage and xwOBA, and 82nd in average exit velocity. He also has a good eye, ranking in the 77th percentile in chase percentage and 73rd in walk percentage. Oh, and he’s a stellar defender at first base (97th percentile in outs above average, which measures defensive range).
Anyways, here’s a video of Walker defeating the marine layer by sending a rocket through the late April sky and into the Mariners’ bullpen at T-Mobile Park.
Brandon Lowe, 2B, Tampa Bay Rays
5-10, 208 pounds
Bats left-handed, throws right-handed
30 years old
2024 stats: .244/.311/.473 (.783 OPS), 21 HR, 19 2B, 107 games
Next up, a guy who isn’t exactly a free agent (and mispronounces his last name, to boot).
Brandon Lowe (last name pronounced like a Hawaiian luau, minus the first ‘U’) is entering the first of two years of club options on his contract, so the Rays have five days to decide whether they’ll pick up his $10.5 million option for 2025 or buy him out for $1 million. While Tampa Bay is known to part ways with players before their salaries go up, it doesn’t necessarily sound like that will be the case this time.
So why is Lowe on this list when he’s probably not going to be a free agent? Because the Rays and Mariners sure like to trade with each other, and it’s kind of surprising Lowe hasn’t already put on a Mariners jersey when you think about that.
The Mariners have their own decision to make about a veteran second baseman’s team option in Jorge Polanco. If they decide to move on from last year’s key offseason trade addition, Lowe seems like a strong candidate to be this year’s key offseason trade addition.
Anthony Santander, RF, Baltimore Orioles
6-2, 230 pounds
Bats switch, throws right-handed
30 years old
2024 stats: .235/.308/.506 (.814 OPS), 44 HR, 25 2B, 155 games
Just imagine this: an imposing hitter walks up to the plate on opening day in a Seattle Mariners uniform, and up pops a chyron that says “44 home runs last season.”
Feels pretty good to think about that, right? See, this is why we dream big when the offseason starts. Be kind to yourself. Think good thoughts.
Santander is going to be a big name in free agency this winter, because signing him could be seen as the silver medal in the Juan Soto sweepstakes. So yeah, he’s going to get a big ol’ contract. Wouldn’t be the worst idea for the Mariners to try to be the team that gets him to sign on the dotted line. Is it likely? Well, probably not. Is it possible? Guess you better ask Kevin Garnett about that.
The only question I’d have about Santander is where he would play for Seattle. He’s a right fielder by trade, but the Mariners have a full outfield in Randy Arozarena, Julio Rodríguez and Victor Robles.
Santander has also played a little first base in his career, and that position is a question mark for the M’s. Pending free agent Justin Turner split time with Luke Raley at first in the final two months of the season for Seattle, and running that back in some form wouldn’t be unwelcome. I say smash those two ideas together and play the matchups.
Always say yes to more good players, especially if it means getting a bat like Santander’s into the fold.
More on the Seattle Mariners’ offseason
• Four insiders dive into what went wrong with Mariners’ offense
• Drayer: Why ‘Who is the best Mariners pitcher?’ is a great question
• Seattle Sports’ Mariners roundtable looks at ’24, ahead to offseason
• Lefko: Mariners snub reveals what’s wrong with Gold Glove process
• Drayer: Important dates for Seattle Mariners offseason
SEATTLE – Western Washington is staying locked into a cool and unsettled weather pattern as we head into the second half of the week.
Showers will continue to rotate through the region over the next several days as a series of weather disturbances move overhead, keeping skies mostly cloudy and temperatures running below average for mid-May.
Thursday will bring a brief break in the action before the next weak system arrives later in the day. Expect scattered showers to redevelop with plenty of cloud cover sticking around. Temperatures will remain cool, with highs near 60 degrees.
It will be cool on Thursday in Western Washington with increasing clouds and showers. (FOX 13 Seattle)
What’s next:
The weather turns a bit more active Friday as the next system swings into the Pacific Northwest. Western Washington will see widespread showers and even the possibility of a few isolated thunderstorms. While not everyone will hear thunder, a few heavier downpours and small hail can’t be ruled out if any storms manage to develop during the afternoon.
Rain showers will push through Western Washington again on Friday afternoon. (FOX 13 Seattle)
Saturday will be cool with scattered showers and another chance for isolated thunderstorms, especially near the Cascades. Afternoon highs will struggle to make it out of the 50s across many lowland Puget Sound area communities.
Mountain travelers should also be prepared for a dramatic change compared to the recent warm spell. Much colder air will filter into the Cascades this weekend, and while significant snow accumulation looks unlikely, higher elevations could still see snow showers and sharply colder conditions. Anyone planning outdoor recreation in the mountains should be ready for winter-like weather at times.
Snow levels will drop to near pass levels in the Washington Cascades Friday through Sunday. (FOX 13 Seattle)
Looking Ahead:
The pattern finally begins to improve late in the weekend and into early next week. High pressure is expected to rebuild over the northeastern Pacific, bringing a return to drier weather and some sunshine. Temperatures should gradually rebound back into the 60s by Monday and Tuesday, although the ridge may remain weak enough to allow for occasional clouds at times.
Temperatures will be cool the next three days with showers in Seattle, but next week will be drier and warmer. (FOX 13 Seattle)
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To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter.
Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.
The Source: Information in this story came from the FOX 13 Seattle Weather Team and the National Weather Service.
SEATTLE – Remember that iconic Gap advertisement with the girl group dancing to “My milkshake brings all the boys to the yard” that took the internet by storm in August?
What we know:
Katseye, the girl-group in the ad, are taking center stage at Climate Pledge Arena on Nov. 17, with ticket sales dropping on Thursday, May 21 and their new EP, Wild, is set to release on Aug. 14 via Hybe x Geffen Records.
The global girl group announced their WILDWORLD TOUR on Wednesday, bringing Katseye to arenas across Europe and North America this fall.
Katseye’s tour will kickoff in Dublin, Ireland on September 1, at Dublin’s 3Arena, while the North American portion of their tour launches Oct. 13 in Miami, Florida at Kaseya Center. Other honorable tour venue mentions include UBS Arena in Belmont Park, NY and Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
The WILDWORLD TOUR will conclude at Palacio de los Deportes in Mexico City on Nov. 27.
Keep reading for ticket information and the full tour itinerary.
Ticket Information
What’s next:
Tickets will be available beginning at the end of May. Specifically, Weverse Artist Presale tickets will be available on Wednesday, May 20 at 11:00 a.m. local time, before the Katseye.World Presale at 3:00 p.m. local time.
General onsale begins Thursday, May 21 at 3:00 p.m. local time at www.katseye.world.
Tour itinerary
KATSEYE – WILDWORLD TOUR
UK/EU
9/1 – Dublin, Ireland – 3Arena
9/3 – London, UK – The O2
9/6 – Manchester, UK – Co-Op Live
9/9 – Paris, France – Accor Arena
9/11 – Amsterdam, Netherlands – Ziggo Dome
9/13 – Cologne, Germany – Lanxess Arena
9/15 – Antwerp, Belgium – AFAS Dome
9/17 – Copenhagen, Denmark – Royal Arena
North America
10/13 – Miami, FL – Kaseya Center
10/15 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena
10/20 – Charlotte, NC – Spectrum Center
10/22 – Washington, DC – Capital One Arena
10/24 – Belmont Park, NY – UBS Arena
10/28 – Boston, MA – TD Garden
10/30 – Montreal, QC – Bell Centre
11/1 – Hamilton, ON – TD Coliseum
11/3 – Detroit, MI – Little Caesars Arena
11/5 – Chicago, IL – United Center
11/7 – Minneapolis, MN – Target Center
11/10 – Austin, TX – Moody Center
11/11 – Dallas, TX – American Airlines Center
11/14 – Las Vegas, NV – MGM Grand Garden Arena
11/17 – Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena
11/19 – Oakland, CA – Oakland Arena
11/21 – Los Angeles, CA – Crypto.com Arena
11/24 – Phoenix, AZ – Mortgage Matchup Center
11/27 – Mexico City, MX – Palacio de los Deportes
2026 Festival Dates
6/5 – New York, NY – The Governors Ball Music Festival
7/30 – Saint Charles, IA – Hinterland Music Festival
8/8 – Pasadena, CA – 88rising Festival: Head In The Clouds
The Source: Information in this story came from a press release from Katseye and the katseye.world website.
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To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter.
Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.
SEATTLE – An upper level low will increase showers and isolated storms overnight. Some storms that develop could produce locally heavy rain, thunder and lightning along with gusty winds. The best chance will be along and east of the I-5 corridor. Scattered showers will be possible during the day. There is also a chance for a light dusting of snow in the higher mountains.
Upper level low will increase showers and isolated storms overnight with scattered showers possible during the day. (FOX13 Seattle)
Wind Advisory in Eastern Washington
As the disturbance crosses through the region, winds will be especially gusty in Central and Eastern Washington. A Wind Advisory will be in effect for many of these locations through late Wednesday night.
Winds will be picking up on Wednesday with gusts nearing 50 mph. (FOX13 Seattle)
What’s next:
After warming into the low 80s on Tuesday, Wednesday will feel quite a bit different. Afternoon highs will only be in the upper 50s and low 60s, a good 20 degrees cooler than just 24 hours ago.
Afternoon highs will be significantly cooler on Wednesday.
Looking Ahead:
Even after Wednesday’s early morning rain, the rest of the week will remain unsettled. Additional chances for showers and cooler into the weekend. We will again near 70 degrees by early next week.
Cooler and wet for Wednesday with additional showers possible this week.
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How to get tickets for Journey’s new Seattle concert date at Climate Pledge Arena
Tacoma man accused of gunning down man sitting on sidewalk
To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter.
Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.
The Source: Information in this story came from the FOX 13 Seattle Weather Team and the National Weather Service.
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