The Mariners announce CJ Gillman as their new hitting coach while awaiting a manager, and pitcher Michael Arroyo faces an elbow scope with a slated return in April 2027. Ryan Blake shares 2027 projection insights, and Kate Preusser outlines key offseason dates. Washington State honors John Olerud with a new statue, and Seattle’s pioneering female umpire Christine Wren passes at 78. League-wide moves include the Astros hiring Randy Flores as GM, the Seibu Lions posting right‑hander Kaima Taira to MLB, and the Diamondbacks targeting controllable starters amid talks for Ketel Marte. Over The Monster warns the upcoming lockout could sour offseason optimism.
The article weighs the Phillies' winter options of signing outfield powerhouses Seiya Suzuki or Randy Arozarena, both expected to decline qualifying offers and cost the club a $1 million international bonus pool slot plus the 2027 second‑ and fifth‑round draft picks. Each could demand a five‑year, $100 million‑plus deal, despite both entering 32‑year‑old seasons after career‑year performances. Suzuki posted a .270 line with 26 HRs, 86 RBI and a .841 OPS in 2026, boosting his value with a dramatic defensive upgrade in right field (14 DRS). Arozarena led the AL with 113 runs, hit 26 homers and posted an .865 OPS despite Seattle’s weak offense. The piece also notes Suzuki could grow the Phillies’ Japanese market presence, while Ian Happ presents a cheaper alternative. The analysis asks which outfielder justifies the steep price for Philadelphia.
The Seattle Mariners have added C.J. Gillman to their 2027 big‑league staff as hitting coach, according to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, Chandler Rome and Spencer Nusbaum. Gillman, who spent 2026 as the Washington Nationals’ Director of Hitting, previously served as the Mariners’ Minor League Hitting Coordinator from 2022‑25, giving him familiarity with emerging talent like Cole Young, Colt Emerson, Lázaro Montes and Michael Arroyo. While Seattle still searches for a manager, the club hopes Gillman’s “Do Damage” philosophy will spark the same offensive jump the Nationals saw last season. Published October 30, 2026 on Lookout Landing.
The Seattle Mariners reveal that second baseman/left fielder Michael Arroyo underwent an elbow scope performed by Dr. Keith Meister two days ago to clean up cartilage and address a chronic UCL injury. The top prospect is expected to be back in game action by April 2027.
The Mariners are set to hire CJ Gillman as the new hitting coach, according to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, Chandler Rome, and Spencer Nusbaum. Gillman formerly worked as Seattle’s minor league hitting coordinator from 2022-25, before spending last season as the Nationals’ director of hitting. More to come…
The Arizona Diamondbacks are targeting a controllable starter via trade as they trim payroll after a 4.28 ERA rotation in 2026. GM Mike Hazen favors a deal over free agency, eyeing arms like Mariners' Bryce Miller, Angels' Reid Detmers, or Yankees' Will Warren, while possibly packaging outfield prospects Jordan Lawlar or Ryan Waldschmidt. While Eduardo Rodriguez (2.89 ERA, 3.2 fWAR) and Corbin Burnes remain, the futures of free‑agent Michael Soroka and struggling Zac Gallen are uncertain. Adding a strikeout‑focused pitcher could bolster a rotation that still includes Merrill Kelly and Ryne Nelson.
Trent Thornton, the Cubs' $1 million fungible reliever, posted a strong 2.32 ERA and 1.055 WHIP over 41 outings before a disastrous Aug. 28 game versus the Reds cost him the lead. After a solid stint with Seattle in 2024 (3.35 ERA, 1.200 WHIP, 0.7 bWAR) and a rehab‑filled start to 2026, his 15.8% strikeout rate and lack of 98 mph stuff raise doubts. At 33, Thornton may not fit Chicago’s need for high‑velocity arms, so the author recommends passing on re‑signing him for 2027.
The Lookout Landing piece breaks down the Seattle Mariners' uphill battle to reach the 2027 postseason, noting the club posted a league‑low 30.1 fWAR in 2026, with only 5.5 coming from Randy Arozarena. To contend, the team must add about 15 WAR through player development and acquisitions. Analyzing the projected Opening‑Day lineup, the author estimates the top nine hitters will generate roughly 22.8 WAR—a drop from ZiPS forecasts but still enough for an eighth‑place ranking. Pitching projections total 17.1 WAR, again placing Seattle in the league’s top eight. The article highlights key uncertainties, including injuries to Cal Raleigh and Julio Rodríguez, the performance of 2½ rookies, and the role of emerging arm Kade Anderson.
The Mariners announce key roster moves as the offseason begins: they claim former Giants outfielder Grant McCray off waivers and decide on three team options, while staff debate Joe Espada versus Jason Kanzler for the managerial job. Across MLB, the A’s trade for outfielder Nate Eaton from Boston, the Tigers acquire infielder Tsung‑Che Cheng, and the Astros target Brewers’ Matt Kleine for their GM spot. Additional notes include Tatsuya Imai staying with Houston and Dustin May entering free agency.
The MLB offseason heats up as the Mariners narrow their managerial race to former Astros coach Joe Espada and Cubs development director Jason Kanzler, with a decision expected this weekend and a press conference early next week. Meanwhile, the Astros push forward on their GM search, eyeing Brewers assistant Matt Kleine as the top candidate ahead of free‑agency opening on November 2. MLB Trade Rumors also releases its Top 40 trade candidates, highlighting Reid Detmers, Drew Rasmussen, Zach Neto and Ketel Marte as key targets as teams look to upgrade before the lockout‑threatened market.
The Lookout Landing staff debates Seattle’s two front‑runner candidates to replace Dan Wilson: Astros coach Joe Espada and former Astros assistant Jason Kanzler. Both have been slated for in‑person interviews, according to a Seattle Times report cited by Adam Jude. Contributors note Espada’s 54 % career win rate, two AL West titles and Spanish fluency, while others argue Kanzler’s younger, tech‑savvy profile could bring fresh energy. The Slack chat also references potential alternatives from the Rays, Brewers and the Nationals’ Blake Butera, highlighting the club’s dilemma between proven experience and youthful enthusiasm. As the Mariners inch toward a decision, the staff’s varied opinions underscore the stakes of the managerial hire.
Five players exit the San Francisco Giants' 40-man roster just days after the Brewers win the World Series. Left-handed reliever Matt Gage, infielder Osleivis Basabe, and right‑hander Jason Foley are waived and outrighted to Triple‑A, while outfielder Grant McCray is claimed by Seattle and right‑hander Braxton Roxby heads to Washington. The moves shrink the Giants’ roster from a record 71 players used this season to 52, as they prepare for a flurry of additional cuts and Rule 5 protection decisions before the November 17 deadline. Key names staying put include Logan Webb, Matt Chapman, and Rafael Devers.
On Hot Stove day the Seattle Mariners announced they exercised relief pitcher Andrés Muñoz’s $10 million club option after a down 2026 season, while declining options on outfielder Víctor Robles ($9 million) and starter Bryce Miller ($6.075 million). Muñoz’s ERA jumped to 4.24 but he posted strong strikeout and walk rates, hinting at a bounce‑back. Robles, once a 3.2 fWAR fireball, struggled with injuries and will likely move on. Miller, after a 4.17 ERA in 2026 and a $15K buyout, faces arbitration at $3.9 million as his role wanes. The Mariners’ 40‑man roster now has eight players returning from the 60‑day IL.
On to the 2026-27 offseason! The Seattle Mariners are keeping closer Andrés Muñoz for another season but moving on from starting pitcher Bryce Miller and outfielder Victor Robles after declining their respective options, according to Bob Nightengale. Seattle exercised Muñoz’s $9 million option, ensuring one of the most reliable relievers in baseball remains in its […]
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The Seattle Mariners claim outfielder Grant McCray off waivers from the San Francisco Giants as roster shuffling kicks off after the World Series. McCray, a 26‑year‑old third‑round pick (2019), posted a modest .170/.235/.323 line in 102 MLB games but ranks in the 95th percentile for sprint speed and has stolen 13 bases unhindered. Seattle’s 40‑man roster now sits at 35, with plans to reach 43 in the offseason, while the Giants face a crowded 56‑man roster. The Mariners envision an outfield of Julio Rodríguez, Lazaro Montes, Dominic Canzone, Luke Raley and Brennen Davis, and view McCray as a depth piece with a remaining option for 2027.
The Seattle Mariners exercise the $9 million club option on closer Andrés Muñoz, while declining the $6.075 million option on right‑hander Bryce Miller and the $9 million option on outfielder Victor Robles. Miller stays under team control through 2029 via arbitration, with a $15 K buyout on the 2026 option and a projected $3.9 million arbitration salary. Robles receives a $500 K buyout and enters free agency. Further details are pending.
After a chaotic offseason that saw José Suárez DFA’d twice, the right‑hander returns to the Atlanta Braves only to make eight appearances in 2026 before being cut again. He earns a spot on the Opening Day roster, starts the season opener against the Athletics, and later dominates the Nationals in a brief spot start, but his 6.60 ERA and 15.2% walk rate undermine his solid 2.73 FIP and low HR/FB rate. The Mariners claim him briefly, then he lands with Oakland, posting a respectable 0.6 fWAR over 36 games before being released in September. Suárez’s season highlights include a 2.7% barrel rate (99th percentile) and a 32.3% hard‑hit rate (91st percentile).
The Lookout Landing column spotlights under‑the‑radar candidates the Seattle Mariners could tap as they overhaul their coaching staff. From the AL West, 56‑year‑old Todd Takayoshi, the Oakland A’s minor‑league hitting coordinator, brings 20+ years of player‑development experience and local Seattle ties. In the NL West, the piece highlights 33‑year‑old Nic Wilson, the Colorado Rockies’ assistant hitting coach praised for elite communication skills, and 42‑year‑old Ryley Westman, the San Diego Padres’ director of player development known for his versatile coaching background and strong rapport with young talent. The article skips the Dodgers and Astros, focusing on these three prospects as potential Mariners hires.
The Milwaukee Brewers clinch their first-ever World Series title, beating the Tampa Bay Rays 4-1 on October 28, 2026, with William Contreras hoisting the Willie Mays MVP trophy. The post‑season wrap‑up notes the Brewers' dominant run and highlights the Contreras brothers' historic impact. Meanwhile, the Seattle Mariners are in the final stage of their managerial search, weighing Joe Espada against Jason Kanzler, with a decision expected this week. Additional league news includes the Astros interviewing Oz Ocampo for assistant GM and a debate about giving Aaron Ashby another rotation chance next season.
Sportsnaut outlines one likely trade target from each AL West club ahead of the 2027 season. The Astros could move 35‑year‑old first baseman Christian Walker—who’s hit 25+ homers for five straight years—if a team like the Diamondbacks, Guardians or Tigers bites. The Rangers may flip left‑hander MacKenzie Gore, whose 2026 season posted a 4.58 ERA and 1.34 WHIP, to suitors such as the Marlins, Mets or Tigers. Seattle’s durable right‑hander Logan Gilbert, a $15 million man with a 3.60 ERA over 2021‑26, might be dealt if the Mariners choose a rebuild, with the Cubs, Diamondbacks or Padres in the mix. Oakland’s catcher Shea Langeliers is also flagged as a potential mover. Each player’s contract status and recent performance fuel the speculation.
Five active MLB teams still lack a World Series ring: the San Diego Padres, Milwaukee Brewers, Seattle Mariners, Colorado Rockies and Tampa Bay Rays. The Mariners are the only franchise never to win an American League pennant or reach the Fall Classic since 1977. The Padres (1984, 1998), Brewers (1982), Rockies (2007) and Rays (2008, 2020) have all appeared in the Series but fell short, with the Rays pushing the Dodgers to six games in the pandemic‑shortened 2020 season. The Padres and Brewers share the longest active droughts at 57 seasons, while the Rangers ended a 63‑year drought by winning in 2023.
Randy Arozarena, a 20‑20 player for six straight seasons, enters free agency after a career‑year in 2026—.281/.381/.484 for a .865 OPS, 26 homers, 26 steals and a league‑leading 113 runs. Insider Jim Bowden flags four likely suitors: the Phillies, who need a right‑handed outfielder to lift their league‑worst OPS; the Mariners, hoping to retain his best‑ever output despite a bottom‑ranked offense; the Braves, who lack on‑base talent (28th in OBP) despite strong slugging; and the Reds, who sit last in batting average and OBP. Each club views Arozarena as a potential catalyst for offensive revival.
In the second installment of his Mariners coaching deep‑dive, the author turns to NL East prospects while the AL East and NL Central battle in the World Series. He profiles three under‑the‑radar candidates: Phillies third‑base coach Anthony Contreras, a West‑coast native and former IronPigs manager now possibly available after the team hired Carlos Mendoza; Mets director of defense Tucker Frawley, a former Yale assistant known for his analytical approach to infield play; and free‑agent former Mariners infielder Matt Tuiasosopo, whose PNW roots and recent stint as a Braves minor‑league coordinator could make him a hometown fit. Each profile includes age, current role, and a player quote highlighting their coaching style.
Former Ray Ben Williamson delivers a walk‑off single in the 12th inning, giving Tampa Bay a 4‑3 win over Milwaukee in Game 4 of the 2026 World Series on Oct. 27 at Tropicana Field. The victory forces a Game 5 as the Brewers look to clinch. Meanwhile, the Mariners consider ex‑Astros manager Joe Espada and Cubs player‑development director Jason Kanzler as finalists for their vacant manager role, with a decision expected by month’s end. Other notes: Twins' Jeff Hoffman faces surgery, Jorge Posada feels unwelcome with the Yankees, and the Astros release Nelson Velázquez for an Asia move.
The Athletic's Jim Bowden believes the Minnesota Twins are a good fit for Mariners free agent J.P. Crawford.