The Seattle Mariners’ approach to retaining key players was highlighted on April 7, as the team continues its strategy of signing core athletes to long-term contract extensions. The most recent example is Colt Emerson, who agreed last week to an eight-year, $95 million extension.
Securing these contracts is important for the Mariners as it provides stability and allows for better planning in future seasons. The team’s leadership says this method helps build a strong foundation and keeps talented players in Seattle.
Jerry Dipoto, president of baseball operations for the Mariners, said, “We engaged a number of different players during the course of Spring Training.” He added that keeping homegrown talent is central to their plans: “This is part of our roster-building plan. We draft them, we develop them, we want to keep them with the Mariners. And that goes for everyone down there. If there is mutual interest, and we can find something that works for both sides, we are happy to continue to engage our players and use this as part of our long-term roster-building plan.”
Since emerging from a rebuild in 2021, several notable players have signed extensions with Seattle: Luis Castillo (five years), J.P. Crawford (five years), Andrés Muñoz (four years), Cal Raleigh (six years), Victor Robles (two years), and Julio Rodríguez (twelve years). Most deals were completed before free agency became imminent for these athletes.
Dipoto explained the philosophy behind these agreements: “We’re always trying to do deals where the player never feels like he was taken advantage of… So it’s a risk on both sides.” He also said about Emerson’s deal structure: “And the way we distributed the salaries through the course of the contract allows us to continue to do things like this in the years to come.”
Looking ahead, some current contracts will expire next year—such as those held by Randy Arozarena ($15.65 million), J.P. Crawford ($12 million) and Rob Refsnyder ($6.25 million)—which could free up resources for additional signings or extensions.
“We’re built to be good for a long time,” Dipoto said about Seattle’s future prospects. “And a lot of the guys down in that clubhouse are going to be here for many, many years.”
