> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.emeraldcityspectrum.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Orlando Action: Three Mariners Takeaways from 2025 Winter Meetings’ First Big Flurry - URL: https://www.emeraldcityspectrum.com/orlando-action-three-takeaways-mariners-from-2025-winter-meetings-first-big-flurry/ - Published: 2025-12-09T21:24:40.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-08T05:57:06.000Z - Author: Callaghan Bluechel - Tags: News, Analysis, Mariners, Jorge Polanco, Edwin Diaz, Kyle Schwarber, Tarik Skubal, Ketel Marte, 2025 MLB Offseason, 2025 MLB Winter Meetings [Embed from Getty Images](https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/2241519375?ref=emeraldcityspectrum.com) ORLANDO, Fla. — Although the first two days of the 2025 MLB winter meetings went by without much action, a flurry of moves early on Tuesday, Dec. 9 took some potential Mariners targets off the board, gave some insight into how much it would cost for the Mariners to knock off the remaining items on their to-do list, and gave the M’s (and everyone else) a reminder of the benefits a winning ball club can bring. Still, the Mariners haven’t made any big moves in Orlando, and whether by signing or by trade, each big player that comes off the block will give the remaining teams and players more leverage on any return package from Seattle. ### 1\. It’s a seller’s market around the league. This could be gleaned from the fact the M’s had to sweeten the Ford-Ferrer deal with minor league hurler Isaac Lyon, but it’s also clear from the rest of the moves that big-league talent is coming at a big-league price, both off the trade block and in free agency. Designated hitter Kyle Schwarber, who will be 33 in the 2026 season, returned to the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday with a five-year, $150 million contract - an average annual value (AAV) of $30 million. Schwarber was a big-time producer for the City of Brotherly Love in 2025, with a .240/.365/.563 slash line, 56 home runs, 23 doubles, and an MLB-leading 132 RBIs, and is seemingly unaffected by age as he moves into his mid-30s. The move also proves to free agents and the rest of the league that the Phillies are looking to compete in 2026, increasing the options for organizations looking to collect trade returns or player agents looking to back up the truck for their clients. Other signings made before the winter meetings bolster this reality. Starting pitcher Dylan Cease locked up a seven-year, $210 million deal with the Blue Jays earlier in December while top relievers Devin Williams and Raisel Iglesias each got upwards of $15 million per year. Meanwhile, the teams with big stars to sell haven’t yet pulled the trigger on any trades. The Arizona Diamondbacks, who could very well compete in 2026, are reportedly asking a big price on Ketel Marte, and the Red Sox’ [public indications that they’re willing to deal starters to get the players they want](https://web.archive.org/web/20251209201250/https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/12/breslow-red-sox-willing-to-trade-controllable-starting-pitching.html) (including Marte) are a notable raise. ### 2\. Winning begets winning - and discounts? Closer Edwin Díaz is [bringing his trumpets to Dodger Stadium](https://web.archive.org/web/20251209202039/https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/12/dodgers-sign-edwin-diaz.html), and the price was a hefty one: $69 million over three years for a $33 million AAV. It’s the most annual value a reliever has ever received, proving the seller’s market as aforementioned. But if reports are to be believed, [not only was the Mets’ offer almost at that level, Queens was willing to go higher, too](https://x.com/AnthonyDiComo/status/1998447677948964881?ref=emeraldcityspectrum.com). The dollars and cents, however, aren’t the sole thing a player cares about. The Dodgers are fresh off their second straight World Series championship; the Mets are fresh off a horrific late-season collapse. Aside from the Grimace Mets 2024 run, there hasn’t been a whole lot to celebrate in Citi Field during Díaz’ time there, despite Mets owner Steve Cohen’s large and open wallet. Neither Díaz nor his agency (Wasserman) have made any comments to that effect, but of the relatively team-friendly deals we’ve seen over the winter, a lot of them have to do with non-monetary things such as culture and on-field success. It stands to reason that Chavez Ravine’s winning ways had at least a little to do with Díaz’ decision to follow the path of Brooklyn’s old squad, 68 years later. Seattle is a well-poised squad for the future, but they can’t afford to rest on their laurels - 2026 must be a big-time year. ### 3\. None of the Mariners’ targets are off the board, but the M’s might have to pick and choose. The good news for Seattle is that Jorge Polanco, Ketel Marte, Tarik Skubal, and everyone else they’ve been linked to are still available. The flipside, of course, is that Detroit, Arizona, and Octagon agency are asking for a lot. All else equal, the M’s are most interested in returning Jorge Polanco to the team, but what Polanco is asking for - three to four years with an average annual value of $12 million or more, [according to *The* *Seattle Times’* Ryan Divish](https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/mariners/jorge-polanco-is-reportedly-going-to-sign-a-deal-soon-will-it-be-with-the-mariners/?ref=emeraldcityspectrum.com) \- is a lot for the M’s. For one, that would push the team’s payroll to around the high end of the team’s estimates for what Opening Day 2026 would look like, constraining the front office’s ability to make other moves both due to the payroll inflexibility itself but also due to the fact that other teams would know that. But Polanco’s age (he will turn 33 next year) is a bigger sticking point. He will almost certainly be a solid performer in 2026, but beyond that, the M’s aren’t willing to make too much of a commitment to what could turn into an albatross contract during the premier years of some of the team’s biggest stars, and so they’re looking for something in the two-year range with a third-year option. The infielder is certainly testing the market to see what else is available in case Seattle isn’t willing to budge, and if he does indeed go elsewhere, that tunnels T-Mobile Park towards other options. Detroit [has all but indicated that Skubal is on the board for the right price](https://web.archive.org/web/20251209210349/https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/12/scott-harris-no-untouchables-on-tigers-roster.html), but that price will be big in both player returns and, for Seattle, dollars and cents. The Tigers’ star pitcher is likely going to make upwards of $20 million next year, pending arbitration, and moving him to Seattle would almost certainly mean shedding salary elsewhere, such as Randy Arozarena or Luis Castillo. Marte is set to make at least $91 million over the next five years with an $11 million player option for 2031 and some other incentives based on plate appearances and MVP voting. Both of them are drawing a lot of interest from around the league and both are sitting on teams who very well could try to make a big run in 2026, driving up their prices even further. Other potential M’s targets have been less discussed in Orlando, but if Seattle needs to bail on some of the big fish, they could strike a relatively early deal to fill out the roster with other talent.