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After narrowly missing out on the AL West crown and the postseason in 2023, the Mariners were forced to get creative this offseason. But that didn’t stop them from putting together a seemingly deeper lineup. Will signing Mitch Garver and trading for Mitch Haniger, Jorge Polanco and Luke Raley take Seattle’s offense to the next level in 2024? Only time will tell. Here’s a look at the projected lineup for opening day on March 28.

By Adam Jude and Rich Boudet
Photographs by Dean Rutz
Published March 27, 2024

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3
J.P. Crawford, SS

  • Age: 29
  • Height: 6-2
  • Weight: 202
  • Bats: Left

2024 outlook

It all came together last year for Crawford, who emerged as a bona-fide leadoff hitter and a respected leader for a Mariners team that needed both. Crawford was a top-10 hitter in the American League with a 4.9 FanGraphs WAR, and his .380 on-base percentage ranked fourth in the league. He set career highs in runs (93), home runs (19), RBI (65), walks (94), on-base percentage (.380), slugging percentage (.438) and OPS (.818).

Did you know?

Crawford led the AL with 94 walks last season, becoming the first player in franchise history to lead the league in walks and the first shortstop (minimum 60% of games at SS) to lead his league in walks since Pee-Wee Reese led the NL with 104 walks for the 1947 Brooklyn Dodgers.

AvgRHRRBISBOBPSLGfWAR
2023.2669319652.380.4384.9
Career.2523414624922.344.37613.4
Photo by Dean Rutz / The Seattle Times
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44
Julio Rodriguez, CF

  • Age: 23
  • Height: 6-3
  • Weight: 228
  • Bats: Right

2024 outlook

In a season he described as “a sophomore slump,” Rodriguez continued his ascent as one of the game’s best all-around players, finishing fourth in AL MVP voting and fourth with a 5.9 fWAR. He joined the 30/30 club, making him just the fourth player age 22 or younger to do so (joining Alex Rodriguez, Mike Trout and Ronald Acuña Jr.).

Did you know?

Rodriguez has a 11.5 Baseball Reference WAR through his first two seasons, joining Joe DiMaggio (13.1), Oscar Charleston (11.5) and Mike Trout (11.0).

AvgRHRRBISBOBPSLGfWAR
2023.2751023210337.333.4855.9
Career.2791866017862.338.49511.3
Photo by Dean Rutz / The Seattle Times
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11
Jorge Polanco, 2B

  • Age: 30
  • Height: 5-11
  • Weight: 208
  • Bats: Switch

2024 outlook

Acquired from Minnesota in a January trade, the switch-hitting Polanco fills voids at second base and in the No. 3 spot in the M’s lineup. A 2019 All-Star, Polanco hit a career-high 33 homers with 98 RBI for the Twins in 2021. He was limited to 80 games last season because of knee and hamstring injuries, posting a .255 average with 14 homers, 18 doubles and a career-high 25.7% strikeout rate. Lauded for his work ethic and professionalism, he’s expected to provide a mature approach and consistent production hitting in an important spot behind Julio Rodriguez.

Did you know?

Polanco has a career average of .315 and an OPS of .907 in 828 plate appearances with runners in scoring position. In 2023, he hit .361 (13-for-36) with a 1.161 OPS with runners in scoring position and two outs.

AvgRHRRBISBOBPSLGfWAR
2023.2553814484.335.4541.5
Career.26944311244751.334.44615.4
Photo by Dean Rutz / The Seattle Times
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18
Mitch Garver, DH

  • Age: 33
  • Height: 6-1
  • Weight: 220
  • Bats: Right

2024 outlook

The Mariners signed Garver to a two-year, $24 million deal, the largest contract given to a free-agent hitter during the Jerry Dipoto/Scott Servais era. A catcher for most of his career with the Twins and Rangers, Garver will assume DH duties on a full-time basis this season, the Mariners’ first regular DH since Nelson Cruz in 2018. Garver hit in the middle of the Rangers’ lineup during their postseason run last fall, homering in Game 1 of the World Series and driving in the winning run in the clinching Game 5 victory over Arizona. He has the experience and the pop the Mariners needed for their offense.

Did you know?

Garver ranked as one of the most disciplined hitters in the league last season, swinging at just 17.6% of pitches that were out of the strike zone. That was the fourth-best mark in the AL among hitters with 300 plate appearances.

AvgRHRRBISBOBPSLGfWAR
2023.2704519500.370.5002.1
Career.252218822282.342.4838.7
Photo by Dean Rutz / The Seattle Times
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29
Cal Raleigh, C

  • Age: 27
  • Height: 6-3
  • Weight: 235
  • Bats: Switch

2024 outlook

More than just a franchise catcher, Raleigh has solidified his place as a franchise cornerstone, both for his work with the pitching staff and his switch-hitting presence in the middle of the lineup. He’s everything you want in a catcher and he’s right in the prime of his career. A first All-Star appearance and a first Gold Glove award are both realistic goals for Raleigh in 2024.

Did you know?

Raleigh hit 30 homers last season and threw out 24 baserunners, the first catcher since Mike Piazza in 1993 to lead all MLB catchers in both categories.

AvgRHRRBISBOBPSLGfWAR
2023.2327830750.306.4564.7
Career.217130591511.287.4489.0
Photo by Dean Rutz / The Seattle Times
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17
Mitch Haniger, RF

  • Age: 33
  • Height: 6-2
  • Weight: 214
  • Bats: Right

2024 outlook

He’s back. From 2017-22, Haniger was one of the Mariners’ most productive and most respected players, consistently hitting in the middle of the lineup and ably manning right field. An All-Star in 2019, he set career highs in 2021 with 39 homers and 100 RBI. After the 2022 season, he signed a three-year deal with San Francisco but played in just 61 games for the Giants last season because of three trips to the injured list. The Mariners reacquired him this offseason in a trade that sent away Robbie Ray. While the club will monitor his workload closely throughout the season, Haniger’s productive spring has the Mariners encouraged about what a healthy year from their right fielder could add to the lineup.

Did you know?

During his last full season, in 2021, Haniger set career highs with 39 homers and 100 RBI in 157 games.

AvgRHRRBISBOBPSLGfWAR
2023.209276281.266.365-0.2
Career.25637111835119.329.46611.6
Photo by Dean Rutz / The Seattle Times
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8
Dominic Canzone, LF

  • Age: 26
  • Height: 6-0
  • Weight: 205
  • Bats: Left

2024 outlook

Acquired from Arizona in the Paul Sewald trade last summer, Canzone had an up-and-down rookie season in 59 games between the Diamondbacks and Mariners. He reworked his swing and added 15 pounds of bulk in the offseason, and his performance this spring has earned him a regular role in one of the corner outfield spots. He’ll surely be in the lineup most games against right-handed pitchers, and the Mariners are hopeful a breakout season is imminent.

Did you know?

When the minor-league season was canceled in 2020, he returned to Ohio State University and completed his undergraduate degree in sports management.

AvgRHRRBISBOBPSLGfWAR
2023.220236211.258.299-0.5
Career.220236211.258.399-0.5
Photo by Dean Rutz / The Seattle Times
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23
Ty France, 1B

  • Age: 29
  • Height: 5-11
  • Weight: 217
  • Bats: Right

2024 outlook

An AL All-Star in 2022, France saw his production decline significantly in 2023. France made some notable swing alterations working at Driveline this winter, and he reported to spring training noticeably slimmer, changes he hopes will lead to the sort of renaissance his close friend J.P. Crawford experienced after his work with Driveline a year ago. If France can rebound close to his 2021-22 level of production, he would be the best No. 8 hitter in the league.

Did you know?

France has been hit by a pitch 82 times since 2021, by far the most in baseball. His 34 hit-by-pitches last season were the most in any season since 1997 and tied for the third-most of any player in a season since 1900.

AvgRHRRBISBOBPSLGfWAR
2023.2507912581.337.3660.5
Career.270268612611.344.4176.5
Photo by Dean Rutz / The Seattle Times
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4
Josh Rojas, 3B

  • Age: 29
  • Height: 6-1
  • Weight: 207
  • Bats: Left

2024 outlook

Another piece acquired in the Paul Sewald trade, Rojas helped fill a void at second base over the final two months of the 2023 season, hitting .272 with a .721 OPS in 46 games with the Mariners. He now shifts over to third base, where he’ll start the season as the strong-sided end of a platoon with Luis Urias. There are some concerns about a defensive drop-off at the hot corner, but the Mariners have been pleased with Rojas’ professional approach hitting at the bottom of the lineup.

Did you know?

Before transferring to the University of Hawaii, Rojas began his career at Paradise Valley (Ariz.) Community College from 2013-15, becoming the first player from PVCC to reach the majors.

AvgRHRRBISBOBPSLGfWAR
2023.2454744012.303.3381.1
Career.2532082615849.329.3695.4
Photo by Dean Rutz / The Seattle Times
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58
Luis Castillo, RHP

  • Age: 31
  • Height: 6-2
  • Weight: 200
  • Bats: Right

2024 outlook

After finishing fifth in the AL Cy Young voting last season, The Rock returns to lead Seattle’s pitching staff, intent on winning his first Cy Young. More than just an ace, he has the arsenal and the attitude to be the premier pitcher in the game. In 2023, Castillo’s four-seam fastball again ranked as one of MLB’s best pitches; he held batters to a .165 average and got a swing-and-miss on one out of every three four-seamers he threw.

Did you know?

Castillo has recorded 296 strikeouts in his 44 starts with the Mariners, the most strikeouts by any pitcher in club history through 44 starts.

W-LERAGSKBBBAAfWAR
202314-93.343321956.2183.4
Career62-643.541811156360.22521.7
Photo by Dean Rutz / The Seattle Times
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Adam Jude: ajude@seattletimes.com; Adam Jude covers the Mariners and other teams for The Seattle Times.
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