Seattle Mariners Non-Tender Three Players Ahead of 2026 Season
Nov. 21, 2025 Updated Nov. 22, 2025
By Shannon Drayer, Mariners Insider (Seattle Sports)
The MLB deadline for tendering contracts to arbitration-eligible players has passed, and the Seattle Mariners have elected not to tender contracts to three relievers: Gregory Santos, Trent Thornton, and Tayler Saucedo.
MLB Trade Rumors had projected Santos to earn $800,000 for 2026, while Thornton was expected to make $2.5 million in what would have been his final arbitration year.
Saucedo had already been designated for assignment earlier in the week, a move made to clear space on the 40-man roster for pitcher Alex Hoppe, who arrived via trade with the Boston Red Sox.
Santos, who joined Seattle in February 2024 in a deal with the Chicago White Sox involving Prelander Berroa and Zach DeLoach, was originally expected to take on key bullpen innings. However, injuries derailed his time with the Mariners, limiting him to just 16 total appearances across two seasons.
During the 2025 campaign, he worked seven innings over eight outings, posting a 5.14 ERA, issuing eight walks, and failing to record a strikeout. He now heads to free agency.
Thornton’s season ended in early August after he tore his Achilles tendon while covering first base on a play. He’s unlikely to be fully recovered in time for the start of the 2026 season. Though now a free agent as well, the possibility remains that Seattle could bring him back on a reduced contract.
The Mariners tendered contracts for 2026 to the following arbitration-eligible players, along with MLB Trade Rumors’ projected salaries:
- Randy Arozarena — $18.2 million
- Logan Gilbert — $10 million
- Gabe Speier — $1.7 million
- George Kirby — $5.4 million
- Matt Brash — $1.8 million
- Luke Raley — $1.8 million
- Bryce Miller — $2.4 million
- Jackson Kowar — $800,000
Teams and players who received tenders may negotiate their 2026 salaries up until arbitration hearings in February.
In all, 31 players received tendered contracts from Seattle eight arbitration-eligible and 23 pre-arbitration players. After these moves, the Mariners’ 40-man roster sits at 38 players.
Leave a Reply