Much of the conversation surrounding the Seattle Mariners’ offseason needs has focused on the infield, particularly the potential acquisition of a power hitter for first base. However, there’s still a gap at the other corner following the departures of Luis Urías and Josh Rojas from the roster.
Now that Rojas has signed with a new team, it could close the door on any potential trades with the two clubs that were competing for his services.
It’s been a busy winter in Chicago. The Cubs have already made a few major moves to revamp their outfield and recently added more infield depth with a trade from the Marlins. The White Sox, typically quiet in the offseason, have been more active after trading their star pitcher. Both teams had expressed interest in Rojas, and while the White Sox ultimately signed him, it raises the question: what did both teams see in him that the Mariners didn’t?
One prevailing theory is that the Cubs’ front office is aiming to create the most defensively sound infield in baseball. Last season, they struggled with fielding from the hot corner with Christopher Morel and Isaac Paredes, both below-average defenders. While Rojas had a below-average OPS+ of 91 in 2024, he saved seven defensive runs at third base. For the White Sox, any improvement would help after a rough year with Lenyn Sosa and Miguel Vargas at third base. While there’s still work to do after finishing with only 41 wins last season, Rojas is seen as a step in the right direction for them.
Does this mean the Mariners missed out? Probably not. Having seen Rojas play in 188 games as a Mariner, Seattle had a clear sense of his strengths and weaknesses. His excellent glove was valued, but given the team’s pitching prowess compared to its lineup, exchanging defense for offense didn’t seem like a net-positive move for Seattle. This is why most of the free agents linked to the Mariners are typically strong offensive players. Additionally, Rojas was expected to make over $4 million in arbitration, a significant amount for a team like the Mariners with financial constraints.
Would it have been smarter to pay his salary and use him as a trade asset? Maybe, but there was no guarantee of interest at that price. With the Cubs now out of the race, they are still likely seeking infield help before Opening Day. This also means any hopes of acquiring Nico Hoerner are probably gone, as the Cubs can no longer afford to part with major-league talent if they want to maximize their one-year window with Kyle Tucker.
With both Chicago teams unable or unwilling to offer meaningful assets, it seems the Mariners will need to look elsewhere for their next roster addition.
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