As the Mariners’ 2024 season comes to an end without a playoff berth, Seattle fans find themselves in the familiar offseason routine of looking ahead to the next year. After finishing with a respectable 85-77 record, the team experienced a disappointing collapse in the latter part of the season, signaling that significant changes are necessary. With an eye on 2025, the Mariners will need to evaluate their roster and decide which players to retain and which to let go. Inevitably, some tough decisions will have to be made regarding long-time contributors and recent additions alike.
Here are three Mariners who are unlikely to return for the 2025 season.
**Yimi García**
Yimi García’s time in Seattle has likely come to an end after a rough end to his 2024 season, which was cut short due to right elbow inflammation. While it’s always unfortunate to see a pitcher sidelined by injury, García’s absence didn’t hurt the team down the stretch as much as it might have, given his struggles prior to landing on the injured list. In his final appearances, García allowed runs in three consecutive outings, raising concerns about his consistency and effectiveness.
Before being traded to the Mariners, García showed promise in Toronto, which is why the team brought him to Seattle in exchange for prospects Jonatan Clase and Jacob Sharp. However, despite his initial promise, other relievers like Collin Snider and Troy Taylor performed better and have seemingly earned more secure roles in the bullpen. García’s injury will likely keep him from returning to the Mariners in 2025, as the team will prioritize healthier and more reliable options for their pitching staff.
**Justin Turner**
Veteran infielder Justin Turner, who joined the Mariners midseason, is also unlikely to return in 2025. While Turner has been a solid presence in the clubhouse and brought leadership to the team, age is catching up to him. At 40 years old next season, Turner’s best days are behind him, and the Mariners will need to allocate roster spots to younger, more impactful players.
Turner wasn’t a major liability during his time in Seattle—he batted .261 with a 124 OPS+ across 48 games following his trade to the Mariners. However, the team will be looking to maximize its roster efficiency by bringing in younger talent to help push the team further in 2025. Turner might still have a few more years left in the tank, but it’s more likely that he’ll finish his career with another team, perhaps in a city where he’s more beloved, such as Los Angeles, where he spent much of his prime. The Mariners will be focused on upgrading their roster in every possible way, and Turner, while dependable, doesn’t fit the long-term picture.
**Mitch Haniger**
The potential departure of Mitch Haniger may be the most emotional for Mariners fans. Haniger, a long-time fan favorite, rejoined Seattle in 2024 after spending a year away, but his second stint with the team didn’t live up to expectations. Haniger is set to enter free agency this offseason, and at 34 years old with declining production, it seems unlikely that he’ll return to Seattle in 2025.
Haniger’s struggles, particularly in September, have been hard to overlook. Batting just .200 during the final month of the season, he failed to record a single extra-base hit and ended the year with an OPS+ well below 100 for the second straight season (74 in 2023 and 84 in 2024). These numbers make it difficult to justify bringing him back, especially when younger and more productive options may be available.
For fans, Haniger’s departure will be bittersweet. He was an All-Star and a key player during his first tenure with the Mariners, hitting 119 home runs across six seasons. However, his return to Seattle in 2024 didn’t deliver the magic many hoped for, and it’s likely that his journey will take him elsewhere as he seeks to revive his career outside of the Mariners organization.
As the Mariners head into the offseason, they’ll need to make bold moves to address the weaknesses that led to their late-season collapse. Letting go of García, Turner, and Haniger, while difficult, may be the first steps toward rebuilding a more competitive team for 2025.
