Breaking: Mariners’ Off-Season Plans Exposed: GM Speaks Out on Seattle’s Winter Strategy
Count former MLB general managers Jim Duquette and Jim Bowden among those concerned for Seattle Mariners president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto’s well-being as he has yet to make a trade – or make any significant addition – to the 2025 roster this offseason.
“He’s alive. I spoke to him yesterday, he’s doing well,” Mariners general manager Justin Hollander answer with a laugh when he joined Duquette and Bowden on MLB Network Radio’s Front Office show this weekend.
Despite being out of character for “Trader Jerry,” the question of course was in jest. And if there is unease on the part of fans in seeing no significant moves to date, Hollander assured the hosts there is no cause for concern.
“There just hasn’t been the right set of circumstances yet to allow us to add, but I am confident we’ll get there,” Hollander said.
Mariners’ trade deadline pickup returns to former team
How they get there was of interest to the hosts, who asked if it more likely in the current environment that the Mariners will find the help they are looking for in trade or free agency.
“It’s probably evenly split,” Hollander responded. “It’s really hard to make trades, but if you keep grinding at it you can find matches with teams, especially if you are willing to be creative. Obviously, the free agent market comes with its own perils. You have to be willing to get a little uncomfortable on the free agent market. I think we are willing to do both those things. On the trade end, we are willing to be creative and try to find ways to make deals work for everyone, and on the free agent front, we will get a little irrational if we need to be. I think they are probably equally likely for us at this stage and we are continuing to make calls every day on both ends.”
