The multiple-time Gold Glove winner is listed as a possible free agent for the Seattle Mariners – Sports Illustrated

The Seattle Mariners made their first offseason moves on Friday.

The Mariners declined the option on third baseman Jorge Polanco and third baseman Luis Urias on waivers and selected free agency.

The move confirmed Seattle’s need for several infield spots: first base, second base and third.

There are several free agents for the Mariners to pursue. But comments made after the season by team owner/chairman John Stanton are likely to remove several of the biggest names from the team’s board.

With that in mind, Adam Judd of the Seattle Times published an article featuring four players who are “in (the) Mariners’ price range.” Among those players was Arizona Diamondbacks starting first baseman Christian Walker.

Walker is a two-time Gold Glove first baseman and could win his third this offseason. He is coming off a year in which he had a .251 average at the plate with 26 home runs and 84 RBIs.

Judd had this to say about the possibility of Walker joining Seattle:

“Over the last three seasons, he has 95 homers with an .813 OPS and a 123 OPS+. He hits free agency at age 33 — he’ll turn 34 at the start of the 2025 season — meaning he’ll likely only command a two- or three-year deal worth more than $25 million per season. That’s the kind of short-term commitment the Mariners want, and Walker would fill two needs for the M’s as a middle hitter and a Gold Glove. first base.”

Walker is expected to have a three-year market value of $66.16 million according to Spotrac.

There also appears to be some smoke in that fire, with The Athletic’s Jim Bowden predicting Walker will head to the Pacific Northwest.

Walker will give the Mariners flexibility at first base alongside Luke Reilly.

Walker hit .275 with four homers and 26 RBI in 157 plate appearances against lefties, according to Statmuse. Reilly hit .189 with two home runs and four RBI in 89 plate appearances against lefties.

Walker will provide offensive coverage for Seattle at first base regardless of who is on the mound. There’s also the aforementioned elite defense and veteran presence that Seattle president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto spoke highly of in his late-season media scrimmage.

SAILORS APPROACH AN IMPORTANT DEADLINE: The Seattle Mariners will have plenty of roster space to make the necessary moves as an important offseason deadline approaches. CLICK HERE

MARINERS AL WEST RIVALS MAKE ANOTHER MOVE: The Seattle Mariners’ American League West rivals, the Los Angeles Angels, have stayed busy since the start of the offseason. CLICK HERE

MARINERS DECLINE OPTION FOR FORMER STAR: The Seattle Mariners opted not to bring back a former All-Star for the 2025 season. CLICK HERE

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