Here's how the Mariners' Opening Day roster could look

SEATTLE -- With pitchers and catchers descending on the desert and Spring Training this week, here¡¯s an early look at what the Mariners¡¯ Opening Day roster might look like.

Catcher (2): Cal Raleigh, Mitch Garver
The Mariners are again banking on Raleigh¡¯s durability, and he enters the year earmarked for a vast majority of the catching reps. Raleigh played in an MLB-high 135 games behind the plate last year and prides himself on availability. Garver was forced into the backup role after the Mariners made additions at the Trade Deadline, but if he¡¯s able to recapture more offensive consistency, he could be slated for a more regular DH role. That would then leave the Mariners in need of another catcher.

First baseman (2): Luke Raley, Donovan Solano
Solano was the Mariners¡¯ most notable external addition in this otherwise quiet offseason. Signed to a one-year, $3.5 million contract, the 37-year-old can also play second and third base, but he¡¯s not expected to see much time at either. He¡¯ll supplement Raley, who was arguably the Mariners¡¯ best addition from the 2023-24 offseason but who is also more comfortable in the outfield.

Second baseman (2): Dylan Moore, Leo Rivas
Moore will have the runway to make this his gig, at least for the most reps and early in the season, but this is also easily the Mariners¡¯ most fluid position, with Rivas and Ryan Bliss returning after showing flashes of promise and touted prospect Cole Young on the horizon. Young, the Mariners¡¯ No. 2 prospect as ranked by MLB Pipeline, is widely believed to be the long-term answer at the position that has been Seattle¡¯s least productive since the Robinson Can¨® era, but it¡¯s also believed that he¡¯ll need more seasoning.

Third baseman (2): Jorge Polanco, Austin Shenton
Polanco made a surprising return on a one-year, $7.75 million deal signed earlier this month, notably less than the $12 million club option that the team declined on him at the offseason's outset. The even more interesting development is that Polanco will move from second to third base, with hope that it¡¯ll be a less demanding position after he battled hamstring and left knee issues, the latter of which required offseason surgery. Shenton, a Seattle Draft pick in 2019, is on the outside looking in but viewed favorably after being re-acquired from the Rays in November.

Shortstop (1): J.P. Crawford
Crawford did not mince words in his self-assessment of 2024, when he was limited to 105 games and hit just .202. But both he and the Mariners are confident in his ability to put multiple injuries behind him and steer back in the direction of ¡¯23, when he was arguably the Mariners¡¯ most consistently productive player. This will be the sixth straight Opening Day nod for Crawford in Seattle.

? Everything you need to know about Mariners Spring Training

Outfielders (3): Julio Rodr¨ªguez, Randy Arozarena, Victor Robles
The Mariners believe they have the makings of one of the most athletic outfields in baseball, supplemented by pairing their young cornerstone with two key midseason additions. Robles was outstanding, but it might be a stretch to expect identical production from what was a borderline career year. Arozarena admittedly struggled to adjust to the new environment at first but felt much more at home by season¡¯s end. And Rodr¨ªguez will again be the lineup¡¯s most important player.

Designated hitter (1): Mitch Haniger
Garver will also be prominently used here, too, as will Raley, Solano and a mix of others. But Haniger, who is earning $15.5 million, and as such is unlikely to be designated for assignment, also needs somewhere to play. Haniger had a great spring last year, but he was leaned on to play more than the team anticipated based on other injuries. Perhaps a more defined DH role will help.

Starting pitchers (5): RHP Luis Castillo, RHP Logan Gilbert, RHP George Kirby, RHP Bryce Miller, RHP Bryan Woo
The Mariners were adamant about keeping their starting five intact, and despite significant interest and offers, they were able to do so. If healthy, this could remain among MLB¡¯s best rotations.

Relievers (8): RHP Andr¨¦s Mu?oz, RHP Gregory Santos, RHP Collin Snider, RHP Trent Thornton, RHP Cody Bolton, RHP Eduard Bazardo, LHP Tayler Saucedo, LHP Gabe Speier
This group will also at some point feature young righties Matt Brash (Tommy John surgery) and Troy Taylor, who recently sustained a right lat strain.