The Seattle Mariners have secured their star catcher, Cal Raleigh, through a substantial six-year, $105 million contract extension, locking him in until 2030. This deal allows the Mariners to retain a crucial piece of their pitching-centric strategy, providing stability behind the plate for a rotation that boasts a stellar 3.38 ERA, ranking first in the American League. Raleigh, who hit 30 and 34 home runs in the past two seasons, also won his first Gold and Platinum gloves in 2024, highlighting his defensive prowess in managing Seattle's elite pitching staff.

Despite Raleigh's low career batting average of .218, his power and defensive skills make him invaluable to the Mariners, particularly as they look to improve an offense that has struggled historically. While they added first baseman Donovan Solano and re-signed Jorge Polanco in free agency, the Mariners are banking on the continued development of their offensive core, including center fielder Julio Rodriguez, who recently signed a significant extension of his own valued at $209 million over 12 years. This move for Raleigh indicates the Mariners' commitment to building a competitive roster around their key talents as they strive to break a long playoff drought.

As the 2025 MLB season approaches, drafting your fantasy baseball team is just the beginning of the journey. This season promises to be filled with players who may well exceed their projections and impact their teams significantly. The New York Mets are showing particular promise, with a lineup that could combine for an impressive 115 home runs, bolstered by stars like Juan Soto and Pete Alonso. Both players are primed for breakout seasons, while Mark Vientos is emerging as a valuable source of power. Meanwhile, Julio Rodríguez is expected to recover from a disappointing 2024 season, potentially logging a 40/40 season.

Bubba Chandler, set to make his mark in Pittsburgh, is another player to watch, potentially becoming a second starting pitcher for the Pirates. Zack Wheeler is a prime candidate for the NL Cy Young Award, and Triston Casas is poised for a comeback with the Red Sox. After moving to the Tigers, Gleyber Torres aims to re-establish himself, while Victor Scott II is a name to remember for stolen bases. The season is set to be long and challenging, but these players could be critical to fantasy success.

The 2025 MLB season is rapidly approaching, and the American League West appears to be a battleground of elite teams. The Houston Astros, while facing significant lineup changes following the departures of key players, still possess a potent core led by José Altuve and Yordan Alvarez. The Seattle Mariners are looking for a bounce-back season after a disappointing 2024, hinging on the resurgence of Julio Rodriguez and an exceptional pitching staff. Meanwhile, the Texas Rangers hope to regain their championship form, relying on their explosive offense and the health of ace Jacob deGrom. The Oakland Athletics and Los Angeles Angels are also in the mix, with the A's seeking to build off their growth and the Angels praying for a healthy Mike Trout. As the countdown to Opening Day continues, each team's trajectory will hinge on pivotal players and their ability to navigate the challenges of a competitive division.

The player ratings for the upcoming MLB The Show 2025 have been released, with the digital version available starting March 14. Leading the ratings for the Seattle Mariners, Julio Rodriguez shines at a remarkable 90 overall, followed closely by pitchers George Kirby at 89 and Logan Gilbert at 88. Notably, Kirby's ranking above Gilbert, who was an All-Star last year and led in innings pitched, has sparked discussion. Additionally, Cal Raleigh and Bryan Woo round out the top five, bringing attention to Seattle's strong pitching staff despite Andres Munoz's surprising absence. These rankings serve as a focal point for players and fans alike as the Mariners prepare for their season opener against the Athletics on March 27.

With Opening Day looming, the Seattle Mariners have made significant roster changes as they trim down their spring training team. Recently, the Mariners released pitcher Dauris Valdez after a disappointing spring that saw him post a staggering 40.50 ERA over two appearances. Valdez hasn’t played affiliated ball since 2002 and has never made it to the major leagues, spending time in the minors with the San Diego Padres and Chicago Cubs. Other players reassigned to minor league camp include LHP Peyton Alford, C Josh Caron, C Connor Charping, RHP Tyler Cleveland, and RHP Hunter Cranton.

In their most recent game, the Mariners faced a defeat against the Colorado Rockies, falling 6-1, largely due to a five-run eighth inning by Colorado. The Mariners will continue their preparations in Cactus League play, with upcoming matchups against the Cleveland Guardians and Kansas City Royals before the regular season begins on March 27th against the revamped Athletics.