The Seattle Mariners enter 2025 with a potentially revamped offense, spurred on by key offseason acquisitions. Notably, outfielder Randy Arozarena and infielder Justin Turner were added to a lineup that struggled with consistency, leading the league in strikeouts. However, as the season progressed, they found rhythm, finishing strong with a 21-13 record in their final 34 games.

Brent Stecker of Seattle Sports sees Arozarena as a pivotal player for the Mariners’ success. Highlighting past performances, such as his impressive playoff run with the Rays and his standout showing in the World Baseball Classic, Stecker remains optimistic despite Arozarena's recent struggles. If he and Julio Rodríguez can perform consistently while being supported by players like Victor Robles, the Mariners could be poised for a productive season.

The 2025 fantasy baseball season is shaping up to be an exciting one, especially with emerging players like Taylor Ward and Ryan Pepiot making headlines as potential sleeper picks. Ward, hitting for the Los Angeles Angels, may not be the flashiest choice, but his consistent performance in the past season suggests he could exceed his ADP of 187, with projections of 25 home runs and 78 RBIs. Meanwhile, Pepiot of the Tampa Bay Rays showcased promising skills with a 3.60 ERA last year, making him a valuable selection at his ADP of 195.

Shane Baz, also from the Rays, is looking to bounce back after injury, while Eugenio Suarez of the Arizona Diamondbacks finished strong last season. Not to be overlooked, Nick Castellanos continues to be a low-risk option for fantasy managers, consistently outperforming his ADP. Lastly, Randy Arozarena's 20-20 potential makes him a major sleeper despite a rough previous season. These players represent fantastic late-round picks for this year's fantasy drafts.

Julio Rodríguez, the Seattle Mariners' standout outfielder, is expected to be the key player for the team's success in 2025. As he enters his fourth season, the Mariners are relying heavily on him following a less prolific 2024 season, where he posted a .273 batting average alongside 20 home runs and 24 stolen bases. This was a drop from his previous All-Star performances, but at just 24 years old, the potential for improvement remains significant.

New hitting coach Kevin Seitzer has expressed confidence in Rodríguez, asserting that the young star is just beginning to tap into his capabilities. Seitzer, who has a history of coaching talents like Ronald Acuña Jr., sees great promise in Rodríguez's future. The Mariners are also looking to support him with players like Cal Raleigh, Randy Arozarena, and Jorge Polanco, anticipating a resurgence from J.P. Crawford as well. With spring training just around the corner, Mariners fans have reason to be optimistic about the upcoming season.

Tampa Bay Rays President of Baseball Operations, Erik Neander, has expressed confidence in the team's current roster, suggesting that no major external acquisitions will be necessary this offseason. Neander's comments, reported by the Tampa Bay Times, emphasize the potential for internal growth among players to enhance the team's offensive capabilities. He noted the importance of players taking significant strides forward or rebounding from previous seasons.

Neander pointed to several players, including Josh Lowe, who underperformed due to injuries, and Johnny DeLuca, who had a disappointing batting average. The Rays are optimistic about the contributions of top prospect Junior Caminero and Christopher Morel, who will have a full season after joining the team at the trade deadline. Additionally, the offloading of Isaac Paredes and Randy Arozarena has created room for other players to step up, leading to hopes of improved performances, particularly from Yandy Diaz, who is expected to increase his power numbers.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the Toronto Blue Jays successfully negotiated a one-year contract worth $28.5 million, avoiding a salary arbitration hearing. Guerrero had previously set a record with a $19.9 million salary last year. Houston's Framber Valdez secured an $18 million deal, while Kyle Tucker of the Chicago Cubs requested the highest figure among players negotiating at $17.5 million, but was offered $15 million.

Other players reaching agreements include San Diego's Luis Arraez at $14 million, Arizona's Zac Gallen at $13.5 million, among others. A total of 148 players finalized deals while 169 remain eligible for arbitration, with hearings set for late January through mid-February.