MLB Insider Posts Curious Report About the Seattle Mariners Ahead of Spring Training

This is curious on a few different levels.

1) The Mariners are looking to keep payroll lower (or in line with) 2023 numbers. Snell is looking for a $200 million deal, so any way you slice it, adding him doesn't accomplish that goal. The prevailing thought all offseason has been that the Mariners could trade Bryan Woo or Bryce Miller for offensive pieces, but given that they are on rookie contracts, the payroll situation would skew way past what the M's ownership group wants.

2) If the M's are looking to add Snell for real and want to keep the money OK, they could trade Luis Castillo to accomplish that. Castillo has four years and just over $80 million left on his contract, so that would make things more even, but Snell will still cost more than Castillo does. Also, Castillo is more consistent than Snell. While Castillo could bring in a huge return presumably, does the team want to add significant payroll AND get rid of a better pitcher in order to acquire those offensive pieces?

3) If the M's want to add offense, they still have the ability to do so in free agency. Cody Bellinger continues to be out there, as does Jorge Soler, as does Whit Merrifield. The M's could Merrifield or Soler without breaking the bank, while keeping all the arms they currently have.