Mariners Eye Potential Reunions with Justin Turner and Carlos Santana

Seattle Mariners General Manager Justin Hollander has confirmed earlier this offseason that the team is considering a reunion with Justin Turner. Now, reports from Adam Jude of the Seattle Times indicate that the Mariners are also exploring the possibility of bringing back another former Mariner, first baseman Carlos Santana. According to multiple sources cited by Jude, the Mariners are strongly interested in re-signing one of these two players, making a reunion highly likely.

Carlos Santana, who will turn 39 in April, is coming off his best season since 2019. He spent the 2024 season with the Minnesota Twins, where he served as the everyday first baseman and earned a Gold Glove for his defensive excellence. Offensively, Santana posted a .238/.328/.420 slash line with 23 home runs in 594 plate appearances. His performance equated to a solid 114 wRC+, indicating he was 14% better than the league average at the plate. After a slow start, he rebounded to hit .253/.342/.460 (129 wRC+) once he connected on his first homer in late April.

This level of production, combined with Santana's defensive prowess and stellar clubhouse reputation, makes him an attractive option for many teams. These qualities are particularly appealing to the Mariners, who are also interested in Turner for similar reasons. At the end of the season, Mariners president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto emphasized the need for veteran leadership to guide the young clubhouse. He specifically mentioned Turner and Santana as ideal candidates, having previously played key leadership roles during their time in Seattle.

​As the Mariners continue their offseason pursuits, the potential reunion with either Turner or Santana is a focal point. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if these veteran players will once again don a Mariners uniform and bring their experience and leadership back to the team.