Seattle Mariners Exercise Muñoz Option While Declining Miller and Robles

The Seattle Mariners began shaping their roster for the upcoming year on Thursday immediately after the conclusion of the World Series. The front office announced decisions regarding club options for three players, while also making their first official transaction of the offseason by claiming outfielder Grant McCray off waivers from the San Francisco Giants.

Among the major decisions, the Mariners chose to exercise the $9 million contract option for relief pitcher Andrés Muñoz for the 2027 season. Muñoz, a two-time All-Star, is coming off a challenging campaign in which he posted a 4.24 ERA and tied for the Major League Baseball lead with 10 blown saves. Despite suffering a right knee injury on the penultimate weekend of the season, retaining the elite closer was a logical move for the organization.

Conversely, the club decided to decline the contract options for starting pitcher Bryce Miller and outfielder Victor Robles. Miller's option was valued at $6.075 million, while Robles' option was set at $9 million. Although his option was declined, Miller remains under club control as he heads back into the arbitration process. The Mariners intend to negotiate with the 28-year-old right-hander at a lower rate.

Miller experienced a tumultuous season that began with a left oblique injury sustained during Spring Training. After returning in mid-May, he struggled through a difficult stretch that included a brief demotion to the bullpen in late August. He finished the year with a 4-10 record and a 4.17 ERA across 22 outings, going without a win over his final 13 starts.

Meanwhile, Robles officially becomes a free agent following the decision to decline his option. The 29-year-old outfielder struggled with various injuries over the past two seasons, appearing in just 97 games total after signing a two-year extension in August 2024. During the recent season, he batted .256 with no home runs in 65 games.

Robles joins several other notable Mariners players entering the free-agent market, including outfielders Randy Arozarena and Taylor Ward, infielder J.P. Crawford, and left-handed reliever Hoby Milner. All pending free agents will become eligible to sign with any club starting on Monday afternoon.

With these roster adjustments, Seattle's 40-man roster sits at either 34 or 35 players depending on ongoing waivers, and the club faces upcoming deadlines to reinstate several players from the 60-day injured list. Additional roster moves and negotiations are expected in the coming days as the organization prepares for the next phase of the offseason.