The Seattle Mariners experienced a disappointing 2024 season, finishing just shy of a wild-card spot with an 85-win record. This marks their second consecutive year missing the postseason after ending a two-decade drought in 2022. The offseason has yielded minimal improvements, with the signings of Donovan Solano and Jorge Polanco, raising questions about the team's commitment to winning.

Despite rumors of pursuing significant moves, including a potential blockbuster trade involving Luis Castillo and bringing Justin Turner back, the Mariners have been passive. Turner expressed confusion over the lack of action from the front office, questioning why the team hasn’t added more impactful players when they possess one of the strongest pitching rotations in the league. As the Mariners prepare for the upcoming season, the uncertainty surrounding their strategy raises concerns about their ability to compete in a tough AL landscape.

Drafting effective pitchers in the late rounds can be the secret to fantasy baseball success, especially this season where volatility in pitching is high. While traditionally reliable options such as Cristopher Sánchez and Zack Eflin have value, true sleepers can be found well past pick 200. Bowden Francis of the Toronto Blue Jays stands out with his impressive 1.53 ERA since becoming a full-time starter. Clarke Schmidt of the Yankees is poised for a breakout, aided by injuries in the rotation. Jason Adam could emerge as a top closer for the Padres, while Jesús Luzardo's potential makes him a high-risk, high-reward pick. Other noteworthy late-round options include Nestor Cortes and Cody Bradford, who both show promise despite limited prior opportunities. DJ Herz and David Festa are rookies with high strikeout potential, and Ben Brown's swing-and-miss capability rounds out a list of intriguing options.

For redraft leagues gearing up for the 2025 season, an All-Rookie team featuring top prospects presents a strategic opportunity. With names like Drake Baldwin leading the catching position due to Sean Murphy's injury, and power-hitter Deyvison De Los Santos eyeing a spot on the Marlins' roster, these players are primed for immediate contributions. Kristian Campbell offers a potential shakeup at second base as Boston considers shifting Alex Bregman to third. The Cubs' Matt Shaw is being touted as a Rookie of the Year candidate, and with pitchers like Roki Sasaki from Japan and Andrew Painter making waves, this rookie class is set to turn heads.

As the 2025 fantasy baseball draft season approaches, late-round third basemen present lucrative opportunities for savvy managers. Maikel Garcia of the Kansas City Royals is projected to bounce back after a disappointing 2024, leveraging his speed on the base paths. Though his batting average dipped, his elite baserunning stats suggest significant upside, making him a potential steal at an ADP of 204.

Josh Jung of the Texas Rangers, recovering from a wrist injury, started strong last season. With a career barrel rate of 11.2%, he holds promise if he can stay healthy, making him an intriguing option at an ADP of 215. Meanwhile, Joey Ortiz is transitioning to shortstop for the Brewers, which may enhance his playing time and fantasy value, projecting to provide solid but unspectacular stats.

Chicago Cubs' prospect Matt Shaw could thrive given the opportunity to start after a strong minor league season, and Deyvison De Los Santos from the Marlins has shown a tantalizing power-speed combination but remains a risk due to his inconsistent performance.