Mariners seen as unlikely to sign Yankees superstar in free agency

The Seattle Mariners are going to have some needs to fill this offseason, particularly with their lineup.

Seattle has an elite pitching staff, but their offense has struggled immensely over the past few years. They'll need a major boost in order to be on par with the Houston Astros.

However, there is one player in particular, Juan Soto of the New York Yankees, who will likely be out of their price range, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN.

"Seattle could use him but will be scared off by the money," Passan wrote. "At the end of the day, high-ranking front office and ownership-level sources believe the winter for Soto is going to play out like this: Yankees vs. Mets."

It appears as though the sweepstakes for Soto will be between a select few teams, and that the Mariners will not be one of them.

Should Seattle change their stance on the money and try to make a push for him, he would instantly make them a much better team, one that could be able to compete with the Astros for supremacy in the American League West.

Seattle needs a centerpiece in their lineup and Soto would be the perfect fit for them if they decide to pursue him. But that's a big "if", and it looks unlikely that they'll target him, with money being the primary reason to stay away from the young slugger.

Soto is hitting .296 with 37 home runs, 95 RBI, and a 1.027 OPS in 473 at-bats this year with the Yankees. His market will be interesting to follow. If Seattle joins the sweepstakes, then things will get even more interesting, as a third team will be in the mix.

Still, the Mariners are seen as an unlikely suitor.

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