This story was excerpted from Daniel Kramer's Mariners Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

With spring training set to start next week, here's an early look at the Mariners' roster and our projection on who will make the cut for opening day.

Despite rampant trade speculation, the Mariners held onto their five prized starters throughout the winter, and Logan Gilbert, Luis Castillo, George Kirby, Bryce Miller and Bryan Woo will form the backbone of this roster in 2025. And they’ll need to be elite again if the Mariners are to compete for the AL West crown.

The Seattle Mariners entered the offseason with pressing needs at first, second and third base. With a little over two weeks until pitchers and catchers report