The Seattle Mariners are considering a complete teardown this winter, league sources told Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports.
Shortly afterward, Mariners GM Jerry Dipoto confirmed that he's interested in "re-imagining" the team's roster, but said he would not tear it "down to the studs," per Jon Morosi of MLB Network.
Seattle told other teams virtually no Mariners players would be untouchable in a robust trade market, Passan reported Tuesday. If that market materializes, he added, the team is willing to take a multi-year approach to a rebuild.
"They're going to blow it up," a source told MLB.com's Mark Feinsand.
Complicating matters are the potential returns the Mariners would receive for some of their best players.
Shortstop Jean Segura's no-trade clause would need to be reworked for a deal to occur. Seattle would also expect massive returns for outfielder Mitch Haniger and pitchers James Paxton and Edwin Diaz, Passan notes.
It appears the Mariners intend to keep Haniger, Diaz, and pitcher Marco Gonzales, reports Jon Heyman of Fancred Sports, who hears "everyone else is up for grabs."
Seattle is already in discussions with the Tampa Bay Rays regarding catcher Mike Zunino, sources told The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal.
Seattle placed third in the American League West in 2018, despite finishing 16 games over .500. The Mariners haven't qualified for the postseason since 2001.
The club has close to $132 million committed to payroll (before arbitration) for 2019.
