The Seattle Mariners made a major commitment to their star catcher, Cal Raleigh, by signing him to a six-year, $105 million extension — a deal that secures his long-term presence behind the dish through the end of the decade.
Raleigh, one of the most impactful offensive and defensive catchers in baseball, posted career highs with 34 home runs and 100 RBIs in recent seasons, and has become a cornerstone both offensively and defensively for Seattle.
But while Seattle has a clear No. 1 catcher in Raleigh, the supporting depth at the position remains a question mark. Jorge Polanco, Julio Rodríguez, and the Mariners’ strong rotation already give Seattle a solid core, but MLB teams typically need a reliable backup who can handle pitchers and contribute offensively when needed. That’s where the Rule 5 Draft enters the picture.
The Rule 5 Draft exists to prevent teams from hoarding minor-league talent on the back ends of their 40-man rosters. Players not protected on a 40-man roster after a certain time become eligible to be selected by other teams, with the requirement that they stay on the selecting club’s MLB roster the following season or be offered back.
While it’s often known for producing surprise performers, the Draft can also serve as a cost-effective way to find MLB-ready players that other organizations overlooked, particularly catchers — an oft-neglected position in the Rule 5 pool due to depth constraints.
Recent analysis suggests one such catching candidate could be Daniel Susac, a 24-year-old backstop with promising offensive and defensive tools who became available because his prior organization did not protect him on the 40-man roster.
Susac hit .275/.349/.483 with 18 home runs for Triple-A Las Vegas in 2025, showing a balanced offensive profile, and is viewed as a solid defender with a knack for working well with pitching staffs — traits that would pair nicely with Seattle’s young and emerging rotation.
1. Cost-Effective Depth Behind a Franchise Catcher
With Raleigh already secured long-term, adding a Rule 5 catcher wouldn’t require a major signing or trade sacrifice. Instead, the Mariners can leverage Rule 5 protections, keeping payroll flexible while adding depth.
A successful Rule 5 selection must stay on the MLB roster all season — meaning someone like Susac could immediately serve as backup or get meaningful playing time when Raleigh rests, without extensive roster maneuvering.
2. Reducing Wear and Tear on Raleigh
Catching is the most physically demanding defensive position in baseball. Though Raleigh has been durable overall, sharing duties even modestly would help preserve his health and performance over a full season, particularly as Seattle eyes a deep playoff push.
With a Rule 5 selection, Seattle could rotate catching duties in less grueling scenarios — pinch-hitting, early innings, or day games following night starts — preserving Raleigh’s strength for key moments.
3. Capitalizing on Undervalued Talent
The Rule 5 Draft often flies under the radar, especially early in Winter Meetings coverage. However, catchers who show advanced hitting and pitch-framing ability but lacked protection may be undervalued assets.
Having eyes on someone like Susac — a Triple-A bat with solid on-base skills and defensive versatility — gives Seattle a chance to find a contributor who could thrive in competitive at-bats and pitch calling.
Of course, Rule 5 Draft picks are inherently mixed in results. Many selected players struggle to stick on MLB rosters and, if returned, go back to their original clubs. Success stories tend to be exceptions rather than the rule.
Moreover, catchers represent one of the more difficult positions for Rule 5 transitions, as they must handle advanced pitching staffs and rigorous defensive responsibilities. Seattle’s front office must be confident that any Rule 5 option can handle the daily grind of the big league game.
There’s also the matter of roster construction: Rule 5 picks must remain on the major league roster all year or be offered back, which could make teams think twice unless they genuinely see a roster role for the player.
For Seattle, the rule book’s lesser-known roster mechanism could be a strategic opportunity. Rather than overspending in free agency or trading high-value prospects for a veteran backup, the Mariners could unlock value by targeting the Rule 5 Draft’s catching pool.
If executed smartly — identifying someone like Susac who has demonstrated Triple-A success and defensive polish — Seattle might quietly solve one of its offseason questions without compromising flexibility elsewhere in the lineup.
While the spotlight often shines on blockbuster trades and big free-agent signings, savvy roster builders know that sometimes the best answers come through unconventional avenues. For the Mariners, complementing Cal Raleigh with a Rule 5-selected catcher could strengthen the lineup, preserve their star’s health, and add meaningful depth behind the plate.
In a game where margins are small and every roster decision matters, finding a true catching partner via Rule 5 could be the subtle but decisive move Seattle has been searching for.
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