The Mariners just made a move to shake things up for next season, claiming first baseman Michael Toglia off waivers from the Cincinnati Reds. This happened on Friday, and it’s a direct response to a 2026 season where our boys were on the outside looking in at the postseason, with a roster that was frankly pretty underwhelming. The front office is clearly getting to work, trying to improve things for the future.
Former Top Prospect, Proven Power, and the Reds Let Him Walk?
So, who is Michael Toglia? He’s 28 years old, and not too long ago, he was a top prospect for the Colorado Rockies. What really catches your eye is his 2024 season. The dude smashed 25 home runs and put up a 2.1 bWAR in just 116 games for that NL West club. That’s real power, right there! The source even says he’s “displayed good power,” and hitting 25 dingers certainly backs that up. We know our M’s could always use more of that at T-Mobile Park.
But Wait, What Happened This Season?
Alright, so the 25 homers sound great, but it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. After that big 2024 season, his numbers dropped off. In 2025, Toglia had a rough go with a 39.2% strikeout rate and a 61 OPS+ over 88 games. Then, this past season with the Reds, he played just 10 games before suffering a season-ending injury in September, dislocating his shoulder on a play in the outfield. In those 10 games, he really struggled, hitting only .115/.179/.192 with just three hits in 28 plate appearances. Not exactly lighting it up.
So, the Mariners are taking a flier on a guy with a high ceiling but some recent struggles and an injury. The good news? The Mariners have nothing to lose by giving Toglia a chance to prove himself in spring training. He’s clearly got that power potential, even if he’s looked overmatched against Major League pitching at other times. It’s a low-risk, potentially high-reward move for a team looking to shake off an underwhelming 2026.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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