Pressing offseason questions for the Mariners

The Seattle Mariners face a fast-moving offseason as they search for a new manager, aiming to name Dan Wilson’s successor by Halloween. Team president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto said they need to fill coaching and roster gaps in October and November before baseball’s labor deadline, when owners lock out players on Dec. 1. A central question is how Seattle replaces Randy Arozarena, the team’s lone All-Star, who could command a four-year deal worth $100 million or more in a notably thin free-agent class. Mariners officials have signaled they don’t plan to match that salary for a left fielder entering his 32nd year. Instead, the club could look to acquire two right-handed bats via trades, continuing its history of “swing deals.”