THE CHEAP SEATS with STEVE CAMERON: M's can stop with the bargains for now

Are the Mariners still shopping?

Yes, of course.

Are they frantic enough to knock over little old ladies at the fragrance counter?

Not anymore.

That’s how things can change when you come within eight outs (or one hanging split-finger pitch to George Springer) from your first-ever World Series appearance.

This is a strange sensation for folks in the Northwest to carry through the offseason, but the Mariners are a good team.

A VERY good team.

In fact, if Seattle’s starting rotation had enjoyed the health of 2024 (instead of last year’s “Dancing with Harry Potter”), George Springer might be better known as a contestant on “Wheel of Fortune.”

Or enjoying some other pleasant date with obscurity.

The Mariners would be at home, going over scouting reports on the Dodgers and Blue Jays, before Springer could ever grab a bat in the eighth inning.

Alas.

Game 7 of the ALCS did not play out that way.

So, here are the Mariners — no question one of the game’s best teams — still hunting for that first World Series appearance.

A TRULY odd view of the M’s situation is that “running it back” with almost exactly the same roster might, indeed, lift this team into the Promised Land.

It’s not like there are gaping holes everywhere, especially with first baseman Josh Naylor locked up to a five-year deal.

There is a Big Dumper available, which is handy and then some.

The bullpen has been beefed up with the addition of power lefty Jose Ferrer.

(How many Mariners fans are wondering, do you suppose, how that eighth inning would have played out with Ferrer available?)

Seattle has a full platoon of outfielders, with Julio Rodriguez in center — and the law firm of Arozarena, Robles, Raley and Canzone working diligently to earn a cushy chair in the corner office.

J.P. Crawford is a steady leader (bWAR 2.1) at short, and Naylor is Naylor.

That means the Mariners are checking resumes for second and third base — plus a bit of trolling for a backup catcher, now that Harry Ford has been shipped to Washington.

None of these open spots are keeping front office gurus Jerry Dipoto and Justin Hollander awake at night.

However, that DOES mean they’re still shopping.

There’s the glittery diamond aisle (D-Backs' all-star Ketel Marte), the sensible Christmas display (Cards’ Brendan Donovan) and even a part-time power show (family member Eugenio Suarez).

IF THE season started next week, it’s likely that none of these new lads would be on the opening lineup card.

FYI, I’m not sure there’s a proper category for Jorge Polanco, who is both old in roster terms (guh!) and the new guy, post-surgery basher.

The M’s COULD sign Polanco (2B/DH), but at the moment, he wants absolute sacks of cash.

A four-year deal? That’s as dizzying as five years for the 32-year-old Marte, a cool $20 million or so AAV.

Oh, sure, a million things can still happen.

That’s why these executives sleep extremely lightly.

Who might want to peddle a third baseman at 4 a.m.?

Meanwhile, if you want to see the Mariners save their cash for deadline moves, all is not lost.

The organization likes third baseman Ben Williamson (a future Gold Glove winner) a LOT, and Cole Young got off to solid start at second before big league pitching made life a lot tougher.

Despite a lack of power so far, Williamson can make contact, and that defense is super-elite.

Finally, there’s Colt Emerson, the M’s top prospect overall and one of the top two or three in all of MLB.

Period.

This is one of those kids who make scouts’ eyes go glassy eyed.

He can play any of the infield positions, and will be handed the first one available.

Bottom line: Rumors concerning the Mariners’ “holes” come from people who don’t see this team.

Unless you’re counting that backup catcher, and Mitch Garver is a steal at $5 million.

OK, maybe $4 million.

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Steve Cameron’s “Cheap Seats” columns appear in The Press three times each week, normally Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday unless, you know, stuff happens.

Steve suggests you take his opinions in the spirit of a Jimmy Buffett song: “Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On.”