Jerry Dipoto was once criticized for making too many trades, but now the Seattle Mariners’ president of baseball operations faces scrutiny for not making any moves.
Last season, the Mariners’ starting rotation dominated, leading the majors in ERA, WHIP, walks per nine innings, and hits per nine innings. Despite that, Seattle missed the playoffs for the 22nd time in 23 years, finishing with an 85-77 record.
The strong pitching staff received little support from the offense, which ranked 22nd in runs scored and 29th in batting average among MLB teams. Given the team’s limited budget, trading a starting pitcher for offensive help seemed like the logical approach in the offseason, as signing expensive free agents wasn’t an option.
However, the Mariners opted to keep their rotation intact and largely return the same lineup as last year. Their only notable addition is veteran infielder Donovan Solano. Still, the team stands by its decision not to trade a starter.
Seattle Mariners Have Strong Rotation
General manager Justin Hollander emphasized the value of the Mariners’ pitching depth, acknowledging the risks of relying too heavily on it.
“We have five incredibly talented starters, plus depth behind them,” Hollander said. “That depth can be tested, and no one has solved the issue of pitching health. The baseball gods will remind you the hard way if you think you have too much pitching.”
Hollander noted that while other teams have inquired about their starters, dealing from that strength isn’t simple. “We’re always open to discussions, but our rotation is the core of our team. You form an emotional connection with these guys, and trading one might fill one need but create another major hole. It’s not as easy as it seems.”
Seattle’s rotation isn’t just talented—it’s also cost-effective. Four of its five starters—Logan Gilbert, George Kirby, Bryce Miller, and Bryan Woo—are all 27 or younger with fewer than four years of MLB service time.
The only high-priced arm is 32-year-old Luis Castillo, who still has three years and $72.45 million left on his five-year, $108 million contract.
Seattle Mariners’ Offense Lacking
Scoring runs has been a challenge for the Mariners, especially at the spacious T-Mobile Park. To improve their offensive production, they are counting on bounce-back seasons from key hitters. Last year, only four players—catcher Cal Raleigh, left fielder Randy Arozarena, center fielder Julio Rodríguez, and right fielder Victor Robles—posted an OPS+ above 100.
However, Arozarena and Robles weren’t with the team for most of the season. Robles joined Seattle in June after being released by the Nationals, while Arozarena was acquired from the Rays at the trade deadline in late July.
Raleigh remains one of the most underrated players in baseball, receiving little national recognition despite hitting 34 home runs, driving in 100 runs, and winning the Platinum Glove as the American League’s top defensive player.
Rodríguez, the face of the franchise, had a down year by his standards, slashing .273/.325/.409 with 20 homers and 24 stolen bases in 143 games. After being an All-Star in his first two seasons, his performance dipped slightly, but the Mariners have committed to him long-term with a seven-year, $119.3 million contract guaranteed through 2029, with five team options extending through 2034.
“He’s still just 24 years old,” Hollander said of Rodríguez. “I think people forget that because of how talented he is. We all know what Julio is capable of—he’s already proven it in the majors.”
Seattle Mariners Manager Could Make Difference
The Mariners believe that manager Dan Wilson can have a significant impact in his first full season at the helm. Wilson took over for Scott Servais with 34 games left last season when Seattle was sitting at 64-64. Under his leadership, the team went 21-13 but ultimately fell just one game short of a playoff spot.
Before stepping into the managerial role, Wilson was a broadcaster and minor-league instructor for the Mariners. He remains one of the most beloved figures in franchise history, having played catcher for Seattle for 12 seasons from 1994 to 2005.
“I don’t know if I ever envisioned managing a big-league team, but if the opportunity ever came, it was something I wanted to take advantage of,” Wilson said. “Last September was a great experience. I was really pleased with how the team and the entire organization responded.”
Wilson acknowledged the steep learning curve that comes with the job. “There’s so much you take on that you don’t realize when you’re not in that position,” he said. “I feel like I’m learning something new every step of the way, but it’s great to start fresh this year. Everyone is more comfortable, and we’re excited to get the season going.”
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