The Seattle Mariners have assembled a pitching rotation that defies belief, setting franchise records and leaving experts in awe. But their offensive struggles have left fans and former players perplexed, with one outspoken critic calling the team’s inaction ‘absurd.’
The Unicorn Rotation: Seattle’s Pitching Dominance Defies Belief
The Seattle Mariners boast a formidable pitching staff, a ‘unicorn’ rotation that many consider the best five-man unit in baseball history. Led by Logan Gilbert, George Kirby, Luis Castillo, Bryce Miller, and Bryan Woo, this stellar group set franchise records for ERA, opponent batting average, and numerous other pitching metrics in 2023. Gilbert, in particular, shined brightly, pitching his first career shutout on July 4th while striking out 7 batters. His subsequent dominance earned him AL Pitcher of the Week honors and a well-deserved All-Star selection in 2024, though he was unable to participate due to his starting schedule.
Offensive Woes: A Perplexing Inaction
Despite boasting one of the league’s elite pitching staffs, the Mariners’ offense was abysmal, ranking second-worst in the majors for the first five months of the 2023 season. This glaring imbalance ultimately cost them a playoff berth, yet the team made minimal moves in the offseason to address their offensive deficiencies. Re-signing Jorge Polanco and Donovan Solano was a start, but their failure to pursue marquee free agents like Juan Soto, Pete Alonso, or Alex Bregman left fans, players, and agents utterly perplexed.
Justin Turner’s Candid Critique: ‘It’s Absurd’
Former Mariner Justin Turner, who spent the final two months of 2023 in Seattle after being acquired from the Red Sox, did not mince words when critiquing the team’s offseason approach. ‘The fact that they missed the playoffs by one game, and didn’t go out and add an impact bat or two when you have the best pitching staff in baseball just seems absurd to me,’ Turner told USA Today. He expressed frustration over the winter, believing the Mariners squandered a golden opportunity by not bolstering their offense to complement their once-in-a-generation pitching staff.
Underlying Frustrations: Profits Over Prowess?
While players tend to avoid publicly criticizing ownership, there is an underlying frustration with the team’s limited spending despite being profitable. The Mariners’ projected $152 million payroll ranks 16th in MLB and last in the AL West except for the Oakland A’s. This has led to speculation that the organization may be prioritizing profits over building a true contender, a notion that has left many players and fans disgruntled, especially given the team’s elite pitching talent.
A Renewed Hope: Culture Shift and Motivated Stars
Despite the offensive concerns, the Mariners remain confident in their pitching staff’s ability to lead them deep into the playoffs if they can secure a berth. Gilbert believes they can ‘go toe-to-toe with anybody,’ while slugger Rowdy Tellez claims he would take Seattle’s staff over any other team’s. The team hopes a culture change under new manager Dan Wilson and hitting coach Edgar Martinez, which sparked an offensive surge late in 2023, will carry over. Players like Cal Raleigh and Mitch Haniger are motivated to prove themselves after down years, providing a glimmer of hope for an offensive resurgence.
