Former Mariners infielder rips Seattle for quiet winter

Sleepless in Seattle? Extra like sleepy after this offseason.

The Mariners, who completed ninth in group OPS in 2024, did not do a lot to improve a lineup that struggled to hit all year long, signing simply two gamers all winter: infielders Jorge Polanco and Donovan Solano. 

That did not sit nicely with infielder Justin Turner, who now performs for the Cubs after spending the second half of final season with the Mariners. Here is what he instructed USA Immediately’s Bob Nightengale:

“The truth that they missed the playoffs by one recreation, and didn’t exit and add an impression bat or two when you’ve got the perfect pitching workers in baseball,” Turner mentioned, “simply appears absurd to me.” 

All of Turner’s factors are true. Seattle got here up simply wanting a playoff berth in 2024 and completed a mere 3.5 video games behind the AL West champion Houston Astros. Their 85 victories in 2024 had been almost sufficient.

And he is additionally right concerning the Mariners pitching workers. By ERA, Seattle’s pitchers had a mixed 3.49 mark final season, the perfect in baseball. 

The Mariners rotation, led by ace right-hander Logan Gilbert (3.23 ERA in 33 begins), ought to as soon as once more be one of many league’s fiercest in 2025. Their bullpen options fireballing nearer Andres Munoz (2.12 ERA in 60 appearances final season), together with the return of injured however gifted relievers Matt Brash and Gregory Soto. 

It is a method that ought to result in numerous wins. Turner believed on this group a lot that he wished to return, however not alone. 

“Truthfully, as a lot as I wished to be again there,” Turner mentioned, “if I used to be the one piece they introduced again in, I’d be saying the identical factor: What the hell are we doing? Are you making an attempt?” 

“There’s not going to a greater time to go for it. So, I don’t know what they’re doing. I’m very confused. It’s a head-scratcher for me.”

Turner’s sentiments certainly need to match these of Mariners followers, if not the gamers themselves. 

Seattle is hoping that its late-season momentum, which was sparked by supervisor Dan Wilson’s arrival, can proceed into 2025. The Mariners went 21-13 after the managerial change and started averaging shut to 6 runs per recreation on offense. 

21-13, albeit a small pattern dimension throughout the 162-game context of an MLB season, is a .618 profitable share (equating to roughly 101 regular-season wins over a full marketing campaign). That’ll play. 

However with none significant adjustments on offense, do not anticipate that sort of efficiency from the Mariners in 2025.