A few days after the defeat in the seventh game, Dan Wilson, visibly affected, is still searching for the right words to describe the pain of the Seattle Mariners after being on the verge of their first World Series.
The Mariners’ season was full of achievements, including the American League West Division title since 2001. One of the highlights was the performance of catcher Cal Raleigh, who became the seventh player in Major League history to hit 60 home runs in a season. Raleigh, after signing a six-year, $105 million contract, proved to be a strong contender for the American League Most Valuable Player award in his first season.It hurts. I don’t know how long this pain will last. For many of us, it’s a harsh way to go out and end an exceptional season, which in a way overshadows many of the positive aspects we’ve had.
Dan Wilson
Although Raleigh and Julio Rodríguez, pillars of the franchise, are under contract for the rest of the decade, the Mariners will have to make important decisions about free agents, including third baseman Eugenio Suárez and first baseman Josh Naylor, both acquired before the trade deadline.The number of records he started breaking was a phenomenal season. If it wasn’t the best season a catcher has had, it was certainly one of the two best. I don’t know what else he could have done.
Jerry Dipoto, President of Baseball Operations
Regarding third base, the Mariners could give the opportunity to rookie Ben Williamson, who debuted in the Major Leagues in 2025 and was the team’s primary option before the trade for Suárez.You need that intensity. You need that grit. I think his desire to win is incredible too. And that’s what you’re going to need from all your players, and that’s a big part of what he brought to this club.
Dan Wilson
Meanwhile, second baseman Jorge Polanco has a player option for $6 million, but could aim for a larger contract after a comeback season.We’re going to have to be a little more selective with how we deploy our young players, but they’re going to play an important role in what we do now and in the future.
Jerry Dipoto
Regardless of the direction the Mariners take, it is evident that the franchise does not want its most successful season, in 49 years, to be a fluke.I don’t want to answer for him. I imagine we’ll have to take a different route than the one already on the table.
Jerry Dipoto
I don’t worry about that with our players. Our players are fighters. I think they’ve shown that time and time again. And the way they played, particularly in September and towards the end of the season in the playoffs, these guys fight. That’s something you have to have, and you have to have it to get to the World Series.
Dan Wilson
