Mariners

Chicago Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson, top, forces out the Seattle Mariners’ Jorge Polanco (7) at second base and makes the throw to first for the double play against Mariners’ Ty France to end the eighth inning of Sunday’s game in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Hitting woes plague Mariners again in series loss to Cubs

Seattle ended the weekend 6-10, and the offense has been the main culprit.

  • Apr 15, 2024
  • Tyler Wicke, The News Tribune (Tacoma, Wash.)
  • SportsMariners

 

Seattle Mariners’ Ty France tosses his helmet after striking out against the Boston Red Sox in a baseball game Friday, March 29, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

It’s not time to panic about the Mariners’ offense … yet

Seattle struggled to control the zone in its season-opening series against the Red Sox.

 

Seattle Mariners' Mitch Haniger hits a single against the San Diego Padres during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game Monday, March 11, 2024, in Peoria, Ariz. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Why the Mariners could win the AL West, and what could hold them back

Starting pitching, a renovated offense and regression in the AL West are in Seattle’s favor, but injury issues, bullpen concerns and the Houston Astros could be a problem.

 

Seattle Mariners' Dominic Canzone looks for a pitch during a spring training baseball game against the Oakland Athletics, Saturday, March 2, 2024, in Peoria, Ariz. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Dominic Canzone ranks high on the list of Mariners’ top breakout candidates

The team is bullish on the bulked-up outfielder’s abilities.

Seattle Mariners' Dominic Canzone looks for a pitch during a spring training baseball game against the Oakland Athletics, Saturday, March 2, 2024, in Peoria, Ariz. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Matt Brash delivers during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)

Mariners get relieving injury update on Matt Brash

The hard-throwing reliever won’t need surgery. Plus, updates on injuries to Gregory Santos and Luis Urias.

Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Matt Brash delivers during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)
Seattle Mariners center fielder Julio Rodríguez warms up during spring training baseball workouts Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024, in Peoria, Ariz. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Servais calls 2024 Mariners ‘the hungriest team I’ve ever had’

The team is ready to rewrite the script after a disappointing postseason miss last year.

Seattle Mariners center fielder Julio Rodríguez warms up during spring training baseball workouts Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024, in Peoria, Ariz. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Mariners pitcher George Kirby during a baseball game against the Oakland Athletics in Oakland, Calif., Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Mariners’ strike-throwing machine Kirby hones his craft in solitude

George Kirby spent his offseason training without distractions — or a catcher — in his hometown.

Seattle Mariners pitcher George Kirby during a baseball game against the Oakland Athletics in Oakland, Calif., Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Seattle Mariners' J.P. Crawford watches his grand slam against the Texas Rangers during the fourth inning of a baseball game Friday, Sept. 29, 2023, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Mariners set at shortstop with Crawford

J.P. Crawford is coming off a career season and has developed into Seattle’s unofficial team captain.

Seattle Mariners' J.P. Crawford watches his grand slam against the Texas Rangers during the fourth inning of a baseball game Friday, Sept. 29, 2023, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Mariners' Josh Rojas holds a trident in the dugout as he celebrates after his solo home run against the Texas Rangers during the third inning of a baseball game Friday, Sept. 29, 2023, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Mariners spring preview: Rojas, Urias set for 3rd-base platoon

Seattle is tasked with replacing clubhouse leader Eugenio Suarez at the hot corner.

Seattle Mariners' Josh Rojas holds a trident in the dugout as he celebrates after his solo home run against the Texas Rangers during the third inning of a baseball game Friday, Sept. 29, 2023, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Minnesota Twins second baseman Jorge Polanco, right, tags out Chicago White Sox's Andrew Benintendi at second and throws to first baseman Kyle Farmer to tag out Luis Robert Jr. for the double play during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Mariners spring preview: Will Polanco fill the void at 2nd base?

Seattle is once turning to a veteran to bolster lacking production from the position.

Minnesota Twins second baseman Jorge Polanco, right, tags out Chicago White Sox's Andrew Benintendi at second and throws to first baseman Kyle Farmer to tag out Luis Robert Jr. for the double play during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)
Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh signals during the second inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)

Mariners spring preview: Raleigh carries the load at catcher

The power-hitting backstop set a single-season club record for home runs by a catcher last year.

Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh signals during the second inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)
Seattle Mariners starting pitcher George Kirby throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Mariners spring preview: How good can rotation be in 2024?

The team returns all five starters from a group that ranked among the MLB’s best last season.

Seattle Mariners starting pitcher George Kirby throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
FILE - Minnesota Twins second baseman Jorge Polanco throws out Houston Astros' Jeremy Pena at first base during the seventh inning in Game 2 of an American League Division Series baseball game in Houston, Oct. 8, 2023. The Seattle Mariners have acquired Polanco from the Twins, Monday, Jan. 29, 2024, for pitchers Anthony DeSclafani and Justin Topa, two minor leaguers and cash. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez, File)

Mariners acquire Jorge Polanco from Twins for 4-player package

Reliever Justin Topa and outfield prospect Gabriel Gonzalez are among the four players heading to Minnesota.

FILE - Minnesota Twins second baseman Jorge Polanco throws out Houston Astros' Jeremy Pena at first base during the seventh inning in Game 2 of an American League Division Series baseball game in Houston, Oct. 8, 2023. The Seattle Mariners have acquired Polanco from the Twins, Monday, Jan. 29, 2024, for pitchers Anthony DeSclafani and Justin Topa, two minor leaguers and cash. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez, File)
Seattle Mariners' J.P. Crawford (3) celebrates with Julio Rodriguez (44) after the Mariners defeated the Oakland Athletics in a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Analysis: An early projection of the Mariners’ 2024 roster

A look at who’s in line to be on the team’s opening day roster.

Seattle Mariners' J.P. Crawford (3) celebrates with Julio Rodriguez (44) after the Mariners defeated the Oakland Athletics in a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Seattle Mariners' Mitch Haniger takes a swing during an at-bat in a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Sunday, Aug. 28, 2022, in Seattle. The Mariners won 4-0. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

Mitch Haniger returns to Mariners in deal with Giants for Robbie Ray

Seattle also acquires right-handed pitcher Anthony DeSclafani from San Francisco. Later Friday, Seattle received Luke Raley from Tampa Bay in a separate deal.

Seattle Mariners' Mitch Haniger takes a swing during an at-bat in a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Sunday, Aug. 28, 2022, in Seattle. The Mariners won 4-0. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Seattle Mariners owner John Stanton, center, talks with Seattle Police chief Adrian Diaz, left, and Seattle Fire Department chief Harold Scoggins, right, before a baseball game between the Seattle Mariners and the Los Angeles Angels, Monday, Sept. 11, 2023, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Analysis: Mariners, Stanton need to be more transparent

Cost-cutting moves have drawn the ire fans. Meanwhile, ownership remains silent about the reasoning.

Seattle Mariners owner John Stanton, center, talks with Seattle Police chief Adrian Diaz, left, and Seattle Fire Department chief Harold Scoggins, right, before a baseball game between the Seattle Mariners and the Los Angeles Angels, Monday, Sept. 11, 2023, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Mariners' Jarred Kelenic looks on after striking out against the Houston Astros in a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023, in Seattle. The Astros won 8-3. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

M’s ship Kelenic, Gonzales to Braves in salary dump

Seattle rids itself of the contracts of Marco Gonzales and Evan White while receiving two pitchers.

Seattle Mariners' Jarred Kelenic looks on after striking out against the Houston Astros in a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023, in Seattle. The Astros won 8-3. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Mariners third baseman Eugenio Suarez fields a ground ball by Texas Rangers' Josh Jung in the first inning of a baseball game, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023, in Arlington, Texas. Jung was thrown out at first base on the play. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

M’s deal Suarez to D-backs for Vargas, Zavala

Seattle nets a reliever and a backup catcher for its starting third baseman.

Seattle Mariners third baseman Eugenio Suarez fields a ground ball by Texas Rangers' Josh Jung in the first inning of a baseball game, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023, in Arlington, Texas. Jung was thrown out at first base on the play. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
This is a 2023 photo of Julio Rodriguez of the Seattle Mariners baseball team. This image reflects the Seattle Mariners active roster as of Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023, when this image was taken. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

M’s analysis: Season mirrored ups, downs of star Julio Rodriguez

The 22-year-old center fielder had a massive second-half surge but was inconsistent overall.

This is a 2023 photo of Julio Rodriguez of the Seattle Mariners baseball team. This image reflects the Seattle Mariners active roster as of Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023, when this image was taken. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Seattle Mariners center fielder Julio Rodríguez signs autographs for fans on the sideline before an NCAA college football game between Washington and Oregon, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

J-Rod makes his UW debut

The Mariners star was among a smattering of celebrities on the Huskies’ sideline against Oregon.

Seattle Mariners center fielder Julio Rodríguez signs autographs for fans on the sideline before an NCAA college football game between Washington and Oregon, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)