When ESPN’s Jeff Passan picked the Seattle Mariners as MLB’s biggest disappointment of 2026, he left the New York Mets in the runner-up spot for one simple reason: the Mets at least have some real reasons to feel better about what comes next.
Passan’s answer centered on the gap between expectation and reality. Seattle came into the year with far more to lose, and instead of building on last season’s near-miss, the club slid hard. The Mets have had their own miserable stretch, but their rookie class has given them something tangible to point toward.
“Biggest disappointment: Seattle Mariners,” Passan writes. “This could've been the New York Mets, but considering the excellent rookie seasons turned in by Carson Benge and A.J. Ewing -- who very easily could combine with Juan Soto to form the best outfield in baseball as soon as next season -- at least the Mets have something positive to say about 2026.”
That contrast is what separates the two clubs in Passan’s eyes. New York can point to Carson Benge, A.J.
Ewing, Nolan McLean, and other young players as part of the future picture. Seattle, meanwhile, has spent 2026 producing far fewer bright spots.
Cal Raleigh has regressed and been a major disappointment. Julio Rodriguez hasn’t looked like the star he seemed to be earlier in his career.
The rotation, which was expected to carry the team, has fallen short. On top of that, offseason additions Josh Naylor, Brendan Donovan, and others have also underperformed.
There’s even more uncertainty ahead. Randy Arozarena is headed for free agency and could leave, creating another hole for a lineup that already has too many issues.
Seattle does have some young talent worth watching, including Cole Young, Kade Anderson, and Colt Emerson. But that hasn’t been enough to soften the blow of a season that has gone sideways.
The Mets’ disappointment lands differently because they sold at the deadline, added some useful pieces for the future, and still have reasons to believe 2027 and beyond can look better. The Mariners don’t have that same cushion, especially after missing the postseason in a weak AL West.
A year after coming within one win of the World Series, Seattle’s drop-off has been the harsher story. That’s why Passan put the Mariners at the top of his disappointment list, with the outlook for 2027 and beyond looking far less certain than the one facing the Mets.
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