The Tampa Bay Rays are one win away from the World Series, and that puts a couple of former Seattle Mariners on the edge of the Fall Classic picture as well.
Tampa Bay held off the Cleveland Guardians 3-1 at Progressive Field on Sunday afternoon, moving within a victory of its first World Series trip since the COVID-shortened 2020 season. The Rays still have never won a title.
For Seattle fans, the Rays’ run carries an extra layer: pitcher Casey Legumina and infielder Ben Williamson are both former Mariners now trying to get to the biggest stage in baseball.
Legumina, who is now 29, was a 2019 eighth-round pick by the Minnesota Twins out of Gonzaga. He reached the majors in 2023 with the Cincinnati Reds and landed with Seattle in 2025.
He worked 48 games for the Mariners that season, finishing 4-6 with a 5.62 ERA. The ERA was rough, but the underlying numbers were kinder; his FIP sat at 4.38. He piled up 55 strikeouts in 49.2 innings and showed off loud stuff with high-end velocity and a good slider.
His 2026 start in Seattle went badly from the jump. He posted a 4.63 ERA in 11.2 innings, went 0-1, and because he was out of options, he was designated for assignment before being traded to Tampa Bay. The Rays got much better results: Legumina went 2-1 with a 3.60 ERA in 47 appearances and struck out 46 hitters in 60.0 innings.
He is not on the ALCS roster and has yet to pitch in a playoff game.
Williamson’s path has been a little different. Seattle took him in the second round of the 2023 draft out of William and Mary, and he debuted in 2025.
A light bat but dependable glove, he appeared in 85 games at third base for the Mariners and hit .253 with a .604 OPS. Once Seattle brought in Eugenio Suarez at the trade deadline, Williamson went back to the minors.
There was at least some belief he might open 2026 as Seattle’s third baseman, but the Mariners moved him as part of the three-team deal that brought Brendan Donovan to Seattle just before spring training.
With Tampa Bay, Williamson played in 88 games and hit .238 with three home runs. His defensive grades weren’t as strong there, but he still gave the Rays a valuable utility option, and he made a sharp play at second base in Sunday’s win.
Williamson also appeared on the ‘ Refuse to Lose Territory’ podcast earlier this summer, discussing his time in Seattle.
Game 5 of the ALCS is set for Monday night at Tropicana Field.
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