The Mariners finally got the young infield breakout they’ve been waiting for in Cole Young, only for the All-Star selection to leave him out of the picture. Randy Arozarena did make it, so Seattle does have at least one representative. But Young’s omission still lands as a tough one to explain.
This has been one of the better stories in Seattle’s season. In his first full year, Young has settled into his role and produced real value at the keystone.
He’s at 2.8 WAR with 9 home runs, 41 RBI and a .260/.320/.390 slash line, plus a 104 OPS+. That’s not empty production.
That’s a legitimate everyday contributor.
The starting nod at second base in the American League went to Ernie Clement, and that part is hard to argue with on its own. He earned the job through fan voting, which is how the process works, and he’s put together a solid year for Toronto with a .293/.316/.430 line, 7 home runs, 29 RBI and a 102 OPS+.
But fan voting is what it is: a popularity contest with numbers attached. Sometimes it lines up with the performance. Sometimes it rewards the bigger brand, the louder fan base or the name that travels better nationally.
That’s where the reserves become the real issue. Travis Bazzana getting in over Young is the choice that will bother Mariners fans. Bazzana has the bigger national profile, as the No. 1 overall pick and a fresh prospect with plenty of shine around him.
He’s also had a good season, posting a .250/.341/.412 slash line with 7 home runs, 27 RBI and 12 stolen bases. For a rookie, that’s a strong line, especially with the athleticism and buzz he brings to the position.
Still, Young’s case is stronger if the All-Star Game is meant to reward what’s happened on the field in the first half. He’s been more productive overall, driven in more runs and hit more home runs. He’s given Seattle more total value.
If the real argument is that Bazzana is the more exciting national name, then that’s one thing. If the goal is to put the bigger prospect on the stage, say that plainly. But if this is supposed to be about first-half performance, Young should not have been pushed aside.
In Other News...
Mariners Suddenly Revisit A Familiar Outfield Option At The Right Time
Stuart Fairchild is back in the Mariners organization, and the move adds a familiar name to the upper-minors mix at a time when Seattle is always looking for useful outfield depth. The club assigned the Seattle native to Triple-A Tacoma after signing him, bringing in a player it already knows from his brief stint with the team in 2022 and one who has bounced around the big leagues since his debut in 2021.
For the Mariners, the appeal is straightforward: Fairchild brings speed, defensive versatility and a right-handed bat, all traits that can matter quickly over a long season. His path to this point has included a recent stop with Cleveland before he reached free agency, and the next question is whether this latest return to Seattle becomes more than just a depth move. [Read more 🡒]
Former Mariners Infielder Just Put Colt Emerson Hype Into Words
Ben Williamsons move out of the Mariners organization has not severed the ties that made him part of Seattles infield conversation for so long. On the Refuse to Lose Territory podcast, the former Mariners infielder talked about his career path and what it has been like to stay connected with old teammates, including Colt Emerson and Cole Young, even after being traded to Tampa Bay in the winter deal that brought Brendan Donovan to Seattle.
Williamsons comments landed because they came with real familiarity, not just standard prospect praise, and they added another layer to the buzz around Emersons rise. For Mariners fans, it is another reminder that the organizations young talent is being noticed by people who have seen it up close, and that the relationships built in the system are still very much alive as Williamson tries to settle in with the Rays, where he is hitting .235 with two home runs and 21 RBIs. [Read more 🡒]
Mariners Deadline Idea Feels Risky Enough To Split The Fanbase
With the Aug. 3 trade deadline approaching, the Mariners are being linked to a familiar type of move: adding a veteran bat who could help right away but would also force some uncomfortable roster math. Jorge Polanco is back from the injured list and under contract through 2027, which is the sort of detail that makes any discussion around him more than a rental conversation. For Seattle, the appeal is easy to see, but so is the hesitation, because a move like this would not come cheap in either payroll or playing time.
The fit is where the debate starts to get messy. Second base is already occupied by Cole Young, while designated hitter has effectively been tied to Dominic Canzone, so Polanco would arrive with no obvious lane and plenty of questions attached to his role. Add in the fact that he is in Year 1 of a two-year, $40 million deal and still owed $29.9 million, and it is clear why this idea has enough upside to intrigue the front office but enough risk to split the fanbase. [Read more 🡒]