The Seattle Mariners are sitting at 64-70, trying to claw their way into a postseason race that still has some life in a weak American League. They’re only a couple of games behind the AL West-leading Houston Astros, who are 67-67 on August 28, so the division is still there for the taking. But if Seattle falls short, one name could quickly get dragged into the conversation: Dan Wilson.
Sports Illustrated’s Karl Rasmussen raised the possibility that Wilson could be out if the Mariners miss the playoffs. His view was blunt: "If the Mariners can't sneak into the postseason in a lackluster American League, Wilson may find himself out of a job," Rasmussen writes.
That would be a mistake.
Yes, managers in the American League who miss the postseason are going to face questions. But Wilson’s case looks different from the rest of that group.
He took over at the end of the 2024 season and went 21-13. Then in 2025, he guided Seattle to a 90-72 record and left the Mariners one win short of the World Series.
That run was the deepest in franchise history, and beating the Toronto Blue Jays would have turned Wilson into a Mariners legend.
Instead, this season has gone the other way. The results have been ugly, and the disappointment is real.
But the source of that collapse hasn’t been Wilson alone. A pile of injuries to key players and the struggles of Cal Raleigh, among others, have done far more damage to Seattle’s chances in 2026.
Wilson isn’t blameless, and no manager is ever completely off the hook. But if the Mariners miss the postseason, firing him after this season would still be the wrong move. He should get another year with this group in 2027, because he’s earned the benefit of the doubt after taking Seattle all the way to the doorstep of the World Series.
In Other News...
Mariners Trade Call On Harry Ford Looks Better But One Doubt Remains
The Mariners decision to move Harry Ford for Jose A. Ferrer is looking increasingly sensible from Seattles side, especially with Ferrer settling in as a dependable left-handed arm. Ford, meanwhile, has not given Washington much on offense, and his bat has continued to lag behind the expectations that followed him out of the Mariners system. Even so, the trade has not played out as a one-sided win or loss, because Fords defense has remained steady enough to keep him in the conversation.
What still hangs over the deal is whether Ford can do enough at the plate to turn himself into more than a defense-first catching option. His limited major league chances with the Nationals have not changed the larger picture, and his Triple-A struggles have only added to the uncertainty. For Seattle, the value of Ferrer is already clear, but Fords long-term outlook is still the part of the story that has yet to settle. [Read more 🡒]
Mariners Suddenly Have Two September Roster Decisions That Could Matter A Lot
The Mariners are heading into September with the kind of roster flexibility contenders spend all summer chasing, and the timing could be important. On Sept. 1, active rosters expand from 26 to 28 players, with clubs allowed to carry no more than 14 pitchers, which gives Seattle a chance to reshape the bench and bullpen as it tries to keep pace in the AL West.
Potential options include the usual minor-league call-ups such as Arroyo and Bliss, along with possible returns from the injured list like Brendan Donovan and Matt Brash if theyre healthy enough to go. Seattles focus is clear: add some offense where it can and get more depth on the mound, but the exact mix of those two roster spots still has to sort itself out. [Read more 🡒]
Mariners Had Just One Answer For A Brutal Dylan Cease Night
Dylan Cease has been a problem for the Mariners all season, and the latest meeting only reinforced it. Across two starts against Seattle, he piled up 17 strikeouts in 13 innings, leaning on a slider and changeup mix that kept hitters uncomfortable and rarely on time. For a lineup that has worked to find more consistency, it was the kind of night where almost every at-bat felt uphill.
Dominic Canzone provided the lone real punch, turning around a fastball for his 20th home run of the season. It was a clear bright spot in an otherwise lopsided pitching matchup, the sort of swing that can briefly cut through an aces rhythm before the night settles back into his control. Even so, the bigger takeaway for Seattle was how thoroughly Cease dictated the game from start to finish. [Read more 🡒]