The Seattle Mariners’ margin for error in the American League West is already razor thin, and Tuesday brought another development that could make life even harder down the road.
At 64-74 and six games out in a division that has been anything but dominant, Seattle’s playoff hopes are hanging by a thread. Now the Los Angeles Angels have been bought by Los Angeles Rams owner Stan Kroenke, and that kind of ownership change could reshape the balance in the division.
The Angels have spent more than a decade stuck in mediocrity and still carry the longest playoff drought in the sport. For years, that has made them a familiar presence near the bottom of the AL West, which has at least helped soften the blow for Seattle when the Mariners have stumbled. That setup may not last much longer.
As Ari Meirov noted, Kroenke’s portfolio already stretches across the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLS, NLL, the EPL and the Women’s Super League. His teams have won titles in the NFL, NBA, NHL, Premiere League, NLL and Super League, all since 2022.
That kind of track record suggests the Angels may not stay stuck for long. And for the Mariners, the bigger concern isn’t just that Los Angeles could spend more. It’s how that money gets used.
The Angels already opened the checkbook under Arte Moreno, landing players such as Josh Hamilton, CJ Wilson, Albert Pujols, Yusei Kikuchi and Anthony Rendon. So the real danger for Seattle may not be another splashy signing. It’s the possibility that the Angels start pouring resources into scouting, player development and drafting.
If that happens, the entire equation changes. A stronger organizational foundation, combined with Kroenke’s financial muscle and the advantages of operating in California, could eventually give the Angels a much more sustainable path to winning. It would take time, but the possibility is there.
There is at least one hope for Mariners fans: Kroenke’s other teams have been extremely aggressive, especially the Rams, who have traded away seemingly every first-round pick they’ve had over the last seven years or so. If he pushes too hard, too fast, there’s a chance he could make moves that backfire.
That’s a possibility, not a promise.
And there’s more bad news lurking beyond Anaheim. The Athletics are reportedly headed into their Las Vegas stadium in 2028, and that move is expected to make them more aggressive too. They’ll want to kick off that era with a statement, which is another thing Seattle has to keep an eye on.
For Mariners fans, the picture just got a little more complicated.
In Other News...
Mariners Have One Obvious Call To Make As Offense Keeps Sliding
The Mariners have reached the point in the season where every stretch of lost ground feels heavier, even with the playoff picture still close enough to keep hope alive. Offense has been the central concern for a club sitting below .500, and the recent slide has only sharpened the pressure on a lineup that has not gotten enough steady production from the middle of the order. Cal Raleigh and Julio Rodriguez have had mixed results, and the pitching staff has started to show some wear as the team leans more on rookies.
Against that backdrop, Randy Arozarena stands out as one of the few hitters giving Seattle a reliable spark. His offense has been strong, and the improved plate discipline is a good sign for a team that needs more traffic on the bases and more consistent at-bats across the board, even if his defense remains a concern. When a club is trying to stay in the race while its run scoring keeps sputtering, the obvious move is often the one that best rewards the player doing the most to keep the lineup afloat. [Read more 🡒]
Mariners Just Made A Desperate Roster Bet For Their Playoff Push
The Mariners added a little late-season intrigue by grabbing veteran left-hander Hoby Milner after he was waived by the Cubs, a move that gives Seattle another arm it can deploy if this push lasts into October. At the same time, the club brought up outfielder Lazaro Montes from Triple-A Tacoma, setting up his major league debut and adding another layer of youth to a roster that has been trying to balance urgency with depth as the playoff race tightens.
To make the pieces fit, Seattle designated utilityman Connor Joe and pitcher Nolan Kingham for assignment, the kind of roster shuffle that usually says as much about the moment as the players involved. The Mariners are clearly playing for flexibility now, looking for any edge they can find while also creating a lane for Montes to get his first big league look, with the bigger question being how far these moves can carry them if the season keeps stretching deeper. [Read more 🡒]
Mariners Finally Turn To One Of Their Most Intriguing Young Bats
The Mariners are giving one of their most closely watched young hitters a shot in the big leagues, with Lazaro Montes set to join the club in Boston and make his Major League debut. The 21-year-old outfielder has built a strong reputation in the minors, and his arrival adds a new layer of intrigue to a roster that has been looking for answers and upside as it moves deeper into the season.
Seattle also added pitcher Hoby Milner after he recently signed a minor league contract following his release by the Chicago Cubs, while Connor Joe and Nolan Kingham were designated for assignment. The moves show the Mariners trying to keep the roster flexible while making room for a prospect who has earned a long look, and now the question shifts to how quickly Montes can translate that promise once he gets on the field. [Read more 🡒]