The Seattle Mariners boast one of the most dominant pitching staffs in baseball, but with ownership refusing to open up its wallet in free agency, they’ve failed to upgrade an offense that was in dire need of reinforcement.
Last year, Seattle’s offense finished 29th in batting average (.224), 22nd in OPS (.687), 21st in runs scored (676), and first with most strikeouts (1,625). Instead of improving a lineup with free agents like Juan Soto, Pete Alonso, Alex Bregman, Teoscar Hernandez, and Anthony Santander, they merely brought back Jorge Polanco on a one-year deal and signed journeyman infielder Donovan Solano.
Despite their offensive issues, the Mariners only missed out on the playoffs by one game. They last played October baseball in 2022 — their only postseason appearance since 2002.
With the Mariners likely to struggle at the plate once again in 2025, a former player has ripped the team for failing to capitalize on their elite rotation.
Justin Turner: ‘Absurd’ Seattle Mariners didn’t add impact bat
In an interview with USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, Justin Turner, whom the Mariners acquired at last year’s trade deadline from the Toronto Blue Jays, blasted the team for failing to add a premier slugger to the lineup.
“The fact that they missed the playoffs by one game, and didn’t go out and add an impact bat or two when you have the best pitching staff in baseball, just seems absurd to me,” Turner told USA Today.
Turner was hoping to stay in Seattle as he enjoyed his time with the team. But the Mariners decided to let the veteran walk, and he ended up signing a one-year, $6 million deal with the Chicago Cubs.
“Honestly, as much as I wanted to be back there, if I was the only piece they brought back in, I would be saying the same thing: What the hell are we doing? Are you trying?” Turner stated.
“There’s not going to be a better time to go for it. So, I don’t know what they’re doing. I’m very confused. It’s a head-scratcher for me.”
The Mariners’ rotation consists of Logan Gilbert, Luis Castillo, George Kirby, Bryce Miller, and Bryan Woo. Teams have reached out to Seattle inquiring if they would be willing to trade one of their young pitchers, but so far, the Mariners have refused.
“There’s never going to be a better time in the history of that franchise to have added a couple of bats to make a run than this year, and they missed it,” Turner told USA Today.
“I thought Alonso was a slam-dunk. How can you not go after him? You kidding me?”
With Seattle’s ownership group continuing their tight-fisted approach to payroll, it’s difficult to envision the Mariners playing postseason baseball without making a significant addition to their lineup.
Related: MLB insider pours ice cold water on idea of Seattle Mariners making any major signings this winter