By Paul L. Taylor Posted on

Mariners bullpen already a prevalent story for better and worse

We’re only two games into the 2026 season, but the bullpen is dominating the headlines more than the Seattle Mariners would like.

During the Mariners’ rise to prominence since 2021 the bullpen has consistently been good, but took a step back last season. Sure they were still in the top 10 for ERA, but overall they just weren’t as effective as people have come to expect, ranking 13th in WHIP, tied-16th in batting average and 17th in strikeouts.

The top of the bullpen was brimming with quality in 2025 with Andrés Muñoz and Matt Brash, helped by the emergence of Gabe Speier and Eduard Bazardo as key components. (Successful reclamation projects being a staple of this organization.) However, the combination of injuries and a lack of reliable depth relievers saw the team pushing their luck throughout the season.

This came to a head in the playoffs, with Bazardo giving up the fatal three-run homer in the bottom of the seventh in Game 7 of the ALCS versus the Blue Jays. As a result, the Mariners took a gamble which we’re still not entirely on board with despite understanding the rationale, by trading top catching prospect Harry Ford to the Nationals as part of a deal to acquire Jose A. Ferrer.

Dan Wilson already receiving criticism about his bullpen decisions

Well, here we are just two games into the 2026 season and the Mariners bullpen is already getting more than its fair share of attention, both positive and negative. In the home opener on Thursday it was back to critics pointing the finger squarely at manager Dan Wilson and his decision-making, even though it often seems unfair and almost a case of him not being able to win over the naysayers no matter what he does.

Things looked good initially when Ferrer replaced Logan Gilbert and, while he did give up a couple of hits, got the two necessary outs to preserve a 3-3 tie through the middle of the sixth. Then it was over to fellow lefty Speier in the top of the seventh, brought in to face the bottom of the order.

Speier was a revelation for the Mariners last year, going from being predicted not to last long in the bullpen, to making the most appearances among all relievers. However, there was some concern with how his form dipped during September and then in the playoffs, only made worse by a poor spring training and World Baseball Classic with Team USA.

What transpired against the Guardians was rough, as Speier allowed three hits in his one inning of action, with the key contact being Jose Ramirez’s two-out two-run double which gave the visitors a 5-3 lead. Chase DeLauter then completed a wondrous Major League debut by hitting his second home run of the evening in the top of the ninth, a solo blast off Cooper Criswell, to complete the scoring at 6-4.

This led to the renewed criticism that Wilson struggles with making the correct decisions when handling the bullpen, on this occasion the seventh inning specifically. However, it’s tough to hold the M’s manager accountable when Speier is allowing singles against a number nine hitter who usually struggles against southpaws and a player with no Major League experience prior to Thursday night.

Now yes, you can certainly make the case that someone like Brash should have been brought in to get the final out once Ramirez came to the plate. However, even here we would contend that it’s literally the first game of the season and Wilson is trying to show some faith in Speier, to help him rediscover his self-belief and previous form.

That’s more like it

Friday night turned out to be a much more positive experience for the bullpen and indeed the team as a whole, as despite only managing three hits all game, the Mariners won 5-1. And while the 5-1 lead had already been established when George Kirby was replaced, the relievers still did their part to complete the victory.

Bazardo came in to pitch a scoreless seventh inning in his first appearance since helping Venezuela win the WBC, then Brash repeated the process in the top of the eighth. Finally it was over to Muñoz to do what he usually does, as he allowed one hit but struck out two to complete a scoreless ninth and clinch the win for the Mariners.

No matter how much confidence Wilson has in his players, he was still understandably relieved that the Mariners managed to avoid going 0-2 to begin the season. Talking about the bullpen specifically, he said:

“The bullpen tonight, threw the ball very well. Zardo to Brash to Mooney. I thought all three of those guys threw the ball well, attacked the zone. Again, this is what our team likes to do.”

It’s a long season and Wilson knows full well he’s going to face plenty more criticism about his handling of the bullpen, even though you can guarantee plenty of it will be unfair and the results beyond his control. Still, more often than not the relievers have the quality to get the job done and spare their manager from unnecessary blame.

Mariners bullpen dealing with an early injury issue

As if the bullpen wasn’t getting enough attention, there was some additional news surrounding them ahead of Friday’s game when righty Carlos Vargas was placed on the 15-day injured list. He’s dealing with a right lat strain and the move was made retroactive to Mar. 24, with Cole Wilcox being recalled from Triple-A Tacoma as his replacement.

As much as this won’t stop some people from blaming Wilson for what happened on Thursday evening, these two moves do at least explain why Criswell was used in the top of the ninth. With the manager trying to balance not overusing his relievers early on in the season, this was the type of situation where he would have often brought Vargas in.

The absence of Vargas will be tough as, no matter how erratic he could be at times last season, his pure stuff is tremendous. Clearly the Mariners were aware of this with him pitching the second-most innings out of the bullpen in 2025 behind Bazardo, and with the hope that he can become more consistent in the coming months.

For now though the Mariners will use Wilcox in his place as a low-leverage reliever alongside the likes of Criswell and Casey Legumina. At one time a top prospect in college, Wilcox brings plenty of intrigue and potential, highlighted by a fastball/sinker combo which reaches 97 mph.

Photos court​‌esy of Mazvita Maraire & Tim Rogers Photography

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