Mariners make all the right moves with roster but concerns remain

The Mariners made plenty of positive and aggressive moves with the roster on Tuesday, but proceeded to get blanked 8-0 by the Tigers.

Tuesday proved to be a day of great anticipation for Mariners fans. The trade deadline was a positive one in Seattle and seven roster moves were made, that alluded to the team finally being in an optimal position. Then all the momentum was ruined, as the M’s lost 8-0 to the Tigers in front of 35,752 fans at T-Mobile Park.

We appreciate there are those who believe the Mariners could have done more, specifically trade for a quality reliever to boost the bullpen. However, Jerry Dipoto and company still did well in ridding themselves of Luis Castillo’s hefty remaining salary, while also getting a real prospect as part of the return package. The M’s then went and got the right-handed bat they needed in Taylor Ward, and there was nothing to complain about with what they gave up for him.

Next, the Mariners made a whole host of roster moves on Tuesday which alluded to the team finally putting their best possible product on the field. Harsh or not, plenty of fans were not sad to see Rob Refsnyder and Mitch Garver get released. Refsnyder failed in his main job of hitting lefties by batting just .147 with a .506 OPS, while Garver was even worse at the plate compared to his previous two seasons in Seattle.

A welcome return to offset overdue goodbyes

With Garver gone the Mariners recalled Jhonny Pereda from Triple-A Tacoma to serve as backup catcher, a role in which he performed just fine earlier this season. Meanwhile, Ward officially reported to the club and Brendan Donovan made his long-awaited return from the Injured List, with the hope that he’s now over his lingering left groin muscle strain. Seranthony Domínguez also reported to the club after his trade from the White Sox, while Stuart Fairchild was designated for assignment.

The anticipation only grew when the Mariners announced their lineup for Tuesday evening’s game versus the Tigers. It was arguably the best lineup the M’s had put on the field all season and gave genuine reason to believe the tide was ready to turn. And they were ably backed up by Emerson Hancock on the mound, who has enjoyed a breakout season and finally proved that he belongs.

What came next was the Mariners doing what they seem to do better than most, by falling apart when things seemed primed to go their way. The lineup only managed four hits on the night, highlighted by Donovan and Ward going a combined 0-for-7 at the plate. In fairness Hancock battled well to get through 6.0 innings and give up three earned runs (plus one unearned), but then Domínguez made the worst possible first impression as a Mariner, allowing four hits, two walks and four earned runs in the top of the ninth and only managing one out.

Mariners lineup continues to play well below their potential

The result was a devastating loss which was made even worse by the Astros and Rangers both winning on the same night. The Mariners fell to 55-59, 3.5 games out of first place in the AL West and 2.0 games out of a wild card spot. They remain in genuine contention thanks to the overall state of the American League, but with 48 games left, concern only continues to grow.

We know the lineup is better than what they’ve shown so far this season, and yet at some point you have to accept the productivity — or lack thereof — defines you. The Mariners are tied-last in team batting average, 27th in OPS and third-worst in runs scored per game. It doesn’t matter how talented the likes of Cal Raleigh, Julio Rodríguez and Josh Naylor are, if they aren’t showing it on the field of play.

It’s tough to get excited and have faith in a lineup which has now been shut out 10 times, the most by the Mariners since 2022. Their 10 shutouts this season are also the second-most in the majors. It’s anticipated that Ward’s addition and Donovan’s return will help spark things, but obviously there are no such guarantees.

The debate on what to do with Colt Emerson?

As much as a premium of the focus should be on the now and trying to make the most of this window of opportunity to compete in the underwhelming AL, we’re particularly concerned for Colt Emerson. After a promising start he’s clearly now struggling, hitting just .197 with a 601 OPS and 72 OPS+. We appreciate what he needs to work on can’t be fixed in Triple-A, and yet it might be best to follow what they did with Cole Young last season and put him in Tacoma just to rebuild his confidence, if nothing else.

On the point of confidence, Emerson has been mostly decent defensively, but it was his mistake in the third inning which helped get the Tigers going, leading to three runs which set them on their way to the win. Mariners manger Dan Wilson discussed the unfortunate turn of events postgame. He said:

“You know, a tough play there by (Emerson). He makes that play nine times out of 10 and (it) just looks like he just kind of pulled it up the line today and kind of opened the door there for that big inning in the third.”

Mariners can’t afford to rely on just hope

Wilson acknowledged the lineup just couldn’t get going on the night. However, he’s hopeful the Mariners can repeat the sequence of the previous series versus the Twins, when they lost the opening game but then won the next two. He said:

“We did have a little bit of traffic here and there, but nothing sustained and nothing consistent. (Troy Melton) just kept us off the barrel all night long and a tough one tonight. We’ve got to come back tomorrow and, like we did against Minnesota, we’ve got to get the series.”

Hope remains for a Mariners team which is more talented than what they have shown. Hope remains for a Mariners team which is one of only four teams with 85+ wins in each of the past five seasons. However, hope is a dangerous thing to rely on, and it’s going to take more than this to turn things around in what has so far been a disappointing campaign.

Photos court​‌esy Tim Rogers Photography

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