The Seattle Mariners in 2023

Hopefully my AL team will be fun to watch?

Genuinely love this team.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FscpgdKagAEamq6?format=jpg&name=large

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FseryOWaIAI6eKq?format=jpg&name=large

Posnanski is picking them to win the WS.

That’s an interesting take? I saw they made a video where they explicitly said this was an aim for them, and I thought “Good for them,” honestly. They made some great additions to the roster and have some amazing young talent though, I really like the rotation as well. I’d love to see it, and hope he is right, I think they are the only franchise never to get to the actual WS iirc?

Also, Julio’s Players Tribune piece about loving Seattle and the Mariners is the best:

I was in the back of Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse with my agent at the end of August, and that’s what I was thinking about. That energy. He was telling me about the contract, about all the details, and I just wanted that energy, forever. I’ll be honest, I never thought twice about another club or a future anywhere else other than Seattle. I don’t care if people believe it. The Mariners took a chance on me all those years ago. They let me be me. Other clubs had their opportunity. I was still Julio back then. Seattle just saw it before everyone else. I’ll always appreciate that. And another thing: I’m happy here. Every time I’m at the ballpark, every time I’m walking around the city, every time I look at the Space Needle and remember The Jetsons cartoons I used to watch on the living room floor — I’m reminded how happy I am here.

Love to wake up and see that Ty France had a great day at work

OPENING DAY OPPO 💣🤯

Ty France 3-run shot for the lead!

(via @Mariners) pic.twitter.com/L0nMwQcS2E

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 31, 2023

Ty France, The Independent pic.twitter.com/QUtZL9Pz4R

— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) March 31, 2023

Absolute heartbreaker in Guardians extra innings game, Brash giving up two runs in the bottom of the 9th was dire. Lineup couldn’t get it together ito hitting today. Hopefully next series they move over .500. Who are they playing next? The Cubs? Well…

Found out Cal Raleigh was a huge Jason Varitek fan, fellow switch-hitting catcher obv. Trying to think which player I dislike enough to be an Arod in that equation.

Cal Raleigh is behind the plate tonight. He grew up a Red Sox fan so it's no surprise Jason Varitek was his favorite player. The entire Raleigh family cheered for Boston and his dad Todd (also a catcher) played in the Red Sox minor leagues for a bit.

— Jen Mueller (@JenTalksSports) May 20, 2022

Jarred Kelenic vs Julian Merryweather#SeaUsRise

Home Run (3) 💣

Exit velo: 111.7 mph
Launch angle: 31 deg
Proj. distance: 482 ft

No doubt about that one 🔒
That's a dinger in all 30 MLB ballparks

SEA (5) @ CHC (1)
🔺 8th pic.twitter.com/IFRgq4m3dn

— Would it dong? (@would_it_dong) April 12, 2023

The way the Cubs broadcast marvels at Jarred Kelenic's homer kinda says it all... pic.twitter.com/dESpsdwu8t

— Daniel Kramer (@DKramer_) April 12, 2023

Cal Raleigh is perfect to me 🥹

End the drought, get your own bobblehead.

Take one home tomorrow night ⬇️

— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) April 13, 2023

the butt should have bobbled

I am gracefully averting my eyes from the fact the Mariners have lost 3 in a row and look kind of lost with several of their starters and instead:

Fully City Connect jerseys for the Mariners pic.twitter.com/ppKXarQ0d4

— Trident True (@TridentTruee) April 21, 2023

Our history. Our story.

🟦 https://t.co/EeVZX8FrV1 🟨 pic.twitter.com/yqGp2nK3Nd

— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) April 28, 2023

that shirt is tremendous! the naval details on the sleeves!

i gotta say, they really "knocked it out of the park" with this uniform

they should do “turn ahead the clock” night again

https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/zMxKEQ6mNZoOPFlrsgP55ASqeO8=/0x0:4082x2721/1200x800/filters:focal(2937x949:3589x1601)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65975966/usa_today_10918337.0.jpg

Oh no

Too bad about the scoreline but at least Cal was hitting and also this was a pretty decent play

.@jp_crawford making it look easy. pic.twitter.com/S1VsEXHPtr

— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) April 29, 2023

good lord, their newly called up starter allows the Blue Jays 1 hit through 6 2/3, bullpen holds them hitless through 9, meanwhile they strike out 19 times and lose the game in the 10th.

19 times!!

That’s the Mariners, remember when they went 18 scoreless innings in the game against the Astros last year? And then other games it’s like a whole different team. Cal Raleigh struck out four times today; yesterday he went 2 for 4 and drove in both runs including a homer. They are just Like That.

Welcome back, Taylor Trammell ... It's his first career grand slam and 🔱 debut. A 359-foot, 98.6 mph blast to the pull side with authority. pic.twitter.com/5htIFW2csh

— Daniel Kramer (@DKramer_) April 30, 2023

Cal left no crumbs 🥹

We love Cal Raleigh. pic.twitter.com/NUF1R1TcGB

— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) April 30, 2023

Cal Raleigh vs Zach Pop#SeaUsRise

Home Run (5) 💣

Exit velo: 106.2 mph
Launch angle: 28 deg
Proj. distance: 408 ft

No doubt about that one 🔒
That's a dinger in all 30 MLB ballparks

SEA (10) @ TOR (8)
🔺 10th pic.twitter.com/tCfR1V7k1J

— Would it dong? (@would_it_dong) April 30, 2023

Nice series win against the Astros and what a great start Bryce Miller has had! Pitched incredibly today.

I was watching some coverage of the Mariners the other day and they were described as playing complete chaos ball, what can you say when confronted with this?

The @Mariners had some big hits last night.

None bigger than this one. 🤣 pic.twitter.com/jrqNgfqrpW

— MLB (@MLB) May 10, 2023

JRod had a similar ice cold start in 2022:

Through 5-18-22 he had a .240/.303/.322 slash (84 wRC+)

So far in 2023 he is .204/.271/.387 (86 wRC+)

Not unheard of for DR players playing in northern climates to take time to get hot.

Reah I know he started slow last year as well. He’s so young, it’s not anything serious but he’s such an icon it’s difficult to see him struggle. He actually started the first ten or so games pretty well with several multiple hit games but trailed off after that. Just seems that they never have just one player slumping so it’s more noticeable than it would otherwise be.

Actually just looked at today’s lineup and saw they moved him from leadoff as well. Hopefully that helps.

Servais has been thinking about dropping Julio down in the lineup for a couple days talked to him about it after last night's game. Wants to give him a break, allow Julio see some AB's before stepping to the plate. Does want to see him back in the leadoff spot.

— Jen Mueller (@JenTalksSports) May 10, 2023

JP’s my fave. 🫡

https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/mariners/its-all-coming-together-mariners-j-p-crawford-emerging-as-a-legitimate-two-way-threat/

“First, last, sixth, seventh — it doesn’t matter. As long as I’m in the lineup every day, I’m going to try to get on base and let the guys hit me in,” he said.

He leads the team in on-base percentage (.382) and he’s posting a career high in walk rate at 18.2%, up from 11.3% in 2022.

CAL RALEIGH I LOVE YOU

MONSTROUS DUMPER pic.twitter.com/gNzJebUes9

— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) May 16, 2023

Yet, Big Dumper did something on Monday night that Varitek never accomplished, despite being one of the best switch-hitters in the rich history of the Red Sox. Raleigh became the first catcher to homer from both sides of the plate in Fenway Park’s 112 years of existence while lifting the Mariners to a 10-1 win.

“He obviously had the ‘C’ on his chest, he was the captain,” Raleigh said of Varitek. “I feel like you don't see a lot of guys like that, who get that respect and kind of earn all that. That's just the kind of player you want to be. I don't really care about the home runs and stats. I want to be a good teammate, a good leader, and a good guy that people can lean on.”

Piece on George Kirby and his incredible K/BB ratio:

https://www.billjamesonline.com/george_kirbys_adventures_in_ratio_land/

There’s not really a huge amount of info on Kirby cos this is his first full season, but he’s such a special pitcher to watch. I disagree that his offspeed pitches aren’t special. He has four that he uses with a wide range of movement and with his command it throws hitters off. What he did to the Red Sox lineup, which I think is third in hitting this season so far, was just insanely poised for someone in his first full season.

George Kirby, Disgusting 83mph Curveball. 🤮 pic.twitter.com/Yr0G3eVxQU

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 16, 2023

Ty France fucking up the scoreboard YES

TY FRANCE HATES TEXAS CONFIRMED pic.twitter.com/rDz0RLfKXF

— Mr Matthew CFB (@MrMatthewCFB) May 24, 2023

Initial X-rays on Ty France’s left wrist came back negative, but Scott Servais said there is a contusion and a lot of swelling in the area, putting doubt on the first baseman being in tomorrow’s lineup. As for a possible IL stint, the Mariners will assess it day to day.

— Daniel Kramer (@DKramer_) May 24, 2023

Think it’s fair to say Julio is out of that slump

That's just @JRODshow44 for you. pic.twitter.com/eAjrzONkQK

— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) May 27, 2023

love stuff like that

I love Teo always

Why @TheJudge44

— Teoscar Hernandez (@TeoscarH) May 30, 2023

Kirby’s command!

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FxiFQCvXoAAGxm_?format=jpg&name=large

He really wanted that win:( what a legend

Julio remains the king

June ❤️🏳️‍🌈 pic.twitter.com/ShVxVltgv0

— Julio Rodriguez🇩🇴🦁 (@JRODshow44) June 1, 2023

Mariners learning to score again? Things you love to see.

Scott Servais on George Kirby's demeanor in the dugout tonight:

"Oh, he was about ready to rip somebody's head off."

— Daniel Kramer (@DKramer_) June 1, 2023

George Kirby had himself a career night! 👏 pic.twitter.com/8bTDAzvGm3

— MLB (@MLB) June 14, 2023

George Kirby, 96mph ⛽️

10th K pic.twitter.com/nHgkNDAuuy

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) June 14, 2023

I hiro mention!

Earlier today I watched Raleigh take BP and hit a long, deep drive just over the “76” sign into the ‘pen, only to be robbed of his batting practice home run by a perfectly-timed leap from the 49-year-old Ichiro Suzuki. Cal, who was mired in a tough stretch over the road trip, threw up his hands in exasperation at another well-hit ball finding a glove. He then proceeded to hit one into the second deck of the Hit It Here Café a few pitches later, so I think we can credit the Ichiro Effect on that homer from Cal. Seriously, though, Cal said postgame what has been bogging him down is thinking too much, effectively outsmarting himself as he tries to think like a catcher and a hitter at the same time.

“I think I started worrying too much about what the pitcher was doing and not enough about what works for me,” said Cal of his tough stretch. “My job is to go out there and be ready to hit every single time. Be ready for the fastball and just adjust to the off-speed.”

“Sometimes it’s the dumb hitters that are really good in this game, just because they’re always on the fastball. They’re always keeping it simple, which is a good thing.”

Mariners won a one-run game and they did it in the City Connects for the first time this season!

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FyzLhVHagAEAiQe?format=jpg&name=large

Also, Woo looked pretty decent after his debut being absolutely brutal, 9 Ks through 5&2/3, 3 hits, 2ER.

The movement on his slider is sexy af

Bryan Woo, Wicked 85mph Slider. 🤢 pic.twitter.com/ynVMLzTflQ

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) June 17, 2023

The Mariners are back at .500! Unfortunate they had to do it against the Giants, but it’s what it is. Happy for Walter to get the cgso, his last few stars have been poor and he and the team really needed this.

Have watched this video about a million times, so many great little details.

.@gkirb98 and @JRODshow44 are IN! pic.twitter.com/SCuVkRYaV6

— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) July 5, 2023

I feel for him

Mariners outfielder Jarred Kelenic shed tears apologizing after breaking his foot while kicking a water cooler. https://t.co/Bd4CutPVy5 pic.twitter.com/WPc19UAJbC

— AP Sports (@AP_Sports) July 20, 2023

Does such extreme repentance offer salvation from clownhood? Does a tear-soaked utterance of the phrase, "I just ... feel terrible (sniffle) ... especially for the guys," spare one from derision in a case such as this? Can our hearts truly remain hardened in the presence of a man who both knows he's done wrong and cares for the guys?

In this case, I am willing to take the rare step of sparing Kelenic from designation as a clown. The deciding factor here is that he was originally drafted by the Mets, which means he was doomed to suffer some kind of humiliating malady at some point, and therefore none of this is really his fault.

That’s great, where is that from?

Also 3 straight batters hit in a row by a wild twins pitcher in the 8th. Very silly, and very glad they were all wearing elbow guards b

Kolten Wong’s resurgence has made me incredibly happy

How many times have you reached .500 pic.twitter.com/GsL6XWs0b5

— Konjac Jelly (Midners Fan) (@Mariner_Konjac) July 26, 2023

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F2fScE_bQAggIZF?format=jpg&name=medium

Ichiro still looks like he could be out there. He still makes leaping catches in the outfield!

last player I truly loved.

I genuinely love him

Julio Rodríguez goes full Cheshire Cat on Fernando Tatis Jr. with this home run robbery.

What a play. pic.twitter.com/qQxFevza1X

— Daniel Kramer (@DKramer_) August 9, 2023

I hate updating this thread cos I feel like I jinx them. JP was out on the IL for ten days with suspected concussion. He’s now cleared protocols and is in rehab and will rejoin the team on Monday. Everyone is rightfully talking about Julio - and I love Julio to death and was irritated with morons on Mariners twitter who wanted him to be optioned during his slump - but JP has been my favourite to watch all year and I’m glad they looked after him!

Amazing, love this

The Mariners are headed to New York City fitted in Run-DMC tracksuits and a message from Rev Run himself.

“Keep reppin. Keep rockin. Keep rollin. Y’all are on fire.”

Check it out from Julio’s IG: pic.twitter.com/bHpmZ7W9ds

— Jake García (@Jake_M_Garcia) August 31, 2023

First 25/25 guy ever for his first two seasons:

https://www.mlb.com/news/julio-rodriguez-collects-25-home-runs-25-stolen-bases-in-2nd-season

Julio was slumping so badly earlier in the year, he’s been absolutely must see. He still chases too much and needs to work on his k rate, but when he’s on it seems like he can hit just about anything.

I really like watching him in the field btw, he makes a lot of highlight reel type plays but his bread and butter are his savvy reads and his speed. Naturally Ichiro has a lot of praise for him.

It’s probably between him and Robert (CWS) for the Gold Glove, Julio has a chance to pick up a silver slugger as well if he has a strong September and assuming the Mariners don’t shit the bed somehow and miss the playoffs, he should also pick up a few MVP votes (obviously not that he’ll win it, but as recognition of how he’s carried this team).

7th last year; without jotting down names, expect he'll do at least as well this year.

Unreal how good he is at such a young age. I complained about his plate discipline but besides that his poise is pretty remarkable for a guy that young.

would have been nice if the Mariners hadn't had such a Mariners-esque collapse, their August was so good that even just regressing to their earlier mediocrity would have guaranteed a playoff spot.

I mean, yeah.

ADMIN WAS NOT WRONG

MARINERS ADMIN FORGOT TO SWITCH ACCOUNTS💀💀💀 pic.twitter.com/IJzICQ7Ucz

— Addison (@YankeeWRLD) October 1, 2023

Everyone on Mariners twitter thinks this is Corey Seager having a dig at Mariners FO for wasting his brother’s career

“To be able to go out and spend some money and get the guys we needed in here, and this is what the reward is.” pic.twitter.com/40H96fnNtw

— Isabelle Minasian (@95coffeespoons) October 1, 2023

missing the playoffs as a favor to the fans

Jerry Dipoto says he operates with a 10-year plan to win 54% of the time.

"We're actually doing the fanbase a favor in asking for their patience to win the World Series while we continue to build a sustainably good roster." pic.twitter.com/EUfd04TsTo

— Jake García (@Jake_M_Garcia) October 3, 2023

Love to tell the only team never to win the World Series to be patient

Never to GET TO *

Adam Smith deciding to drop a thread complaining about the Mariners on the day Congress is electing a new speaker? Art. He’s otm!

To be clear, I am a huge, life long passionate Mariners fan. 47 years. From Rupert Jones to Julio. Post was much more aimed at the incompetence/extremism of McCarthy, Jordan and the entire House R conference. Ms do have issues however. 4 come to mind https://t.co/Fx5i84gBco

— Rep. Adam Smith (@RepAdamSmith) October 25, 2023