Seattle, WA

Morosi: Starting to feel like Seattle Mariners' season 'slipping away'

Published

1 year ago

August 16, 2024

Press Room

Morosi: Starting to feel like Seattle Mariners' season 'slipping away'

The demoralizing losses just keep piling up for the Seattle Mariners.

Video: Mariners Breakdown — How much trouble are the M’s in?

Heading into the All-Star break, the Mariners lost three consecutive one-run games to the lowly Los Angeles Angels. One week later, they got swept by that same Angels team while mustering a total of just three runs in the three-game series.

Last week, they needed a stunning ninth-inning rally to avoid a sweep against the sub-.500 Detroit Tigers. And then against those same Tigers this week, Seattle did get swept – while totaling just four runs and nine hits in the three games.

The past two losses to Detroit were particularly brutal. On Wednesday night, Mariners starter Bryan Woo threw seven scoreless innings before the bullpen blew an eighth-inning lead and Seattle went on to lose 3-2 in the 10th. And it was déjà vu on Thursday, as Mariners starter Bryce Miller also spun seven scoreless frames before the bullpen blew an eighth-inning lead in a 2-1 loss. It marked the fourth time since the start of July that the Mariners have lost a game despite allowing two runs or fewer.

To make matters worse, the Houston Astros have won eight in a row to build a three-game lead over Seattle atop the American League West. The Mariners are also 3.5 games out of the AL’s final wild-card spot. According to Fangraphs, Seattle’s playoff odds have dropped to 32.6%.

Following the Mariners’ latest loss, MLB insider Jon Morosi joined Seattle Sports’ Wyman and Bob on Thursday to discuss the reeling M’s.

“It encapsulates the reasons why people have been so concerned about this team,” Morosi said of the Mariners’ disastrous series in Detroit. “The pitching is so great, it really is. … (But) when you’re three games back in the division behind a team that’s hot and you’re losing games like this to a team that’s out of it, these are the days that, if they accumulate, they can become the death knell of a team in terms of going for a postseason berth.”

The dichotomy between Seattle’s elite starting rotation and struggling offense has been the story all season.

The Mariners have an MLB-best 3.46 ERA, which is 0.26 better than any other team. But the M’s rank at or near the bottom of the league in nearly every major offensive statistical category, including 27th in runs per game (3.94) and dead-last in batting average (.216).

“They don’t have a (player) who is having a star season in the whole lineup,” Morosi said. “Not one. No one’s having a what I would describe as a great offensive year. If you look at OPS, among all players on this team that have at least 100 plate appearances, the best offensive player on this team is Victor Robles. He’s got a .761 OPS. … If you’ve got a team and you believe you have a chance to go to the playoffs, and not a single one of your regular players has an OPS above .800, you’re probably not going to win.”

The Julio void

The Mariners’ offensive woes have been team-wide, but one of the defining storylines of the season has been superstar Julio Rodríguez’s struggles.

Over the past two seasons, Rodríguez burst onto the scene as one of baseball’s brightest young stars, slashing a combined .279/.338/.495 with 60 home runs and an .834 OPS. But this year, his production has been a far cry from that. He is hitting .263/.313/.371 with just 11 homers and a .684 OPS.

Rodríguez was heating up in July, but landed on the injured list with a high-ankle sprain after crashing into the outfield wall in an attempt to catch a fly ball on July 21. He returned to the lineup as Seattle’s designated hitter last Sunday but has yet to return to center field.

“They gave him a massive contract to basically be the face of the franchise, and he’s been hurt and not himself from a productivity standpoint really all year,” Morosi said. “If he had a 30-30 (homers-steals) season, they’d be in first place right now by three games. They would. And it’s not Julio’s fault. I’m not blaming him. … (But) I think that’s where the Mariners find themselves right now. They are waiting for the big guys to show up. And as the the old expression goes, it’s getting late early.”

The Mariners have also been missing leadoff-hitting shortstop J.P. Crawford, who broke the pinky finger on his throwing hand when he was hit by a pitch on July 22. He is expected to remain on the injured list until September.

“J.P. is still on the IL and Julio is not himself,” Morosi said. “As I’ve watched this team play, I’ve continued trying to to talk myself into believing that the next good turn is right around the corner – that Julio getting back and whenever J.P. comes back and different things like that, the next good stretch is just around the bend.

“But now the Astros – who have all this know-how of how to win games this time of year – are three games ahead of you. And it’s all starting to feel like it’s slipping away.”

Listen to full conversation at this link or in the audio player near the top of this story. MLB insider Jon Morosi joins Seattle Sports’ Wyman and Bob on Thursdays for a national perspective on the Mariners.

More on the Seattle Mariners

• Mariners’ power-hitting prospect is climbing up the rankings
• Salk: Should Julio Rodríguez take a page out of Randy Arozarena’s book?
• Passan’s view on ‘unprecedented’ extension for Mariners’ Victor Robles
• Watch: Mariners’ top prospect has memorable home debut in Everett
• Inside the connections Victor Robles has made in Seattle Mariners’ clubhouse

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Seattle, WA

Paul Arriola, Pedro de la Vega and the Seattle Sounders return in ‘Avengers: Doomsday’

Published

10 hours ago

January 10, 2026

Press Room

Paul Arriola, Pedro de la Vega and the Seattle Sounders return in ‘Avengers: Doomsday’

Forgotten. Absent. Inconsistently healthy. Weights of expectation.

These heroes offered glimpses and scenes of their greatness in 2025.

Paul Arriola, X Man

Paul Arriola gave us a glimpse of his former greatness before his injury. Once a DP, once the highest value transfer within MLS, once recruited to skip MLS entirely for what was at the time a much better league, Arriola’s all comps contributions per 90 would compare to wingback style players Jordi Alba and the now-gone Ali Ahmed.

Arriola slides right in that space, with his 0.57. Now, a discerning reader such as yourself will imagine small sample sizes and opponent quality. You would be correct. But Paul also put up similar numbers in MLS in 2018, 2021 and 2022. His time in MLS as a whole is .40/90 (in the realm of last season’s Christian Espinoza).

Defining Arriola’s role is always going to be hard. He’s played as many wide roles as exist in the modern game. With Seattle, he could be a left or right winger in a four-front if they choose to run a 3-2-4-1, or a wingback in a 3-4-2-1 or a conventional winger in a 4-2-3-1. No matter his role, he’s been strong. His calls to the US National Team ran every year from age 20-27, when he put up better numbers there than he did in league play. He’s now 30.

Pedro de la Vega, the injury saga

Sounders fans know how bright Pedro can burn. So do, Lanus fans, Argentina fans, Cruz Azul fans, Santos Laguna fans, Tijuana fans, Puebla, Galaxy, Inter Messi and a smattering of other MLS teams. The Leagues Cup player of the year and wonder goal nominee is absolutely thrilling, when available.

Lanus, Argentina and Seattle also know his history of injuries. Injuries are why he’s in Seattle.

PdlV only played 41% of available minutes in all competitions. A healthy winger of his quality should be around 66% or so. His absolutely stellar all comps performance of 0.72 is on par with Hany Mukhtar, at 20th in MLS play. Pedro is ahead of Diego Rossi, Djordje Mihailovic, and Dejan Joveljić.

When you think about how the Seattle Sounders will make up ground for the inevitable decline of Danny Musovski the names Arriola and de la Vega should be bandied about.

They weren’t merely better than the people who replaced them on the Sounders – they’re better than the majority of high-profile players in the league.

In 2025 Craig Waibel raised the floor and the peak. Injuries gave us only a few glimpses of that peak.

2026 is when the multi-competition heroic Sounders can once again show their prowess and why their presence as a top tier club is eternal.

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Catching up on Sounder at Heart

Here’s what you missed on the site this week.

Sounders

Next match: Sunday, February 22, 2026 v. the Colorado Rapids | 6 p.m. PT | Apple TV/FS1

Reign

Schedule to come next week.

Defiance

Schedule to come.

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Seattle, WA

Here’s why the Blue Angels in Seattle on Monday

Published

22 hours ago

January 10, 2026

Press Room

Here’s why the Blue Angels in Seattle on Monday

SEATTLE – Known for their high-flying skills above the skies during air shows, the Blue Angels will be in Seattle once again on Monday.

But with Seafair not until the summer, many are wondering why the Navy pilots are in the Emerald City ahead of schedule.

Blue Angels F/A-18 Hornets are flying The Diamond Roll (four planes in formation), doing a 360-degree roll as one unit, flying at 400 mph over Lake Washington for the Seafair weekend in Seattle. (Photo by Wolfgang Kaehler/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Keep reading to find out why the U.S. Navy Blue Angels are in Seattle on Jan. 12.

Why are the Blue Angels in Seattle now?

The Blue Angels returned to Seattle on Monday to begin preseason planning for the 2026 Boeing Seafair Air Show.

Pilots will assess airshow locations, scouting the skies and getting familiar with the landscape ahead of the Seafair Weekend Festival, when they perform in three separate air shows. Their visit brings the iconic Blue Angels F/A-18 Super Hornets to the city, the aircraft pilots use during the air show.

Blue Angels pilots plan to stay in Seattle until Tuesday, coordinating with Seafair event organizers. Last year, only two Blue Angels pilots were in Seattle for preseason planning, instead of the entire squadron.

When are the Blue Angels coming back to Seattle?

The Blue Angels will fly back to western Washington for the 2026 Boeing Seafair Air Show, on Friday, July 31 – Sunday, August 2, 2026.

They’ll also be in town for two practice runs on Thursday, July 30.

When is the 2026 Seafair Air Show?

The U.S. Navy Blue Angels will perform in three air shows throughout Seafair weekend. They’re happening each afternoon on July 31 through Aug. 2 on Lake Washington and at Genesee Park.

The multi-day Seafair Weekend Festival also includes the Apollo Mechanical Cup Hydroplane Races, along with live entertainment, food and drinks, and family-friendly activities. Tickets for the festival go on sale in February.

Who are the Blue Angels?

The Blue Angels is a team of elite Navy flight demonstrators, showcasing their aviation skills in high-speed, precision aerobatic performances.

They perform in air shows across the U.S. each year, with the goal of inspiring a culture of excellence and service to country, displaying the teamwork and professionalism of the United States Navy and Marine Corps.

Formed in 1946, this year marks the 80th year of the Blue Angels. They take pride in performing for audiences both at home and abroad, showcasing the excitement, precision, and power of Naval aviation.

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The Source: Information in this story came from U.S. Navy Blue Angels, Seafair, and FOX 13 Seattle reporting.

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Seattle, WA

Seattle Seahawks land 2 players on list of potential salary cap cuts in 2026

Published

1 day ago

January 9, 2026

Press Room

Seattle Seahawks land 2 players on list of potential salary cap cuts in 2026

No matter how the playoffs go for the Seatte Seahawks, general manager John Schneider and his team are looking at a very busy offseason ahead.

In addition to their usual preparations for the 2026 NFL draft, Seattle has a ton of important players who are about to become unrestricted free agents. That list includes special teams superstar Rashid Shaheed, running back Ken Walker and defensive standouts Boye Mafe, Riq Woolen and Coby Bryant.

It’s going to be really difficult to keep that entire group together, even with a lot of cap space projected to be open in 2026. The Seahawks may have to create room with some salary cap casualties after the season is over.

On that note, Over the Cap has listed a pair of Seattle players as potential cap casualties. Let’s review both of them.

OLB Uchenna Nwosu

Dec 18, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Los Angeles Rams running back Blake Corum (22) dives for a touchdown against Seattle Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (7) in the second half at Lumen Field. | Kevin Ng-Imagn Images

Coming in at No. 46 on OTC’s list is veteran edge rusher Uchenna Nwosu, who has one year remaining on his contract with a cap hit just over $20 million. Nwosu has been valuable when he’s on the field but he’s also missed a ton of time due to injuries and it will be difficult to justify his cap hit with so many other players to pay.

Seattle can save a little over $11.5 million if they cut Nwosu, before June 1 or after. However, they would also take on a dead money hit north of $8.5 million, which takes a lot of the flavor out of those cap savings.

In 45 games with the Seahawks, Nwosu has tallied 19.5 sacks, 52 QB hits, 24 tackles for a loss, five forced fumbles and eight pass breakups.

That’s a lot of good production across the board as an all-around defender, but he’ll turn 30 years old before next season is over and there are a lot of mouths to feed for Mike Macdonald’s defense.

Over the Cap projects there’s a 58.5% chance that the Seahawks will wind up cutting him. Our best guess is that will be the case, especially if they want to pursue someone like Maxx Crosby on the trade market.

K Jason Myers

Jan 3, 2026; Santa Clara, California, USA; Seattle Seahawks place kicker Jason Myers (5) kicks a field goal against the San Francisco 49ers during the second half at Levi’s Stadium. | Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images

The only other Seahawks player who made the list (at No. 77) was placekicker Jason Myers, where the team has an interesting choice to make.

Myers has been around since the 2019 season and he’s come through for them more often than not. In 117 games he’s converted 200 of 232 field goal attempts, coming out to 86.2%. On extra point attempts he’s gone 292/307 for 95.1%.

Those are very solid numbers for an NFL kicker, and when you have a solid option at this position you don’t mess with it.

Another factor working in Myers’ favor is that Seattle really can’t save all that much money by cutting him. According to OTC’s numbers the Seahawks would create $5.1 million in cap room by cutting him, with a dead money hit of $1,875,000.

Five million might get Seattle a decent backup for their interior offensive line, or another contributor to Mike Macdonald’s defense. It’s not enough to really move the needle for this roster, though.

OTC gives it a 52.5% chance that Myers will get cut, but we don’t see that happening. If they want to lower his cap hit, the Seahawks can create a little over $3 million for 2026 with an extension. That’s the only move they should be looking to make at this spot.