Alright, Seattle, let’s not sugarcoat it: ESPN just dropped its final report card for the 2026 MLB season, and our Mariners got an F. Yeah, an “F” as in failure, as in what the heck happened out there? After a regular season that was supposed to deliver some real fireworks, this grade is a total gut punch, and frankly, we deserve so much better.
The Bottom of the Barrel, Seriously?
The Mariners finished with one of the worst grades in baseball, right there alongside the Angels and Giants, who also earned F’s. It’s a pretty rough club to be in. While other teams dramatically outperformed expectations, like the White Sox grabbing an A, we’re left scratching our heads wondering what went wrong. The New York Mets, for example, also got a D- despite entering the year ranked sixth in preseason projections with a projected 92-70 record, only to be plagued by injuries and disappointing performances. It shows just how far off the mark some teams were, and unfortunately, we were one of them. Seeing our beloved M’s down there, a stone’s throw from teams like the Athletics and Reds who landed D- and D grades, is just heartbreaking.
What ‘A+’ Looks Like (And Why It Hurts)
While we’re staring at an F, let’s just briefly look at what an actual successful season looks like, just to add a little salt to the wound. The Milwaukee Brewers earned an A+ after setting a franchise record for wins and putting up an impressive season, especially since they started the year 11th in ESPN’s preseason power rankings. The Tampa Bay Rays also grabbed an A+ after clinching the AL’s best record. Think about that for a second: the AL’s *best record*. That’s the kind of performance that has fans dreaming, the kind that makes you believe in your team. Atlanta and the Chicago White Sox both pulled off A grades, too, with the White Sox massively outperforming what anyone expected. Even the Dodgers, who approached 100 wins, only got a B+ because their success was basically just meeting expectations. Can you even imagine “just meeting expectations” for our Mariners right now?
A Glimmer, But the Overall Picture Stings
Look, it wasn’t all bad every single second. There were moments. I remember seeing us pull off a 6-5 win against the Houston Astros at some point this season. It shows what our guys, what Cal Raleigh and Julio Rodriguez, are capable of when things click. But a single win, no matter how sweet against a rival, can’t erase an entire season that ultimately got slapped with a failing grade. This final report card makes it clear: the 2026 season was a huge disappointment for our Mariners, and for every single fan in the Emerald City who bleeds green and blue. What’s at stake now? Everything. We need to look forward, demand better, and hope that next season, this team comes out swinging with a vengeance. Our expectations are always sky-high, and seeing this F grade just fuels the fire for a redemption tour.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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