The Seattle Mariners are sitting at a gut-wrenching 64-70 right now, a record that puts them way under .500, even in an American League that’s wide open. We’re just a couple of games back of the AL West-leading Houston Astros, who are at 67-67, so yeah, a division title is still technically within reach. But here’s the kicker, the one that’s got me seeing red: Sports Illustrated’s Karl Rasmussen is out there saying Dan Wilson could get fired if the M’s miss the postseason this year. Seriously? This would be a massive, monumental mistake, and it absolutely wouldn’t be Wilson’s fault.
The Guy Who Took Us To The Brink
Let’s rewind for a second, okay? This isn’t some rookie manager who just showed up. Dan Wilson took the reins at the tail end of the 2024 season, and what did he do? He led the team to a solid 21-13 finish. That’s a strong start. Then came 2025. Remember that? He coached the Mariners to a breathtaking 90-72 record. We were ONE win away from the World Series, battling it out with the Toronto Blue Jays! One stinking win! That team, under Wilson, made it further than any other Mariners team in franchise history. Think about that for a second. Franchise history. If we’d just beaten the Jays, he would’ve been an instant legend in the Emerald City, cemented forever. To even suggest that the man who brought us *that* close to the promised land is on the chopping block now? It’s just wild.
Blame The Game, Not The Manager
Look, I get it. This year, 2026, has been incredibly disappointing after coming so close last year. Nobody is happy with 64-70. But Rasmussen hit the nail on the head: it’s not Wilson’s fault. The M’s have been absolutely slammed with injuries to key players, and yeah, we’ve seen struggles from guys like Cal Raleigh, among others. Those are the real, impactful reasons why this 2026 season has gone sideways. Is Wilson completely blameless? He’s the manager, so sure, he carries some of that weight. But to fire him, to walk away from a guy who proved he can lead this team to historic heights, after a season plagued by factors mostly out of his control? That’s just short-sighted. It would undo all the progress, all the hope he brought.
The Mariners *have* to give Dan Wilson one more shot with this squad in 2027, even if they end up missing the postseason this year. He earned the benefit of the doubt. He brought us to the doorstep of the World Series. We can’t just throw that away because of an injury-riddled season and some tough individual performances. The future of this team, the dream of hoisting that trophy, it still feels real with Wilson at the helm. Let’s make the right call here.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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