Changes hit the Mariners coaching staff like a freight train yesterday, wiping out a lot of familiar faces after a flat-out disappointing 2026 season. But here’s the kicker: pitching coaches Pete Woodworth and Trent Blank? They’re still here, even though our rotation absolutely fell apart down the stretch, posting the worst WAR in baseball. Seriously, the worst.
The Culture Reset and a Defense That Hurt Everyone
Jerry Dipoto didn’t pull any punches, calling for a “culture reset” for our beloved Mariners. He was blunt, saying the big-league club somehow lost touch with the organizational principles preached in the minor leagues. It’s not just some front office talk either; multiple major league players who came up through our system straight up said what they learned in player development just got abandoned once they hit the big show. Even veterans who’d been around saw the difference.
And let’s be real, the defense was a nightmare. Dipoto himself expressed “particular consternation” about it, and for good reason: we were the worst defensive team in baseball from start to finish, never getting better. That’s not just violating the vision of “crisp, efficient Mariners baseball,” it also put a massive strain on our pitchers. How can a staff that attacks the strike zone succeed when the guys behind them aren’t making plays? That lack of range and positioning totally harmed our starters, forcing them to throw more, make more pitches, and probably get more frustrated.
Dipoto’s Bet on “Goodness Over Time” for the Pitching Staff
So, why keep Woodworth and Blank when the pitching also underperformed, especially late in the season? Dipoto’s belief in the Mariners pitching philosophy and in these two coaches is ironclad. He pointed to their “past performance,” highlighting their “goodness over time” and the “unquestionably awesome” quality of their pitching programs. He wasn’t kidding either; from 2021 until mid-season 2026, we were consistently one of the top three or four pitching staffs in MLB, one through 13. That’s a huge track record of success, allowing all 13 members of our staff to consistently perform.
Dipoto’s message was clear: you don’t trash a program that’s been the “backbone” of what we’ve done for a decade just because of a three-month slump. He acknowledged some big “communication issues” across the organization too, from the front office to the clubhouse. But he’s betting Woodworth and Blank are the right guys to fix those breakdowns on the pitching side and get us back to what we know works.
What’s Next for Our M’s
With a clean house and a new manager coming in to install their own staff (except for the pitching crew!), the pressure is on. This is a massive vote of confidence for Woodworth and Blank. We need to see that “Mariners baseball process” back on the field, especially with the defense stepping up so our pitchers can truly shine. We want to see those dominant arms we know are capable of shutting down the league. The season just started, and this decision is a statement: the pitching philosophy is here to stay. Let’s see if it pays off.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Lookout Landing.
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