Mariners' Quest Continues: Can Cal Raleigh and Company Finally Break Through?
The Seattle Mariners are back and hungry. After finishing 90-72 and winning the AL West last season, they fell one game short of the World Series when Toronto bounced them in Game 7 of the ALCS. Yeah, that stings. But this roster is reloaded and ready to take another run at it, especially with the best catcher in baseball leading the charge.
Cal Raleigh is Playing a Different Game
Let's talk about the elephant in the room: Cal Raleigh just had the season of his life. The 29-year-old hit 60 homers, a record for any catcher and for any switch-hitter, while driving in 125 runs across 159 games with a .948 OPS. Yeah, Aaron Judge still took home the MVP, but Raleigh finished second and honestly, find a better value at the catcher position. That kind of production from behind the plate? You don't see it.
The Roster Shuffle
Dan Wilson's crew made some smart moves over the offseason. They let third baseman Eugenio Suarez walk but grabbed infielder Brendan Donovan in a trade. The 29-year-old just finished his first All-Star campaign with a .775 OPS and 10 home runs across 118 games, and he's versatile enough to play all over the infield and outfield. That flexibility matters.
First baseman Josh Naylor is locked in long term too. The 28-year-old Canadian hit nine homers in just 54 games after the trade deadline and signed a five-year, $92.5 million deal to stay in Seattle. He's got two seasons with an .800-plus OPS and has already shown he can hit 30 homers.
The pitching staff still has some serious arms. RHP Luis Castillo carries the biggest luxury tax load at $21.6 million, while Bryan Woo, Logan Gilbert, and the relievers like Andres Muñoz and Gabe Speier anchor the rotation and bullpen.
The Mission
The Mariners are the only current team that's never even appeared in a World Series. That's the elephant. They came so close last year. With Raleigh playing at an MVP level, Naylor committed long term, and Donovan adding depth, this team has the pieces to make another deep run. Jerry Dipoto and the front office are betting on it.
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This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.