Monday, October 12

SEATTLE -- The reflection began even before the Mariners were eliminated, and it gained even more steam this past week as club brass has huddled about the hiring process for its replacement for manager Dan Wilson.

What went so remarkably wrong in 2026, and how do they ensure it does not happen again in '27?

“Trying to parse out blame, collectively we failed,” president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto said. “We failed to play up to our own expectations, which are very high, commensurate with the expectations that were put on us externally. We have a very talented roster. We were [eight] outs away from a World Series 11 months ago, and we just collectively underperformed in every area.”

Here are five questions that the club faces this offseason:

How’s the managerial search coming?

Calls have already begun going out, sources told MLB.com. When interviews could begin taking place could hinge on how the postseason plays out, if the Mariners pursue candidates currently employed by teams still playing.

The most obvious fit -- Guardians manager Stephen Vogt -- is probably the most unlikely on their wish list, given that he is reportedly under contract for 2027. Trades for managers are not unprecedented, and there have been indications that the Mariners would explore this route for Vogt, who was their bullpen coach in 2023 and was slated to be promoted to bench coach in ‘24 before being hired by Cleveland. 

Yet, even with a lofty trade package, it’d be hard to envision a direct American League competitor parting ways with someone who has led the Guardians to three straight division titles and is a two-time AL Manager of the Year Award winner in just three seasons on the job. Vogt is from nearby Olympia, Wash., and makes his home there in the offseason. 

Separately, multiple sources said last week that the Mariners were prepared to pounce on Torey Lovullo, but he re-upped on a two-year contract to return to the Diamondbacks on Wednesday. 

What are the leading criteria that the Mariners are seeking?

Dipoto made it clear that prior MLB managerial experience “would be preferred” but it’s not required.

“Generally speaking, we're just looking for someone who has high character, a growth mindset, has the ability to think strategically in the context of a Major League game when that happens very quickly,” Dipoto said. 

The Mariners, more than anything, want a fresh, external perspective -- and appear willing to be challenged by the newcomer.

“What is culture? It's the standards you're willing to uphold,” Dipoto said. “It's the belief systems you share. It's what you're willing to tolerate. And this year we tolerated an environment where we just didn't live up to our own standards, and that's where we need to reset.”

Why were certain coaches let go but others brought back?

Each of the four who were not retained -- bench coach Manny Acta, infield coach Perry Hill, hitting coach Kevin Seitzer and first-base coach Eric Young Jr. -- fell under the position-player purview.

That’s not to say that their arms had warts, especially in the second half, and pitching coach Pete Woodworth suggested as much during the final homestand. But he and director of pitching strategy Trent Blank will be back, as each is under contract for two more years, sources said. 

“The quality of the programs that they have put together are unquestionably awesome, and those guys communicate incredibly well,” Dipoto said. “Our pitchers love them for what they provide. … We don't want to take three months and use that as the criteria to ruin a program that has been the backbone of what we've done for a decade.”

The Mariners also want to allow the new manager to have some autonomy in rounding out the rest of the staff.

Will clubhouse leaders have a say in the hiring process?

Cal Raleigh, Bryan Woo, Logan Gilbert and Julio Rodríguez are among a handful of key leaders who’ve found their voice. And they have grown far more comfortable speaking up about the club’s competitive direction. 

But that may not be as extensive in this specific scenario.

“That remains to be seen,” Dipoto said. “I think there's also a danger zone there, but they'll be in tune as to what we're doing, and they will give us the feedback that is required to make sure that this is a good fit. But we're not going to ask them to be a part of an interview process.”

Will there also be roster overhaul?

In short, no. 

The Mariners have a few needs this winter -- for bullpen help and an impact right-handed bat -- but the core of the group is here. More than anything, the club’s success next season will hinge on many of them rebounding from career-worst years.

“Multiple of our Major League players who came through our system have referenced what they learned in player development that got abandoned in the big leagues this year,” Dipoto said, “and not just the players who came up for the first time.”

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