THE FRONT ROW with JASON ELLIOTT: A lot of blame to go around in Seattle

In late March, everyone was destined for the World Series, right? 

Especially that team in Washington, which was just a few outs from getting there in 2025. 

There was momentum, excitement, and a buzz surrounding the ballclub in Seattle. 

As it turns out, that buzz was most likely the sound of something about to be blown up. 

THERE IS plenty of blame to go around for this past season for those lovable Mariners. 

Blame Cal Raleigh. 

In his defense, Raleigh wasn’t going to mash another 60-plus home runs this year and be the feared bat in that lineup he was in 2025. 

Maybe it was the World Baseball Classic, when instead of playing, he sat. 

Once the season started, Cal struggled. 

Then, he got hurt and missed more time. 

I know, excuses, right? 

He’s paid a ton of money to play baseball, and when he’s not, it hurts the team. 

Blame Julio Rodriguez. 

Seattle has been searching for the next Ken Griffey, Jr. In center field since they traded him all those years ago to Cincinnati. 

Sure, Julio has been far and above the best outfielder to roam the grass at T-Mobile Park since Ichiro Suzuki was a part of the franchise. 

But, at times, Julio didn’t get those clutch hits. 

He didn’t make those super catches that kept runs off the scoreboard at times. 

So, blame him too. 

Blame JP Crawford. 

Crawford, like Raleigh, has battled a lot of injury problems this year.  

He’d only played 108 games entering Friday's game at Colorado. 

And don’t forget, there was a bit of an experiment where Crawford was playing third base for a while in order to get Colt Emerson a few reps at shortstop. 

No doubt that threw Crawford for a bit of a loop; though, he’s making a ton of money to play the game. 

YOU CAN also blame some dysfunction in the Mariners starting rotation if you’d like. 

Seattle started the season with six legitimate starters, with guys like Bryan Woo, Logan Gilbert, George Kirby and Luis Castillo candidates to get the ball on opening day anywhere else in the league. 

Woo got it this year in Seattle. 

Things got so out of whack, that at one point Castillo and Bryce Miller were thrown into an odd piggyback rotation where one started, and the other relieved him, no matter how good the other was pitching. 

Kind of reminds me of watching some Little League team somewhere that has a pitcher throwing a gem, and you bring in a replacement because his dad is complaining in the stands. 

Well, maybe not. 

Blame the pitching staff.

Unfortunately, the blame is going to fall on manager Dan Wilson. 

Does he deserve it? Probably. 

Then again, Wilson wasn’t the guy behind the plate catching the ball.  

Or the one that grounded out with the bases loaded to end a late rally. 

No, Wilson was never going to be like Lou Pinella, who you knew was going to tell the team how it was going when they were struggling in May, June or July. Or now, when they’re losing games to the Los Angeles Angels that are must-win games. 

WHEN THIS season ends, probably sooner than later, the Mariners are going to spend some time searching for answers to just what went wrong in 2026. 

Blame me for believing this might have been the year. 

It sure looked like it was in March.

Jason Elliott is a sports writer for The Press. He can be reached by telephone at 208-664-8176, Ext. 1206 or via email at [email protected]. Follow him on ‘X’, formerly Twitter @JECdAPress.