4 former Mariners playing in the 2024 World Series between Yankees and Dodgers

The Seattle Mariners may have not taken the field in a few weeks after missing out on the 2024 postseason, but fans could still have a horse in the race. The New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers are slated to play one another in the World Series beginning on Friday, and if Mariners fans can stomach watching anymore baseball, there are some guys they can root for.

New York and Los Angeles each have two former Mariners who have been competing in the playoffs. We should be happy for these four players, right? Maybe.

Yankees vs Dodgers World Series: Former Mariners appearing in the Fall Classic

Former Mariners on Dodgers: Teoscar Hernandez and Chris Taylor

Among the four former M's remaining in the postseason, Teoscar Hernández was the most productive overall in 2024. After slamming 26 home runs in 2023 with Seattle, Hernández was named to the All-Star Game with the Dodgers this year behind 33 home runs, 99 RBI, and 32 doubles.

Surrounding all this positivity and success, Hernández's agent somehow managed to take a shot at the Mariners along the way. It isn't really the slugger's fault that this happened, but it makes Mariners fans a bit more hesitant to specifically root for him in the World Series.

Hernández has mashed two home runs in 11 postseason games alongside nine walks to generate a .340 on-base percentage. In the series clincher on Sunday, he went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and one RBI to send the Mets packing in the Game 6 victory, which made him quite excited.

Chris Taylor is the other Dodger who once was with the Mariners. Taylor is far-removed from Seattle, however, having last played here in 2016. He's seen plenty of playoff experience since departing from Emerald City, logging 75 postseason games with nine career home runs, a 2017 NLCS MVP, and a World Series ring in 2020.

He was productive in this season's NLCS, going 3-for-11 with two runs, two walks, and a stolen base. He also recorded the final out of the series on a ground ball to him at second base to send Los Angeles back to the World Series for the first time since 2020.

Former Mariners on Yankees: Luke Weaver and Nestor Cortes

Luke Weaver has stolen the hearts of Yankee fans. Weaver has gone from a failed starting pitcher to a guy who was used to clean up the middle innings, to being the go-to reliever and closer for the best team in the American League.

Much of this has to do with an improved changeup, which has seen a vast uptick in swings and misses.

This postseason, Weaver has four saves, one win, and one blown save. Compared to how awful Clay Holmes had been, Yankees fans will definitely take what he has given them so far. His days with Seattle were short, posting a 6.08 ERA in 13 1/3 innings in 2023 before getting DFA'd. The Bronx Bombers claimed him off waivers then signed him as a free agent with little knowledge of the dominance and vibes he would provide for an organization desperate of winning a championship.

In the 2024 regular season, Weaver bolstered a 2.89 ERA in 62 appearances, recording 103 strikeouts with a WHIP under 1.00. Is he Mariano Rivera? Not quite, but he has given this club a ton of hope heading into the World Series.

Nestor Cortes' stint in Seattle was even shorter than Weaver's, but he was still a Mariner regardless. In 2020, he pitched 7 2/3 innings, allowing 13 earned runs before electing for free agency. He has been with New York since then, making the All-Star team once. He hasn't pitched in the 2024 playoffs due to an injury, but he started 30 games for them in the regular season with a 3.77 ERA and has a chance of making the WS roster.

It isn't ideal for Mariners fans, but if they need something to hang their hat on for the World Series, they can quietly root for the four guys who once had to deal with the incompetence of the Mariners' front office and ownership. It's something to keep us busy for a week.