4 obvious changes the Mariners must make immediately to avoid disaster

The Seattle Mariners have managed to tread water through the first month of the 2025 season, hovering just above .500 despite a roster that’s been anything but stable.

With injuries piling up and some roles still unsettled, the Mariners have relied on grit, timely hitting, and the occasionally strong pitching to stay in the mix. They’re finding ways to win — particularly in tight games — and deserve credit for weathering the early turbulence.

However, nearly every game feels like a coin flip. The margin for error is razor-thin, and while the Mariners have come out on the right side of several nail-biters, that kind of luck rarely holds up across a full season.

To avoid slipping from contention, this team needs to make a few critical adjustments. Here are four obvious changes the Mariners must make now to stay competitive and prevent an early-season collapse.

It’s time for the Mariners to move J.P. Crawford to the leadoff spot

The Mariners might be sitting on an easy lineup fix — and it starts with J.P. Crawford. After a brutal start to the season where he was mired in a slump that had his batting average sitting under the Mendoza Line, Crawford has quietly caught fire at the plate. Over the course of his last eight games, he’s raised his batting average nearly 100 points, climbing from .163 to .260. More importantly, he’s getting on base at a .400 clip this season.

It made sense to have Crawford in the nine-hole when Victor Robles was healthy and operating as a spark plug. But with Robles sidelined and the Mariners rotating Dylan Moore and Julio Rodríguez at the top of the order based on matchups, an opportunity has opened — and Crawford would be the right fit.

Unlike Moore, who can be streaky, or Rodríguez, whose profile plays better in the two or three-hole, Crawford offers on-base stability where it's a righty or a lefty on the mound. He’s shown an ability to grind out at-bats, spoil pitches, and draw walks — traits you want setting the tone early. He may not have elite speed, but what he lacks on the basepaths, he more than makes up for in consistency, plate discipline, and a growing confidence at the dish.

If Seattle is serious about manufacturing offense and creating more traffic ahead of its middle-of-the-order hitters, bumping Crawford to the leadoff spot could be the underrated tweak that helps stabilize the offense.

Ben Williamson has earned a full-time role at third base

If the Mariners are looking for stability at the hot corner, they might not need to look any further than Ben Williamson.

Since making his MLB debut, Williamson has played in just nine games — but he’s already holding his own. The rookie is slashing an impressive .303/.361/.424, with one home run, three RBIs, and a level of maturity at the plate that’s been a pleasant surprise. While his glove was always considered his calling card, his bat is also turning heads early on.

Williamson has recorded at least one hit in seven of his first nine games, including a standout three-hit performance against the Red Sox on April 23. He’s not just making contact — he’s delivering competitive at-bats, showing the kind of poise and approach that’s rare for a player who was just drafted to the majors in 2023.

Defensively, there’s no doubt about his capability. He’s already made multiple standout plays that affirm his reputation as a plus defender. But the offensive consistency he’s showing? That’s what’s making this an easy decision for the ballclub.

This isn’t a case of a young prospect needing protection. Williamson is showing that he can stand on his own — and perhaps even thrive — as an everyday third baseman. Manager Dan Wilson would be wise to take note and stop treating third base as a revolving door.

The Mariners need to rethink Trent Thornton’s role

At some point, tough decisions have to be made — and for the Mariners, one of those decisions needs to involve Trent Thornton’s role out of the bullpen.

Thornton’s 2025 campaign has been rocky at best, and downright disastrous in late-inning situations. Through 10.2 innings of work, he’s surrendered 11 hits, four home runs, and seven earned runs, ballooning his ERA to 5.91. It’s not just the stat line that’s concerning — it’s when the damage is happening. More often than not, it’s in the moments that matter most.

With a 3.4 HR/9 rate, Thornton is struggling to keep the ball in the park — a dangerous trait for any reliever, let alone one being handed leverage innings. For Mariners fans, the unease is becoming familiar. When Thornton jogs in from the bullpen late in a game, it’s time to close your eyes.

This isn’t about giving up on him — it’s about situational awareness. Thornton may still have value as a middle-innings option, especially against certain matchups. But asking him to preserve narrow leads  — or worse, escape traffic in high-pressure moments? That’s no longer a gamble this team can afford.

If Wilson wants to avoid losing winnable games late, the solution is clear: stop using Thornton in high-leverage roles until the trust returns.

The Mariners need to figure out what to do with Donovan Solano

When the Seattle Mariners signed Donovan Solano, the expectation was that he’d offer versatility, veteran poise, and dependable at-bats off the bench. But nearly a month into the season, it’s fair to ask: Where exactly does he actually fit?

Solano has primarily been used as a pinch hitter or a platoon option at first base when a lefty is on the mound. But neither role seems to be doing him any favors. His defense at first base has looked shaky at best, and his offensive rhythm is non-existent. Without consistent playing time or a defined role, Solano is struggling to gain any traction. And the numbers paint a bleak picture.

Through 16 games, Solano owns a brutal .079/.100/.079 slash line with just three hits in 38 at-bats and 13 strikeouts. His -0.7 WAR only further confirms the eye test — right now, he’s not helping the Mariners win games.

This isn’t necessarily about effort or intention. Solano has long been known as a solid professional hitter, capable of making adjustments and providing depth. But when a player is bouncing between sporadic starts and pinch-hit cameos, it’s hard to expect much rhythm — especially from a veteran whose game thrives on timing and feel.

Unless Wilson and the front office can carve out a consistent role for him — whether that’s at first, DH, or as a right-handed utility bat — the Mariners are running the risk of wasting a roster spot on a player who hasn’t found his footing. And if that continues, the 37-year-old veteran could find himself off the roster before the team even has a chance to find out if he had anything left in the tank.

Look, there’s no promise the Mariners will make any of these moves — but they should. Williamson feels like the easiest call, but all four are changes that could give this team the spark it needs. Wilson doesn’t have to overhaul the roster, just make smarter use of the pieces he already has. Because if the M’s keep playing with fire, eventually they’ll get burned.