Ben Williamson beating Mariners to World Series would add layer of irony to 2026

Ben Williamson isn't necessarily the name Seattle Mariners fans expected to have on their minds this postseason, but here he is, living rent-free in our heads as he inches closer to a World Series with the Tampa Bay Rays. Meanwhile, Mariners fans are left wondering what could have been as October 23rd draws near.

In 2023, the Mariners selected Williamson in the second round of the MLB Draft. He made his major league debut on April 13, 2025, stepping in at third base when Seattle needed him. At the time, he was considered one of the top defensive prospects in the Mariners' farm system, and he went on to start 79 games. However, his time as the team's regular third baseman ended when Seattle acquired Eugenio Suárez at the trade deadline, leaving Williamson without any postseason action in 2025.

When the Seattle Mariners said goodbye to Ben Williamson

Williamson's departure came the following offseason. On February 2, 2026, the Mariners traded him to the Rays in a deal that also brought back outfielder Colton Ledbetter and a Competitive Balance Round B pick in the amateur draft. Those assets were then sent to the St. Louis Cardinals and the end result was super-utility player Brendan Donovan in Seattle with the Mariners.

Donovan was expected to bolster the Mariners' lineup and give the team an offensive boost heading into 2026, helping Seattle build on their success from the previous season.

Unfortunately for Seattle, the move hasn't gone quite as planned. Donovan spent much of the season on the IL thanks to a left groin strain before suffering an unfortunate concussion. While he was productive when available, his time on the field was seriously limited, preventing him from making the impact Seattle hoped for this season.

Meanwhile, Williamson finds himself on the better end of that deal. Rather than watching the postseason from home, he is part of a Rays team that could be on their way to a World Series.

The irony of the Ben Williamson trade for the Mariners

Despite a 2-1 deficit to the Cleveland Guardians in the American League Championship Series, Tampa Bay still has a shot at reaching the Fall Classic. Williamson, once a more unknown piece of Seattle's roster, is now part of a postseason run that the M's would have loved to make themselves.

Williamson has brought value to Tampa Bay since his arrival. He has shown an ability to control the strike zone, avoid chasing pitches, and keep his strikeout rate manageable. Plus, his speed gives him another way to contribute, with eight stolen bases this season.

He does have his limitations, though. With just three home runs, Williamson has struggled to generate power, particularly to his pull side. That limits his slugging potential and makes it harder for Williamson to provide consistent offense. His 2026 slash line stands at .238/.302/.318 for a .620 OPS.

While his offensive production isn't exactly eye-popping, Williamson offers plenty of value elsewhere. His defense, contact skills, and ability to contribute in different ways have helped him remain a useful piece of the roster.

For Mariners fans, though, the numbers might not be the point. The frustrating part is watching a former Seattle Mariner get this close to a World Series after being moved in a trade that was supposed to help the Mariners take the next step in the 2026 season.

Williamson's postseason success doesn't mean the Mariners made the wrong decision. The Donovan trade was about improving the roster, and at the time, something the Mariners truly believed they needed to build on their 2025 success. But if Williamson and the Rays make it to the World Series, the timing of it might be difficult for Mariners fans to ignore.

Seattle moved on from Williamson in hopes of building a better team. Now, he's the one who found himself on a better team, with a chance of making it to a World Series before the team that drafted him.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow