Dan Wilson's baffling treatment of Lazaro Montes, Michael Arroyo should seal his fate

Dan Wilson is likely gone after this season in Seattle. If his inability to take responsibility for the Mariner's disappointing 2026 season hasn't already sealed his fate, his handling of Lazaro Montes and Michael Arroyo certainly should.

With Seattle's season coming to a slow and painful end, there is no reason for the Mariners' two young bats to spend so much time watching from the bench. Wilson has even talked about giving both players opportunities. According to Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times, he acknowledged what the two of them have shown at the plate and wants them to get chances.

“In some ways what Laz and Michael have shown is they can put up really good at-bats here early on,” Wilson said. “Hopefully we can give them a chance for them to play a little bit. Some of our guys have been grinding through it. So all that to weigh as we go forward.”

Dan Wilson says one thing about the Mariners' 2 young guns, but does another

Hopefully? What exactly is Wilson waiting for?

Arroyo has appeared in only 10 games since his debut on September 6, but has made the most of them. He's hitting .318/.407/.545 with a home run and three RBI in 27 plate appearances. Montes has also shown serious promise, posting a .761 OPS, four home runs, and 10 RBI in 46 plate appearances. Yet he has started just 10 games since his call-up on September 1.

Giving the young guys more playing time would have accomplished two things. First, it would have allowed them to get valuable major-league experience, something necessary for two players who could end up being important pieces of the Mariners lineup later on. Second, it would have given some of the Mariners' injured and worn-down veterans the opportunity to rest.

Instead, Wilson continues pushing forward with a lineup that had shown serious limitations. And while Jerry Dipoto's time in Seattle has also been called into question, this is not something to blame on the front office.

The front office does help assemble the roster, but Wilson controls the lineup. As the end of the season loomed, Wilson should have shifted his focus toward getting the younger players more playing time.

If anything, it could have given the Mariners new life in some way. Instead, Seattle is watching its season disappear with a barely a fight, and it's hard to imagine things going much worse with two promising young bats in the lineup.

Daniel Kramer of MLB.com recently noted that with the season winding down, the priority should be giving younger players as many valuable reps as possible before the season ends. That is what should be happening in Seattle right now, but is not.

If the M's were still fighting for a playoff spot, Wilson's decision would make more sense, but at this point it is all but over. If Montes and Arroyo were struggling at the plate, there might be an argument for limiting their playing time, but the numbers say otherwise. They are producing, and gaining experience while doing so.

There are concerns about the Mariners future, and the best way to address those concerns is by showing what the future might have to offer. Right now, it seems increasingly likely that Montes and Arroyo could be a part of that future. Dan Wilson, however, may not be. If the odds weren't already against him, his handling of the Mariners' young bats certainly isn't helping his case.

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