3 biggest question marks for Seattle Mariners 1/3 of the way through the 2024 season

This team is full of question marks. Has anyone really stepped up and answered some of the biggest question marks coming into 2024? Sure, Josh Rojas and Dylan Moore have shown that, at least, they are some of the best super utility players in baseball, deserving of 400-500 plate appearances each year. On the flip side, they have had even more question marks arise from the disappointing starts to the 2024 season.

As the 2024 Trade Deadline approaches and all of the trade rumors start to swirl, the tough questions need to be asked. Certain players need to be sent away for the betterment of the team (similar to Paul Sewald at the 2023 MLB Trade Deadline). But, at the same time, this doesn't fall completely on the players as ownership needs to be willing to finally commit to the franchise spending and willing to compete with the top 10 payrolls in baseball, giving Dipoto and Hollander all of the flexibility they need to build a championship contender.

3 big question marks for the Mariners through 1/3 of the 2024 season

Where will the production come from?

This is without a doubt the biggest question mark of the 2024 Seattle Mariners. As things stand here on May 28th, the Seattle Mariners rank 22nd in wRC+ (96), 27th in runs scored, they have the fourth lowest on-base percentage, fourth lowest batting average, and the highest strikeout rate in MLB, despite their best efforts to improve upon that number.

Their offense has been, at best, a top-20 unit in the game, and that is just terrible when you consider some of the names in this lineup. Guys like Julio Rodriguez, Cal Raleigh, JP Crawford, Mitch Garver, and Jorge Polanco are all guys that should be producing, yet are all right at or below the major league average in wRC+ for their positions.

At some point, changes have to be made, no matter how dramatic they are. This team needs to find production and find it fast. The best thing for the Mariners is for these four to get back to their career norms and become the players that they have shown they can be (15-20% better than league-average players).

As this team continues to struggle, the question of where the production will come from will continue to be asked. Like Josh Rojas heating up, and really cooling off recently, have shown us, those guys aren't going to come out of nowhere with a four-win season. It is up to this team's sluggers and stars to step up and carry this team to a playoff berth (and hopefully a division title).