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

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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).

Who will step up in the bullpen? Or, do they need to go get help?

What has been bar far the most consistent and elite part of Mariners teams over the last few years seemed like it only got better heading into 2024. A core of Andres Munoz, Matt Brash along with solid mid-leverage options like Gabe Speier and Taylor Saucedo, added one of the youngest relievers with elite upside in Gregory Santos.

Unfortunately, the Mariners were dealt two pretty big blows when news came out that Brash and Santos would be on the injured list to start the year. There is still hope that Santos will return this summer, but the Mariners will have to piece it together without Brash (who underwent Tommy John). Dipoto responded by adding former rival, Ryne Stanek, to the bullpen to give Scott Servais even more options.

While Andres Munoz has been one of the best relievers in baseball, he is also on pace to throw nearly 70 innings this year (his career high is 65 in 2022, and threw just 45 in 2023). This is a lot to place on Munoz and we saw down the stretch last year how overuse can really catch up with them pretty quickly.

This begs the question, who will be the guy to step up to be the other high leverage option for Servais? The likely candidates are Gabe Speier or Ryne Stanek. Both have been up and down but possess the elite stuff to fill that void. In an average bullpen, they are probably solid high-leverage options, and maybe they revert back to their traditional roles when the team gets Santos back.

But you are still looking to replace the loss of Matt Brash as well. Does it make sense for the team to go out and get a solid high leverage option? Perhaps Jimi Garcia could be that answer. Maybe even Garcia and a big bat from the Blue Jays could solve all of the Mariner's problems... highly unlikely, but it's fun to talk about.

In all seriousness, this bullpen could use another arm and whether that is getting Santos back and healthy or acquiring another solid reliever, they will need help at some point as the season will likely catch up with some of these pitchers.

Will ownership step up at the trade deadline in 2024?

On the topic of acquiring talent, there is no doubt that Dipoto and Hollander will be manning the phones looking to make all of the moves needed to make this team better. At each deadline Dipoto has been at the helm, there has seemingly been either a bold, blockbuster-type move or a bold, headscratcher type of move. What will we see at the trade deadline this year?

As things currently stand on the morning of May 31st, the Mariners have a comfortable 3 game lead, but that isn't necessarily because they are just playing that well. What is usually one of the best divisions in baseball, looks like it could be the worst in the American League (the Mariners have the fifth best record in the American League and lead the division...ouch). The offense needs some work... scratch that, a lot of work! Guys like Julio, Garver, and Cal need to return to form and lead this offense. Surely, there will be a move or two made, but to what extent?

The Mariners have a problem at first base and it's the easiest position to get offense outside of DH (another area the Mariners are struggling). They also have an issue at second base and the corner outfield spots. They aren't going to be able to address all of their issues, but they should look at adding a couple of bats at the deadline. The type of bat may be dependent upon ownership.

If the Mariners and Dipoto want to acquire someone like Pete Alonso (not happening), Vlad Guerrero Jr., or Christian Walker, and maybe even extend them like they did Luis Castillo, will ownership allow this increase in payroll? Or will they force Dipoto to dump salary as they had to this offseason and make a bold move regarding Haniger or Polanco?

This may be the most important question the team needs to answer and directly correlates to the first question. If the production doesn't start coming internally, then ownership and management need to be willing both the financial cost and prospect cost to add elite offensive talent. This pitching staff is a once-in-a-lifetime type of talent and matching it offensively would propel this team to World Series hopefuls.

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