Is MLB Insider right about the Mariners wasting their World Series window?

The national narrative about the Seattle Mariners' offseason has not been good. Outlets from ESPN, The Athletic, and even from popular podcasts such as Talkin' Baseball are all questioning the Mariners' offseason. While the front office made some questionable moves, I actually like what Jerry Dipoto and Justin Hollander were able to do.

The Mariners offseason was a rollercoaster. It started off on a low point by missing the playoffs by 2 games, and then the comments made by Dipoto that are still lingering around in on Mariners' Twitter: 54%. The front office went into the offseason thinking they were about to spend, only to have ownership pull the rug out from under them. Instead of spending money, they had to cut payroll. Which they did.

Are the Mariners wasting their World Series window?

The trades of Eugenio Suarez and Jarred Kelenic, though not popular amongst fans, accomplished the goal of shedding payroll. While the front office tried to sell the fact of eliminating strikeouts, which is true, it still left a sour taste in fans' mouths.

As Mariners fans, this is not news to us. We know all of the moves and the reasons why they made them. One of my favorite things to do is listen to the national media's perspective on the Seattle Mariners. So when I was shown an article written by Joel Sherman in the New York Post, entitled "Mariners at risk of wasting World Series window with lackluster offseason", I was not too happy about it.

Then I read the article, and I found myself asking "Is he wrong, though?" No, I do not think Mr. Sherman is wrong with this take. He goes over the core pieced that the Mariners currently have in place. From the rotation to Crawford and Julio, this team is poised to do big things. And he says that in his article. He mentions Cal Raleigh not even being in arbitration yet, and compares the Mariners to a team ready for a Super Bowl run with a quarterback on a rookie deal. Does that sound familiar, Seahawks fans?

He also mentioned the lack of true hitting talent available in free agency. The top of the board guys like Shohei Ohtani, and trading for Juan Soto, were never really on the table for the Mariners. Cody Bellinger has exit velocity issues, and Matt Chapman is basically the same player as Eugenio Suarez, or at least close enough to not entertain the Mariners front office. So if all of that is true, how could the Mariners have gotten better?

Sherman points out that the Mariners should have been nagging the Chicago White Sox for star outfielder Luis Robert Jr. Earlier this offseason, White Sox GM CHris Getz said they are not trading Robert this offseason. While it is true that they have not traded him yet, he also said the same thing about their best starting pitcher Dylan Cease., and he is now pitching for the Padres.

Do the Mariners have enough to land such a player as Robert? Sure they do. One of Bryce Miller or Bryan Woo, and a few of their key prospects should get the job done. If not Robert, then they will need to get another big bat between now and the trade deadline. It was not that long ago that the Mariners traded a huge prospect haul for Luis Castillo. They have done it before, and they will need to do it again to keep this World Series window open.

As it turns out, I actually agree with Joel Sherman's article. I am happy with what the front office was able to do given their financial restraints, but ownership better be willing to cough up some money to get this team going where it should be. If they don't, then fans and players will start turning on this team, and the clubhouse already has enough issues with the front office.

So yes, the Mariners are at risk of wasting their World Series window. But there is still time to right the ship. This has the potential to be one of the best teams in the American League, and it is time for ownership to start acting like it.

As always, Go Mariners!