SEAside Thoughts: Derby, Ohtani, the All-Star game, and a Week to Remember for Seattle

"Come to Seattle!" 

-All of Seattle to Ohtani 

If any of you have read my SEAside Thoughts over the past two plus years, you know that I've been a religious fan for as long as I can remember, dating back to 2000. There've been far too many lows and far too few highs in my time watching the Mariners, but last night, and this week? This was as special of a week as any non playoff moment that I can remember. Let's start forward and work back.

An All-Star game fit for Seattle

Like the previous time the Mid-Summer Classic made it to Seattle in 2001, this game was defined by beautiful weather (unless you were a right fielder), defense, and pitching. From the first batter to the final pitch, the best baseball players in the world showed a packed TMobile Park what greatness on the field and mound looks like. A 2-1 AL victory seemed inevitable before a stunning 2-run home run by MVP Elias Díaz off of King Fel… I mean Félix Bautista to give the NL a 3-2 lead and their first win in 9 All-Star games.

Luis Castillo ended up not pitching, but both George Kirby and Julio Rodriguez well represented the Seattle Mariners. Julio drew an important walk in the 9th inning to keep the AL hopes alive, before Phillies Craig Kimbrel struck out Guardians Jose Ramirez to seal the deal. The Julio at bat was special as around 50 thousand fans were screaming, "JULIO, JULIO, JULIO". 

It was a chilling and special moment, it shows the type of player the Mariners have, one universally loved by all baseball fans. It also showed the types of fans Seattle has, as another moment early in the game caught the attention of the baseball world.

Seattle made a hell of a pitch to Ohtani

With numerous baseball stars missing the big game this year, the presence of Shohei Ohtani felt like Taylor Swift was in town. The greatest baseball player of our lifetime brought his otherworldly talents to the Pacific Northwest, and it was an opportunity for Seattle to let him know how much they want him in the blue and teal in 2024.

The Mariners fans were Lumen Field 12th Man loud, chanting for the inevitable 2023 MVP. In his exit interview, Ohtani spoke about those "Come to Seattle" chants: 

“Never experienced anything like that but I definitely heard it.”

 Later in the interview, he would continue to speak highly of the city of Seattle and it's fans, 

“Every time I come here, the fans are passionate. I’ve actually spent a couple off-seasons in Seattle, I like the city, it’s good.”

Between his wonderful experience in Seattle, and how well of a show the team and city put on for the league, you have to wonder how far up did the Mariners push themselves in the Ohtani sweepstakes. Alleged runner-ups in 2018, most pundits have Shohei joining the Dodgers in 2024, but no team has an opportunity like Seattle did this week.

At the end of the day, Seattle (and Julio) did the best they could. We'll see if it was enough, but I think we can all agree Shohei Ohtani in Seattle Mariners colors is as perfect of a baseball image you may ever see.

A fun MLB draft and a pouty commissioner 

The Mariners had a fantastic draft. They took 3 top 30 picks in a historically deep draft and drafted three extremely talented and athletic high school hitters in Colt Emerson, Jonny Farmelo, and Tai Peete. 

Drafting athletes who play up the middle early in the draft can be a very successful path to building a strong, sustainable winner, and is a philosophy that Seattle has zeroed in on. Since Logan Gilbert was drafted in 2018, the Mariners have drafted pitchers, a catcher, a center fielder, and three shortstops with their first round picks. I love it.

The fans let Houston and Rob Manfred hear it at the draft. As loud as fans cheered for Ken Griffey Jr and Raul Ibanez at the draft, they jeered the embattled commissioner and the cheaters with the trash cans.

The boo's to Rob Manfred were clearly affecting him (he didn't stay for the All-Star MVP trophy presentation which is weak), but speaks to a larger issue and realization. Rob Manfred will never be remembered for anything more than his failure in handling the Astros cheating scandal. From the lack of investigation resources, to the pathetic lack of punishment, and the disrespectful comments regarding the World Series trophy, Manfred has a black mark that will never fade. If he wasn't as rude, socially awkward and dismissive of the players as he is, he'd still never have that mark fade. 

It's been half a decade and you saw at the draft how much hate the duo of Manfred and Houston share. He literally changed the way baseball is played, and will still be remembered for his embarrassing performance at the most important moment of his career. At some point, the owners have to step in and let someone else become commissioner. Rob Manfred is a black eye on and disgrace to baseball.

The Mid-Summer Classic is over, what's On Deck?

The Seattle Mariners hosting the all-star game was such a bittersweet experience. I remember watching the 2001 festivities as an 8 year old and dreaming of going if Seattle ever got a chance to host again. I wasn't able to go this time either as a 30 year old, but hopefully that 2044 All-Star game will be the one!

From everything you read or see on tv, Seattle put on a tremendous performance and made a special night for baseball even bigger and better. Now that it's over m, it's time for the late July push. The dog days of summer for some, the Mariners are about to start a massive 10 game homestand. The previous 10 games salvaged their season, but the next 10 will decide if Seattle is buying, selling, or both.

A three game series against the lowly Detroit Tigers, a four game set against the Minnesota Twins and the Toronto Canadian Invasion will define Jerry Dipoto's deadline approach. If the Mariners go 6-4 or better, I'd expect them to be aggressive buyers. Anything less and I think they're open for business.

Could the Mariners add an impact bat or another quality starting pitcher? Yes. Could the Mariners also trade Teoscar Hernandez and Paul Sewald? Yes. Could they do both? Yes!

All options are on the table, but one thing is clear to me, the AL is open for the taking. Tampa Bay and Texas both struggled mightily heading into the break. Houston is dealing with injuries and was humbled at home against Seattle. The Angels appear close to dead.

If Seattle can build off their strong momentum, there's a chance these Mariners reach those lofty goals that felt extinguished just two weeks ago.

Go M's