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There are lessons to be learned for the Mariners from each team in the 2023 World Series
The Texas Rangers have defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 2023 World Series. What lessons can the Mariners learn from each team?
The 2023 MLB season is officially over. In one of the most unpredictable postseasons in baseball history, the Texas Rangers are somehow world champions. While some of the scores make it look lopsided, the 2023 Fall Classic was actually a very entertaining and close battle. If Paul Sewald can find a way to finish that 9th inning, this World Series is probably still going on, and Arizona may be trying to clinch.
Congratulations to Texas on a dominant postseason, and thanks for beating the hated Astros, but this a really disappointing feeling for the Seattle Mariners.
While the Arizona Diamondbacks came up a little short in the Fall Classic, they have nothing to be ashamed of. Reaching the championship round for the first time since 2001, Arizona had an incredible Cinderella run, knocking out Milwaukee, Los Angeles and defending NL champion Philadelphia in Philly to clinch the pennant. Congratulations to them on an incredible run, but watching an 84 win club with Paul Sewald get to the World Series is incredibly frustrating to the Mariners fanbase.
As owner John Stanton, president Jerry Dipoto and GM Justin Hollander head into their most important offseason, and maybe their most criticized to date, it is time to turn this negative vibe around. Trades can officially happen today, players can resign today, and free agency begins in just a few days. So before we jump into the 2023-2024 offseason, what are some lessons the Mariners can learn from the Texas Rangers and Arizona Diamondbacks?
Mariners Lessons: From the Arizona Diamondbacks
Speed Kills...
A big reason why the Snakes were able to beat three teams that I feel confident in saying were more talented, was the special teams play of swiping bags. Arizona stole 23 bags in 17 games at an insane rate of success. They had seven players who could steal a bag, with guys like Corbin Carroll, Ketel Marte, and Geraldo Perdomo being superb at swiping bags. It causes so much pressure on opposing pitchers and their defenses as any mistake would put a runner in scoring position. They always gave their offense (which is not a great offense) as many bites at the apple as possible.
Jerry Dipoto in his introductory press conference when he was hired talked about wanting a fast athletic team. It's time to lean back into that style of play, especially with the new base rules.
The Wise Old Man...
It feels like every year we'll see a team in the World Series that has a former star who is in his twilight years but still plays a huge role in the clubhouse and on the field. Evan Longoria may not end up in Cooperstown, but he was a great player who was a big part of the success this season. In the past, we've seen guys like Carlos Beltran in Houston, Raul Ibanez in Kansas City, Pat Burrell in San Francisco, and Lance Berkman in St. Louis all see the end of their runs playing a sizable role in October.
If Seattle could bring in a veteran that can contribute and bring championship experience, it would be huge. Guys like JD Martinez, Justin Turner or Jason Heyward could be a big boost in more ways than one.
Mariners Lessons: From the Texas Rangers
Rangers went for it on all levels...
Sandy Koufax, Bob Gibson, and Reggie Jackson. Those were the only two-time World Series MVPs in baseball history, until last night. Corey Seager joined that legendary list last night as the spark of the Texas Rangers rebirth led them to the promised land. It was a perfect picture of what Texas dreamed of in the offseason two years ago.
ESPN insider Jeff Passan tweeted last night that, "they (the Rangers) spent in free agency. They developed well. They hired the best manager around. They went 11-0 on the road in October. And after 63 years of existence, the Rangers are champs for the first time."
The Rangers have been absolute hound dogs hunting down a title. They signed stars like Seager, Marcus Semien, and Jacob deGrom to massive deals. They developed immediate impact youngsters in Evan Carter and Josh Jung. They have more impact youth on the horizon with Jack Leiter and Wyatt Langford.
They were also savvy and ultra-aggressive in trades to help their team. Guys like Jonah Heim, Mitch Garver, and Adolis Garcia helped lay a strong foundation, while the Rangers saw blood dripping down the eye of an aging Astros dynasty, then went out and acquired Hall of Fame talents in Aroldis Chapman and Max Scherzer.
Their ownership and leadership sent a clear message to the team, their fans, and the league that they are 100% committed to becoming great not just in 2023, but beyond. They have star power, they have depth, they have championship experience and they have reinforcements on the horizon. They're everything a fan could want from their team, including the most important quality of all: Rings.
A solid foundation is in place here in Seattle to be a constant playoff threat. But, to truly be great and a champion, they'll need to take some of the qualities that helped Arizona pull off upsets, and combine it with the bashing alpha predator mentality that the Texas Rangers showed the world this postseason.