Why Edgar Martinez is the Mariners' secret MVP for the 2025 season

Mariners fans don't need to go too far back in time to be reminded of what things were like before Seattle became a powerhouse in the AL West. Just last year, it seemed like the franchise was going to be doomed to mediocrity for the foreseeable future.

The team got off to a hot start in 2024, pulling ahead in the division and building a considerable lead over the Astros. Unfortunately, they ceded their top spot in record time, which led to a big shakeup in staffing, namely the firing of Scott Servais and subsequent appointment of Dan Wilson into the manager role.

Although it didn't receive the same amount of media attention, another big change was to elevate Edgar Martínez to head hitting coach. This was done in a desperate attempt to improve the Mariners' most critical weakness: their lineup.

In 2024, Seattle had a cumulative OPS of just .687 (22nd in MLB). The effect was seemingly immediate as the team went from a .657 OPS in August (27th in MLB) to a .780 OPS in September (3rd in MLB). As the organization prepared for 2025, Martínez was promoted to Senior Director of Hitting Strategy and the numbers for the year indicate he did a pretty good job.

Within a year, Edgar Martínez helped turn the Mariners offense from one of the worst in MLB to one of the best

In 2025, the Mariners posted a combined OPS of .740, placing them in the top 10 of all teams. As a unit, they saw big improvements in on-base and slugging percentage and some individuals took incredible strides, namely Cal Raleigh. Martínez and the rest of Seattle's new hitting coaches helped him make a few small adjustments to his swing during spring training which created more efficient mechanics and helped him hit 60 home runs.

Many fans have also taken Julio Rodríguez's annual second-half offensive outbursts for granted. But this time, his .900 OPS after the All-Star break and strong postseason showing was due to the same tee drill that helped Raleigh become one of the best hitters in the sport. And after a disappointing first year with the team, Jorge Polanco's sophomore campaign in Seattle saw him post a 134 OPS+, the best mark of his career for a full season.

Martínez isn't the only one that deserves credit for the team's recent success at the plate. Kevin Seitzer, the man who filled his old role as head hitting coach, played a key role in helping the team overcome the daunting task of hitting in the most pitcher-friendly ballpark in MLB. As a result, the Mariners' home OPS jumped from .665 in 2024 to .701 in 2025.

For years, it's been a known fact that Seattle could develop top-tier pitching talent, but whether they could do the same for hitters had yet to be seen. With a year of encouraging data, it seems like the Mariners do have the ability to create a complete team, opening the door to deeper playoff runs and potentially even big-name position player free agents. No longer held down by an inept offense, Seattle is becoming more of a World Series threat with each passing year.