Seattle Mariners v Kansas City Royals
Seattle Mariners v Kansas City Royals | Brandon Sloter/GettyImages
Being a fan of the Seattle Mariners isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s a franchise with fewer ups than downs. And after a frustrating winter, it didn’t seem like there was much to look forward to come Opening Day.
However, after nearly 20 spring training games, it seems like the team is giving fans and experts plenty to be excited about.
In a recent interview with Seattle Sports radio show Brock and Salk, ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan expressed a bullish sentiment after visiting the Mariners camp in Peoria, notably saying the experience made him think more about picking Seattle to win the AL West in 2025.
In making his case, Passan highlighted three key points.
Jeff Passan’s case for the Mariners
The first was Dan Wilson’s position as manager. While he came into the role under dire circumstances following the sudden firing of Scott Servais, he helped lead a major offensive resurgence for the team in the final portion of the 2024 season. Now he has a chance to get a full 162-game season under his belt, and his position as a franchise legend has allowed him to develop strong bonds with his squad.