Mariners predicted to get rewarded for active offseason with 2026 season outcome originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Visit fishroad-app.com for more information.
The Seattle Mariners did something they have never done before as a franchise last season: they made it to the doorstep of the World Series.
While they came up short, there's plenty of optimism for this Mariners team heading into 2026. And after a very active offseason, full of trades and signings, that optimism makes even more sense.
The majority of 30 ESPN voters predicted that such optimism would be answered this season, as Seattle is predicted to not only win the AL West by a considerable margin, but also win the AL as a whole and make the World Series.
Mariners predicted to make World Series thanks to offseason moves
"The Mariners have the best rotation in the AL with five starters who are good enough to start on Opening Day," Tim Kurkjian writes. "... The Mariners got a good taste of the playoffs last year. They want more."
While Kurkjian points out the Mariners' rotation being one of the best in baseball, and the best in the American League, as a reason to believe they can win the AL West and eventually win the AL as a whole, there are plenty of other reasons to be optimistic.
Andres Munoz leads a deep bullpen, and the offense, led by Cal Raleigh and Julio Rodriguez, will get some help from trade pickup Brendan Donovan and the re-signed Josh Naylor.
More: Jacob DeGrom is only 149 strikeouts from 2,000 for his career
While Jorge Polanco and Eugenio Suarez left in free agency, the Mariners have a good enough roster without them to win the AL West.
And when it comes to winning the AL as a whole, and making the World Series for the first time in their long history, the Mariners' overall offseason and roster construction are plenty of reasons to believe in Seattle's chances.
25 of the 30 voters for ESPN predicted the Mariners to win the AL West, and 15 of those same 30 predicted Seattle would win the AL as a whole, and make the World Series.
After the Mariners spent big this offseason with Naylor and the trade for Donovan, among their other roster moves, the majority of ESPN voters predict Seattle will be rewarded for their spending this offseason with a World Series appearance.
More MLB news:
- Reds’ Hunter Greene to be out until July amid brutal injury news
- Dodgers’ Roki Sasaki will return to rotation, not bullpen according Dave Roberts
- Alex Cora announces Caleb Durbin is Red Sox starting third baseman
- Joey Wentz is out for the season with a torn ACL for the Braves
- Braves predicted to trade Bryce Elder for Lars Nootbaar
- Jesus Luzardo’s $135 million extension is a steal for Phillies
- This 19-year MLB record is finally over for the Giants
- Luis Gil sent down to minor leagues in strange Yankees roster move