Image source: LM Otero, Associated Press
The Seattle Mariners are reportedly planning to fire manager Scott Servais on Thursday, as per The Athletic. Dan Wilson, the former Mariners catcher from the 1990s, is expected to take over the role.
The Mariners had a strong start this season, holding a 10-game lead in the American League West on June 18. However, things took a turn for the worse. They are now five games behind the Houston Astros in the division and 7.5 games out of the final wild-card spot.
The team was 13 games over .500 during their peak but has struggled since. They currently stand at 64-64 after going 20-33 in their last 53 games. Their recent 1-8 road trip has further dampened their chances. The Mariners will return home on Friday to face the San Francisco Giants.
Seattle’s pitching staff has been a bright spot, leading the majors with a 3.53 ERA and a .224 opponents’ batting average. Unfortunately, the offense has not kept up. The Mariners rank last in the league with a .216 batting average, only 903 hits, and a league-leading 1,308 strikeouts.
Scott Servais, 57, became the Mariners’ manager in 2016. During his tenure, he has a record of 680-642, giving him a .514 winning percentage. Under his leadership, the Mariners made it to the postseason in 2022, breaking a 21-year playoff drought. However, their playoff run was short-lived, as they were swept by the Astros in the American League Division Series.
Dan Wilson, 55, is well-known among Mariners fans, having played for the team from 1994-2005. He shared the field with some of the franchise’s biggest legends, including Ken Griffey Jr., Randy Johnson, Alex Rodriguez, and Jay Buhner.
Although Wilson has no prior managerial experience or MLB coaching background, he has served as a special assignment coordinator for the Mariners and occasionally filled in as a broadcaster.
As the Mariners continue their quest to stay in the playoff race, the potential leadership change could bring a new direction for the team. Fans will be watching closely to see if Wilson can turn things around.
