A Year After the ALCS, the Mariners Fire Dan Wilson

Twelve months ago Dan Wilson was finishing third in AL Manager of the Year voting after taking Seattle to 90 wins, a division title and the ALCS. On Sunday the Mariners won their last game, 7-3 over the Angels, and then told Wilson he wouldn't be back.

"This season has been very difficult, and of course the results have not been what any of us had expected," Wilson said, fighting back tears. "We love this city. We love this community."

Seattle finished 76-86, third in the AL West, and was eliminated on Thursday. May was its only winning month. After a 13-14 June came a 9-15 July, and the season never recovered.

The offense was the problem, and Cal Raleigh's decline sums it up. The catcher hit 60 homers with 125 RBIs last year and finished second to Aaron Judge for MVP. This year he had 23 and 69, with more strikeouts and much less hard contact. A lineup that ranked ninth in runs per game in 2025 spent parts of this season in last place.

"Collectively, we failed to meet our own expectations this season," president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto said. "After much discussion it was concluded that a new direction is best for 2027 and beyond."

Wilson, 57, is a former Mariners catcher and a member of the club's Hall of Fame. He replaced Scott Servais during the 2024 season and went 187-171. The team wants to keep him in the organization in another role, and he said he'll talk it over with his family.

Seattle now needs a new manager. Dipoto's choice will say a lot about whether the Mariners see 2026 as an off year or a sign of something bigger.