Seattle Mariners fans mock team exec’s assessment of the team’s struggles: "They paid for the bargain bin and are surprised at the lack of quality?" 

Cleveland Guardians v Seattle Mariners
Jarred Kelenic #10 of the Seattle Mariners reacts after striking out

It's been a rough start to the season for the Seattle Mariners, with the team residing in the American League West Division cellar at 2-5 after the first week of the season.

The Mariners rank 25th out of 30 MLB teams with a .222 batting average, and are 22nd with a team OPS of .662.

Jerry DiPoto, Seattle's president of baseball operations, joined a Seattle-area radio program "Brock and Salk Show" to discuss what he sees as the team's issues after seven games. He said:

"We have really struggled in almost every facet of the game through a week. I know the general attention has been paid to our offense but it’s really been all elements of the game. We’ve struggled to make the defensive plays, we’ve struggled on the bases, and we’ve really struggled to manage the strike zone both on the mound and from the batter’s box."

While DiPoto did not mince words about the team, neither did Seattle Mariners fans about DiPoto's efforts.

While Mariners fans had all sorts of theories as to why the team's hitting has been problematic, the dig at the pitching staff chafed many Seattleites. Seattle's pitchers have compiled an ERA of 3.38, good for eighth overall in MLB. Although DiPoto wasn't wrong about the team's 31 walks, which is tied for second-most in the league.

DiPoto opened himself up to a bevy of criticism following the interview. The team boasted an MLB-best profit north of $83 million last season, yet remained far south of the average 2023 MLB payroll of $151.8 million with a total team payout of $129.8 million. However, that might have more to do with owner John Stanton than DiPoto.

Needless to say, Mariners fans are overwhelmingly not DiPoto fans.

Seattle Mariners have a long history of disappointment

Manager Scott Servais #9 of the Seattle Mariners talks with umpire Pat Hoberg #31
Manager Scott Servais #9 of the Seattle Mariners talks with umpire Pat Hoberg #31

Since making their debut in 1977, the Seattle Mariners have a winning percentage of .474. What's more, the team has made it to the playoffs just five times in 47 years and has yet to hoist an American League pennant.

The most heartbreaking season in Mariners history was 2001, when the team tied a major league record with 116 regular-season wins but lost the ALCS in five games to the New York Yankees. Seattle made it to the ALCS three times in a seven-year stretch from 1995 to 2001, but lost once to the Cleveland Guardians and twice to the Yankees.

Last season was the first time the Mariners reached the playoffs since their 2001 playoff collapse.

Quick Links

Edited by Gaelin Leif
Sportskeeda logo
Close menu
WWE
WWE
NBA
NBA
NFL
NFL
MMA
MMA
Tennis
Tennis
NHL
NHL
Golf
Golf
MLB
MLB
Soccer
Soccer
F1
F1
WNBA
WNBA
More
More
bell-icon Manage notifications