The Seattle Mariners have made the 2022 American League Wild Card and are back in the playoffs after 21 years. It’s been a long long road with tears both joyous and reaping of disappointment. In those 21 years, the Seattle Mariners have been one of the most struggling franchises in profession sports history. Who can Mariners fans thank for this? First, the ball players, and second, Seattle Mariners former General Manager Jerry Dipoto.
Who is Jerry Dipoto?
Though Dipoto is no Theo Epstein (long-time MLB executive mastermind who under his leadership won Boston Red Sox a world series in 2004, that took 86 years to win it again, and the Chicago Cubs in 2016 who last won it in 1908), Dipoto is one of the main reasons why the Mariners are in the position they are today. Dipoto was a former MLB player who played seven 1993-2000 with the Cleveland Indians (now the Cleveland Guardians), New York Mets, and Colorado Rockies. It wasn’t until 2010 that he started his front office career when he was named Interim General Manager for the Arizona Diamondbacks formerly acting as the Director of Scouting and Player Personnel. After his year in Arizona, Dipoto was the GM of the Los Angeles Angels from 2011-2015. Where after his departure from LA came to the Pacific Northwest to take on the GM position for the Mariners. In his seven years as the Mariners, he built a blueprint that helped turn the Mariners around.
The Blueprints to Success
Acquiring Mitch Haniger and Jean Segura
In 2017, Dipoto sent shortstop Ketel Marte and Right-handed pitcher Tajuan Walker to the Arizona Diamondbacks in return for shortstop Jean Segura and outfielder Mitch Haniger. A questionable trade as Marte was a young gun, but he was plagued by injuries already being placed on the Injured Reserve list three times. This trade would turn out to be excellent and set forth the blue print into acquiring some of the most beloved Mariners players in years. Not to mention Segura turned out to be a great asset for the Mariners with an excellent batting average of .300 and .304 in 2017 and 2018.
Mitchy the Kid
Almost any Seattle Mariners fan will mention that Haniger is one of their favorite players. In 2018, he was an all-star for the Mariners where he put a solid stat line for the Mariners of .285 BA, 170 hits, 26 home runs and 93 Runs Batted In. He is electric and exciting which is something the Mariners fan can always root for. Haniger’s career has plagued injuries, but that doesn’t stop him from being great. Haniger’s veteran presence in the clubhouse gives the young players someone to look up to and guide them in their MLB Careers.
Trading Away Cano
In 2014, the Seattle Mariners during free agency went all in by signing veteran and all-star second baseman Robinson Cano to 10 years $240 million contract. After having some solid years with the Mariners, he was eventually traded to the Mets. The Mariners sent closer Edwin Diaz, Cano, $20 million in cash for former top draft pick OF Jared Kelenic, RHP Justin Dunn, OF Jay Bruce, RHPS Anthony Shwarzack and Gerson Bautista. This was a huge win for the Mariners as they acquired young prospects in Dunn and Kelenic and got rid of Cano’s huge contract. Although they are still paying him today, they went from paying him 24 million to 1.5 million. (explain more). Trading Cano was a sign that the Mariners were ready to blow it up.
Hello JP!
In 2019, The Mariners sent S.S. Jean Segura to the Phillies among other players in return for shortstop J.P. Crawford and Carlos Santana (who the Mariners immediately traded but he now resides on the team). Crawford has been one of the core players in their rebuild post-Cano trade as he has been with the team now for three years. Mariners fans have seen him grow and mature into a big league ball player. Since his time in Seattle, Crawford has won a gold glove and was rewarded a five-year, $51 million contract. His contract came right before the season was set to start. That time, Since the start of the 2020 season, Crawford leads all American League shortstops in innings played at the position with 1,876. He had just made only 15 errors in 843 chances during that span.
Drafting/Signing Prospects:
Dipoto in his career in Seattle has built a farm/prospect system that I one point was listed as the best in the league according to Baseball America. Some of the players he drafted helped the Mariners set their course for a strong future:
- Signed Julio Rodriguez in 2018
- MLB All-Star
- 2022 MLB Home Run Derby Participant
- Two-time American League Rookie of the Month (May and July)
- Fastest player to have 20 stolen bases and 15 home runs (81 games)
- Fastest rookie to reach 25 home runs and 25 stolen base marks in a single season (125 games)
- Drafted George Kirby (2019)
- American League Rookie of the Month (August)
- Drafted Logan Gilbert (2018)
- American League Pitcher of the Month (April)
What do all three of these players have in common besides winning individual awards? How about playing crucial roles in giving Mariners wins this season.
Solidify the Pitching Staff.
The Mariners spent big money to sign 2021 American League Cy Young winner Robby Ray to a five-year, $115 million contract. Ray has been great this year for the Mariners as he is one of the top leaders in the AL with strikeouts. He commands the mound when he pitches and shows why he deserved the payday! He is also a good veteran to guide young guns like Gilbert and Kirby into a strong MLB career.
All in baby
As the trade deadline was nearing its end in July, Dipoto is ready to win and help the Mariners get back into the playoffs by acquiring RHP Luis Castillo from the Cincinnati Reds. In return, Cincinnati received SS Noelvi Marte, SS Edwin Arroyo, RHP Levi Stoudt, and RHP Andrew Moore. Castillo has been dominant for the Mariners with over 60 strikeouts, a 2.83 ERA, and a 3-2 record. In his home debut in Seattle, in eight scoreless innings giving up three hits, two walks, and seven strikeouts. The Mariners ended up winning the game 1-0 on a walk-off hit by Luis Torrens in the bottom of the 13th. Castillo will become a free agent at the end of the season to which the Mariners will most likely give him an extension
Dipoto steps down
It was announced that Jerry Dipoto is stepping down as GM for the Mariners and promoting Justin Hollander to take the mantle. Hollander, who has been assistant GM under Jerry Dipoto since November 2018, becomes the 10th general manager in Mariners history.
Dipoto has done wonders for the Seattle Mariners franchise and the city of Seattle itself as well. The Mariners are playing winning baseball and it’s exciting to watch, they are proving that they are a contending team and should not be underestimated. Although Dipoto has stepped down as GM, whatever Hollander does next, Mariners fans can sit back and relax because fans should only have faith and trust towards the front office. Especially, when the Mariners arrived back into the postseason after 21 years of an emotional rollercoaster. The future is bright for the Mariners franchise and will be exciting to see what the new leadership has in store.