Dan Wilson Won't Manage Mariners in 2027 After Disappointing Season

Prior to today's 7-3 win over the Los Angeles Angels, Dan Wilson announced he would not return to manage the ballclub in 2027.

After winning the AL West and coming within heartbeat of their first AL pennant in 2025, the Mariners took a huge step backwards this season finishing with a 76-86 record with 14 fewer wins despite only being 5 games back of the Houston Astros. While Randy Arozerena led the AL in runs scored, Cal Raleigh, Julio Rodriguez and Josh Naylor struggled at the plate. Raleigh hit a paltry .177 with 23 HR and 68 RBI. While the power numbers were decent, consider that he finished runner up in AL MVP balloting last year with 60 HR and 125 RBI.

Wilson took over the club in August 2024 following an in season collapse under his predecessor Scott Servais. He had never had any prior managing experience though Wilson had spent 12 out of 14 MLB seasons as the Mariners catcher plus 13 additional seasons in the team's front office. It is unclear if Wilson will return to the Mariners' front office.

Given that Wilson was promoted within the organization, one wonders if Mariners' brass will look for an external candidate and try to lure the likes of former Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora. 

Then again even if the Mariners had won the AL West, that might not have been enough for Wilson to keep his job. After all, Astros manager Joe Espada won't be back in the dugout in 2027 despite winning the division. 

Sometimes winning isn't enough. But in Wilson's case it was case of not being able to replicate lightning in a bottle. There was no spark in Seattle this season and Wilson couldn't ignite it.