The pressure is on! Three Seattle Mariners players are staring down a pivotal 2026 season, a year that could define their futures with the team. Despite the team's overall success in 2025, individual performances varied greatly, with injuries, statistical declines, and positional uncertainties casting shadows on these players' contributions. Let's dive into who these players are and what's at stake.
1. Luke Raley:
In 2024, Raley was a standout, leading all qualified Mariners in OPS+ with a 128. He was a versatile utility player, primarily in the corner outfield spots, but also filling in at first base. However, the 2025 season brought a significant downturn. His slugging percentage plummeted from .463 in 2024 to a mere .311 in 2025. Injuries also plagued him, including an oblique strain in April and back spasms in July, limiting his playing time. To put it simply, OPS+ measures a player's on-base percentage plus slugging percentage, adjusted to account for ballpark and league conditions, with 100 being league average.
Adding to the challenge, Raley now faces stiff competition for playing time. With Josh Naylor solidifying his position at first base and the outfield depth chart crowded with talent like Dominic Canzone and Rob Refsnyder, Raley's path to consistent playing time is uncertain. The team seems to still have some hope in him, as evidenced by his recent $2.05 million contract, but he needs to turn things around quickly to avoid being a trade candidate.
2. Bryce Miller:
Miller's situation mirrors Raley's. In 2024, he was Seattle's most valuable pitcher, boasting a 2.94 ERA over 180.1 innings, and a rWAR of 3.4. But 2025 brought its share of setbacks. Recurring elbow inflammation led to multiple trips to the injured list and a 5.68 ERA over 90.1 innings.
The good news is that surgery appears to be off the table. However, Miller needs to rediscover the form that made him so effective. A major concern is the performance of his four-seam fastball. In 2024, it held batters to a .348 slugging percentage and generated a run value of 19 (4th in MLB). In 2025, opposing batters slugged .556 against it, and its run value was -8 (182nd in MLB). The Mariners have stated they have no intention to trade their starting pitchers, but their faith in Miller seems shaky, as he is the only player on the team heading to arbitration for a relatively modest amount of $375,000.
3. Víctor Robles:
Robles' career has been a rollercoaster. A top prospect in 2017, he played a key role on the 2019 World Series team, but his tenure in Washington was otherwise unremarkable. He had an outstanding first season in Seattle, earning an extension through 2026 with a team option for 2027. He played only 32 games during the regular season last year after a gruesome shoulder injury in April, and his performance didn't improve upon his return in late August and the postseason.
But here's where it gets controversial... His contract, while team-friendly, could work against him. With a $5.125 million salary, he can comfortably ride the bench or split time with other players if he doesn't prove himself as the clear starting option. He has just one season to convince the front office to pick up his option in 2027.
And this is the part most people miss... the impact of injuries and performance dips on these players' careers. It's a reminder that even in a team sport, individual success is crucial.
What do you think? Do you believe these players can bounce back? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
