Former Seattle Mariners All-Star Gives Tough Answer When Asked About Last Offseason

This is most certainly not the answer that Mariners fans wanted to hear.

Seattle Mariners first baseman Ty France (23) runs after hitting into a fielder choice against the Los Angeles Angels during the first inning at Angel Stadium in July. / Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Appearing on the "Foul Territory" show on Friday, former Seattle Mariners All-Star Ty France confirmed what M's fans already feared: That the team knew last offseason wouldn't yield any big-ticket free agents for the organization.

Despite missing the playoffs by 1.0 game in 2023, France said it became apparent early in the offseason that the M's weren't going to be big spenders to improve the roster. He said the salary-dump trade of Eugenio Suarez all but confirmed that the team would have to subtract money in order to add it.

Former Mariner Ty France said players got a hint early on that the team wasn’t going to make a big splash last winter. pic.twitter.com/rYC3tS5uwe

— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) September 20, 2024

The M's are just 79-75 this year so there's certainly debate about whether or not the roster-building plans worked, but they certainly were creative in how they handled things.

The team shipped out the money owed to Evan White, Robbie Ray, Suarez and Marco Gonzales in order to bring in Jorge Polanco and Mitch Haniger. They also moved Jose Caballero for Luke Raley and shipped out Justin Topa while adding Ryne Stanek. They declined to offer Teoscar Hernandez even a qualifying offer.

With just eight games left in the regular season, the Mariners have only a seven percent chance to make the playoffs. They will be back in action on Saturday afternoon when they play the Texas Rangers at 4:10 p.m. PT.

Emerson Hancock will start in that game against veteran right-hander Max Scherzer. For scoreboard-watching purposes, the Minnesota Twins (2.0 ahead of Seattle) are playing the Boston Red Sox. The Detroit Tigers (1.0 game ahead) are playing the Baltimore Orioles.

RELATED SEATTLE MARINERS CONTENT:

NEW PODCAST IS OUT: The latest episode of the "Refuse to Lose" podcast is out as Brady Farkas talks about why there was no episode on Tuesday: He lost his voice after going to Foxboro to watch the Seahawks beat the Patriots. Furthermore, we talk about the M's chances in the playoff race, the frustrations of the season, and the baserunning errors from Victor Robles and Julio Rodriguez. CLICK HERE:

GOING, GOING, GONE? Reports are out that Seattle Mariners broadcaster Dave Sims is now a finalist for a job with the New York Yankees. CLICK HERE:

M's CONNECTION TO OTHANI: Former Seattle Mariners pitcher Mike Baumann gave up the historic blast this week to Shohei Ohtani. CLICK HERE:

Follow Inside the Mariners on social media

Continue to follow our Inside the Mariners coverage on social media by liking us on Facebook and by following Teren Kowatsch and Brady Farkas on "X" @Teren_Kowatsch and @wdevradiobrady. You can subscribe to the "Refuse to Lose" podcast by clicking HERE: