New Article Shows Why Seattle Mariners Hitting Plan Didn't Work For Most of Season

The Seattle Mariners can point to many reasons as to why they aren't going to the postseason this year, but they can point to an anemic offense for much of the year being the main culprit.

Miami Marlins hitting coach Brant Brown (right) talks with Miami Marlins first baseman Yuli Gurriel (middle) and Miami Marlins shortstop Joey Wendle (left) during the eighth inning of the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field in 2023. / Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

At 83-77 this season, the Seattle Mariners have been eliminated from the playoff race yet again. Though finishing over .500 is somewhat of an accomplishment, it's not enough for a fanbase that has seen just five playoff appearances in the history of the franchise.

When the Mariners look back on this season, they can point to several factors for missing the playoffs: The record against bad teams, the record on the road, and a mostly anemic offense that held the team back much of the year.

A new article from the Seattle Times points to the failures of the offense and talks about the now-poor decision to hire Brant Brown as the team's offensive coordinator last offseason. Brown was fired in May as the team posted crazy strikeout numbers and had an inability to make consistent contact.

Add that specific strategy on top of the data-driven approach that the Mariners front office values — like many modern MLB clubs — and some hitters felt the team-wide plans were too complex, and too inflexible. Sensory overload, it seemed.

Hitters eventually started to tune out Brown, whose blunt coaching style did not seem to sit well with (Julio) Rodriguez in particular.

The lasting legacy of the 2024 Mariners? The reality that they wasted the greatest starting rotation in franchise history:https://t.co/QCxolKW7S5

— Adam Jude (@A_Jude) September 27, 2024

As the Mariners move forward to 2025, hiring someone who will jive with Rodriguez would seem to be a necessity. Furthermore, a more simplistic gameplan at the plate appears to be working as well. The team has transformed into the best offense in baseball in September under the guidance of Edgar Martinez.

The Mariners will finish out the season with two games on Saturday and Sunday against Oakland. First pitch on Saturday is 6:40 p.m. PT.

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