Dan Wilson will not return as Seattle Mariners manager
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 25: Manager Dan Wilson #6 of the Seattle Mariners look on prior to the game against the Los Angeles Angels at T-Mobile Park on September 25, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / Getty Images)
After taking the Seattle Mariners further than they've ever gone before just one year ago, Dan Wilson will not return as manager in 2027.
"This season has been very difficult, and of course the results have not been what any of us had expected. As a result, it was concluded that today is my last day as manager of the Seattle Mariners," Wilson said after Seattle's season-ending 7-3 victory over the Los Angeles Angels.
"I'm still processing this with my family and it's a very difficult day. We love this city, we love this community. We appreciate this organization for what it's meant to the family since coming here as a player in ‘94. We feel extremely blessed by all the opportunities we have been afforded. We’ve raised our family here and we will continue to call Seattle home."
According to MLB.com and The Seattle Times, Wilson informed players in a pre-game meeting on Sunday that he will not be back as the team's manager. The Mariners announced that the move came through collective discussions between all parties.
"Collectively, we failed to meet our own expectations this season," president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto said in a statement. "Dan and I both care deeply about this organization, these players, and the future of the Mariners. After much discussion it was concluded that a new direction is best for 2027 and beyond.
"I want to thank Dan for his efforts over the past two years and specifically recognize his role in our club advancing to Game 7 of the ALCS in 2025."
Wilson took over the role in August 2024, replacing a fired Scott Servais midseason. Wilson posted a 187-171 record in his three years as Mariners' manager.
"I want to add my thanks to Dan for the work he’s done as manager," Mariners chairman John Stanton said in a statement. "I have also spoken with Dan and made it clear that we would like to keep him in our organization. I look forward to continued conversations as we work to identify a role in which we can continue to benefit from his experience and commitment to the Mariners and our community."
The backstory:
The Mariners came eight outs away from their first World Series berth in 2025, falling in a crushing 4-3 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7 of the ALCS. The 2026 team entered the season with high expectations of being back in a similar position this year, only to have that vision careen wildly off-course.
For the first time since 2020, the Mariners finished a season with a losing record at 76-86.
"I've been in a baseball a while," Wilson said. "This is what happens. Managers shoulder the blame and shoulder the responsibility. This is obviously difficult and my family and I are still processing it, and we'll get through it."
Injuries, poor performance, and numerous other errors helped contribute to a season that fell well short of its goal. Wilson himself was one of many areas deserving of scrutiny as well.
Wilson's lineup construction, substitutions and pitching change decisions, and a seeming lack of accountability in the clubhouse all seemed to contribute to the Mariners' failing.
Plays such as Randy Arozarena throttling down chasing a foul ball in Tampa, Julio Rodríguez throwing a live ball into the stands in Milwaukee thinking there were three outs when there were only two, and other seeming lapses of focus or effort led to little visible discipline from the manager's office. Wilson also was poor at explaining team decisions – both to players and reporters.
Wilson and the front office left both Bryce Miller and Luis Castillo frustrated when they were not told sufficiently about the team's plan to "piggyback" the two starters midseason when the team was trying to utilize all six healthy starting options. When J.P. Crawford began taking ground balls at third base, expressing an openness to change positions from shortstop to accommodate the impending promotion of Colt Emerson, Wilson didn't mention that Crawford came to the team with the idea.
The AL West was awful this season collectively. The Houston Astros won the division with an 81-81 record, becoming the first MLB team to win a division without a winning record in a full season. Despite their struggles, the Mariners still had chance after chance to find their win to a division crown. Instead, they were unable to win more than two consecutive games in a row after June 2. They went the final 100 games of the season without a three-game winning streak.
Seattle had the easiest schedule in baseball in the month of September, furthering the belief a run to a playoff spot was possible. Instead, a 12-12 record to close out the season left the Mariners five games out at the end of the year.
The Mariners will now be looking for their third manager in four seasons.
The Source: Information in this story comes from MLB.com, The Seattle Times and FOX 13 Seattle reporting.
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