What Wyman and Bob are watching over Mariners’ closing stretch

The 2026 season is coming to its close for the Seattle Mariners.

Mariners Notes: Power-hitting prospect to play in fall league

While Seattle hasn’t been mathematically eliminated from playoff contention yet, the club is likely to spending its October watching from home. Entering Sunday, it was five games out of a playoff spot with 13 to go.

So, what’s left to watch with the Mariners this season? Seattle Sports’ Wyman and Bob on Friday discussed two things they’ll be keeping an eye on with the Mariners closely over the final two weeks.

Randy’s last hurrah?

Among the players set to hit free agency after this season, none carry more intrigue than Randy Arozarena.

The 31-year-old left fielder has put together a stellar year in his final season of club control, leading the team in fWAR (4.3), batting average (.273), on-base percentage (.371), OPS (.835), doubles (29), home runs (23), RBIs (71) and runs scored (97).

“That one’s an interesting one. I don’t know what he’s gonna want to be paid, but he’s pretty much the entire offense this year,” Dave Wyman said.

And Arozarena hasn’t just been the Mariners’ best position player, he’s been among the best outfielders in baseball, ranking fourth in wRC+ (144) and in the top 10 in fWAR, on-base percentage, OPS, homers, doubles and steals (22).

“I feel like the perception of him has shifted with a lot of fans,” Bob Stelton said. “…Randy was the consistent force and people are like, ‘You gotta bring him back. You gotta re-sign him.’”

“I’ve never seen a bigger shift as far as for a player,” Wyman added.

The expectation is that Arozarena will get a qualifying offer for the 2027 season from the Mariners, which would guarantee a compensatory draft pick if he signs elsewhere. But whether or not the parties will come to terms on multi-year deal is the bigger question.

“He seems to have made it clear he’d like to stay. I think he’d like to get paid and stay, but I don’t know how the organization feels,” Stelton said. “I don’t know if they’re feeling like we’re gonna pay this guy 20-plus million a year. And if he does get that money, which every penny is guaranteed, what does that do to a creative personality like his? So, I don’t know what their answer is. If it’s not him, who’s gonna be your left fielder?”

Will Julio get hot?

The second-half surge Mariners fans have been accustomed to seeing from three-time All-Star center fielder Julio Rodríguez hasn’t happened this year. He is having the worst second half of his five-year career by a wide margin, hitting just .216 with a .622 OPS and seven homers across 51 games.

There have been some signs of life from Rodríguez this week, though. After spending time pregame taking batting practice from longtime scout and friend friend Franmy Peña on Thursday, Rodríguez delivered a go-ahead three-run homer that won the game for the M’s later that day. He also delivered a clutch single in the top of the 10th inning to drive in the go-ahead run in an eventual loss on Friday and had a three-hit game in Seattle’s blowout win over the A’s on Saturday.

“Does Julio go on a hot streak now in the final (stretch)?” Stelton asked. “It would almost be more frustrating. I kind of felt that way with Cal (Raleigh). It’s awesome to see him find it. And you love Cal – he’s such a great guy and a great player. But there’s part of me going, where the heck was this earlier? How come you couldn’t have been this just a little bit earlier, man? You just feel like (it’s) a little late for that. But we’ll see if this happens with Julio.”

Hear the full conversation at this link or in the audio player in this story. Catch Wyman and Bob weekdays from 2-7 p.m. or find the podcast on the Seattle Sports app. 

Seattle Mariners news and more

• Why Lazaro Montes’ 474-foot blast is Mariners most impressive HR ever
• A telling stat for the Seattle Mariners’ offensive issues this year
• Mariners’ Brendan Donovan still dealing with symptoms after concussion

Related

Six Mariners prospects with rising stocks in 2026Mariners surrender 4-run lead, fall to A’s 8-7 on walkoff HRMariners slug 5 HRs in historic 19-1 blowout of A’sM’s rookie Michael Arroyo blasts first career HR in rout of A’sA’s beat Mariners 6-5 on Walton’s walkoff HR in 10th inningMariners Notes: Power-hitting prospect to play in fall league