Mariners Must Replace Dan Wilson

When Bill Simmons is openly chirping your ball club's decision-making, it's time for some introspection.

Not that 'The Podfather' necessarily knows what he's talking about when it comes to baseball anymore — The Ringer's founder freely admits that he is no longer a 162-game fan. But Simmons is just the latest amongst many to call for the Seattle Mariners pitching phenom Kade Anderson to be called up from the minors.

This chorus-of-the-impatient has been summoned by more than just fans of Anderson's game. Rather, it's symptomatic of a larger (and growing with every frustrating loss) contingent of Mariners fans and observers dissatisfied with how the Mariners are going about their business both in the front office and, significantly, in the dugout.

It may be time for the Seattle Mariners to move on from Dan Wilson (that hurts to write). Here's who potential replacements might be, and where it would leave this years 'Ners.

Why the Mariners should let Dan Wilson go

Dan Wilson is a franchise legend, a good man, and we will remember last year's 2025 Mariners forever.

Problem is, the 2026 Mariners make me want to take a golf club to my television, and I'm not nearly well-off enough for that to be a sound financial decision. They have been infuriating during this crucial, down-the-stretch period, most recently toppling to the Tigers and devolving versus the Devil Rays in an embarrassing series sweep.

And I'm not alone. The dedicated Mariners subreddit is rife with like-minded fans.

"They need to fire the coaching staff and bring in the truly most qualified coaches, not people who simply check off all the franchise's nostalgia boxes. The lack of outside talent from coaching could be an indicator that the team just isn't recruiting well in that area," writes one fan.

"Bad vibes, bad management, injuries, witchcraft," adds another, in reference to why the Mariners have struggled.

This is all in response to a popular post titled "The Mariners are dead last in MLB runs scored", which is depressing just on its face, but actually has some damning material if you dig into it.

Dan Wilson's in-game decision-making, unfortunately, has only exacerbated this anemic offense. You can read up about it in the Seattle Times, but it comes down to this: Dan's platoon management decisions (see my Colt Emerson coverage) have been questionable, his pinch-hitting calls have been suspect, and his bullpen management has been abjectly insane, calling on a rattled Bazardo time and time again.

There is also an element of 'a head must roll' to this. These Mariners need a shock to their system to get them out of their current skid, which could legitimately prove fatal to their playoff chances if they don't snap out of it.

Mariners Dan Wilson replacements

The meme-ers of Mariners fandom would like Wilson replaced by an old favorite.

"I see your “bring back Scott Servais” and I raise you “a bring back Lloyd McClendon," @MarinersMenace remarks on X, speaking on a potential Dan Wilson departure. The Lloyd McClendon highlight tape quickly followed: