Mariners Playoffs Odds Getting Better Despite Massive Offseason Overhaul

• A fast start to the 2018 season powered the Mariners to their best record since 2003
• A dismal second half spurred massive roster overhaul during offseason
• The moves are unlikely to produce immediate results, but have dramatically improved M’s stable of prospects

It was a tough offseason for fans of the Seattle Mariners, as the club unexpectedly embarked on a winter fire sale despite finishing last season with their best record since 2003.

However, after opening the 2019 MLB season in Japan with a pair of wins over the Oakland A’s, the Mariners are making gains on their odds to qualify for the MLB Postseason, climbing from +1000 to +700 across a number of top online sportsbooks.

2019 American League Playoff Odds

*Odds taken 03/22/19

Fast Start to 2018 Kept Mariners in Contention into July

The Mariners were among the best teams in the majors during the first half of last season, and entered the Fourth of July holiday closely trailing the Houston Astros in the AL West standings with a 55-31 record.

Mariners win as Seattle is reminded how beautiful baseball can be https://t.co/l1VB8zFLuM pic.twitter.com/QXK3nknzWl

— Lookout Landing (@LookoutLanding) June 16, 2018

But it was all downhill from there, with a subsequent 8-17 run quickly dumping the M’s out of postseason contention for a 17th straight season, and leaving them struggling to play .500 ball over the second half of the season.

Dismal Finish, Feeble Offense Spurred Major Offseason Changes

The offseason changes in Seattle were swift and merciless. In addition to allowing eight aging veterans to leave town via free agency, the Mariners also pulled the trigger on a series of trades that has changed the face of a club that ranked 11th in runs scored last season.

The offseason changes in Seattle were swift and merciless.

Gone are infielders Jean Segura and Robinson Cano, starter James Paxton, catcher Mike Zuzino, slugger Nelson Cruz, and reliever Alex Colomé. In addition, the club parted ways with closer Edwin Diaz, and his major league-leading 57 saves, in a multi-player deal with the New York Mets. Ichiro Suzuki has also called it a career after making just 15 appearances last season.

Seattle Mariners now have their rebuild anchors – Call to the Pen https://t.co/jqPHRdyd0Y

— Sea Mariner show (@SeaMarinershow) January 2, 2019

While the Mariners added hard-hitting veterans Jay Bruce and Edwin Encarnacion, they also got younger with the addition of 26-year-old outfielder Domingo Santana, and starters Marco Gonzalez (27-years-old) and Yusei Kikuchi (28-years-old).

Mariners Unlikely to Keep Pace in Tough AL West

Seattle’s fast start in two dates this week at the Tokyo Dome bodes well. However, the offseason moves provide no immediate improvement over last season’s on-field product. In addition, the Mariners must still contend against the Astros, who sit perched as massive -600 favorites to once again finish atop the division.

Can the LA Angels Win the AL West in 2019? #Angels https://t.co/mqpcnX5TJF pic.twitter.com/S5QmYeTMm5

— Angels Report (@angels_fanly) January 26, 2019

Both last season’s second wild card winner, the Oakland A’s, and the Los Angeles Angels sport -110 odds of winning OVER 83.5 games, well ahead of the Mariners lag as a -115 bet. You can see a full list of projections at our 2019 MLB Win Totals Tracker.

The A’s and Angels are also pegged at +225 and +275 respectively on the odds to reach the postseason.

Twins Poised to Make Gains in Weak AL Central

But even if the Mariners can stay ahead of their divisional rivals, they will be hard pressed to keep pace for in the AL Wild Card. In addition to the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox, who join the Astros at the top of the World Series odds, the Minnesota Twins are looking ready to take the next step after enjoying a breakthrough during last year’s season-ending 13-6 run.

https://twitter.com/ryahanson/status/1108486100266426368

The Twins should feast on weak divisional opponents in the AL Central, and provide exceptional value as a +215 bet to make the postseason. Minnesota also has +400 odds to win the AL Central and bring an end to the Cleveland Indians’ three-year reign atop the division.

Offseason Moves Position Mariners for Long-Term Improvement

However, all is not lost for long suffering Mariners fans. General manager Jerry Dipoto has done an admirable job of restocking the prospect cupboard with his wheeling and dealing.

MLB preview 2019: The Seattle Mariners are in a better place than they were last year – Bless You Boys https://t.co/elxxYXsSiT pic.twitter.com/o638Ffp1U4

— Seattle Informer (@seattleinformer) March 21, 2019

The Seattle Mariners farm system has added some top notch talent that need to be on your radar in Dynasty leagues. Read about them and the rest of the top prospects in this system in @EricCross04 top-25 Mariners prospects.#FantasyBaseballhttps://t.co/6kNn24KSLs

— Fantrax (@Fantrax) January 16, 2019

The Mariners’ youthful lineup this week in Japan featured seven new faces with fewer than 10 years of major league experience, and a number of the club’s top prospects look poised to see action with the big club at some point this season, including pitchers Justus Sheffield and Justin Dunn, and first baseman Evan White.