An improbable list of things that went right in Mariners’ doomed 2026 season

Writing for Sodo Mojo, Sydney Jones highlights several key positives from the Seattle Mariners' otherwise disappointing 2026 campaign. Jones points to breakthrough seasons from designated hitter Dominic Canzone, who achieved career bests with an .820 OPS, and second-year infielder Cole Young. Pitcher Emerson Hancock also emerged as a solid starting rotation member, posting a 3.57 ERA across the season.

The writer further commends the club's decision to trade Luis Castillo before his decline, alongside the successful MLB promotions of prospects Colt Emerson, Kade Anderson, Lazaro Montes, and Michael Arroyo. Additionally, impending free agent Randy Arozarena delivered a standout season, scoring 113 runs to rank second across Major League Baseball.