The Seattle Mariners finally did it. They didn't just "compete" or "stay in the hunt" until the final week of September. In 2025, they actually took the crown.
If you've been checking the Seattle Mariners MLB standings over the last decade, you're used to seeing that "GB" column (Games Back) hover around three or four, usually while chasing the Houston Astros. But the 2025 season flipped the script. Seattle finished with a 90-72 record, securing the American League West title for the first time in over two decades.
Honestly, the way it happened was a total roller coaster. They didn't just cruise into the postseason. They clawed through a summer where the offense looked stagnant, only to ignite in August. By the time they clinched the division on September 24 against the Rockies, the city of Seattle was basically vibrating.
The Numbers That Defined the 2025 Standings
Looking back at the final Seattle Mariners MLB standings for the 2025 season, the gap between Seattle and Houston was tight. Just three games.
The Mariners' success was built on a foundation of "run prevention." That’s a fancy front-office term for "our pitchers are better than your hitters." They finished with a +72 run differential. While teams like the Yankees or Blue Jays were putting up massive offensive numbers, Seattle won by being absolute monsters at T-Mobile Park. They went 51-30 at home. If you were an opposing hitter walking into Seattle last year, you were basically walking into a woodchipper.
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How the AL West Settled
- Seattle Mariners: 90-72 (Division Champs)
- Houston Astros: 87-75 (3.0 GB)
- Texas Rangers: 81-81 (9.0 GB)
- Oakland Athletics: 76-86 (14.0 GB)
- Los Angeles Angels: 72-90 (18.0 GB)
It's wild to think that the Rangers, just two years removed from a World Series, finished exactly at .500. But the real story was Seattle’s dominance over their own division. They went 36-27 against AL West opponents. That’s where the division was won—in the trenches against the teams they saw the most.
Why 2026 Feels Different
Right now, as we sit in January 2026, the standings are all zeros. Every team is 0-0. But the vibes? The vibes are significantly higher in the Pacific Northwest.
Jerry Dipoto, the President of Baseball Operations, has been vocal about the "starting point" for this year’s payroll. We're looking at roughly $166 million. That’s franchise-record territory. They aren't just trying to maintain; they’re trying to build a sustained winner.
The big move this offseason was securing Josh Naylor to a five-year deal. You don’t give a guy a five-year contract with a no-trade clause unless you plan on him being the heart of your lineup. Pairing him with Julio Rodríguez and Cal Raleigh gives Seattle a middle-of-the-order that actually scares people.
The Pitching Factory
We can't talk about the Mariners' place in the standings without mentioning the rotation. It’s arguably the best in baseball.
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- Luis Castillo: The steady ace.
- Logan Gilbert: The workhorse who just avoided arbitration with a new deal.
- George Kirby: The strike-zone master.
- Bryce Miller: The rising star with the "invisiball" four-seamer.
- Bryan Woo: The guy who, when healthy, has the best pure stuff on the staff.
When your "worst" starter is someone most teams would kill to have as their #2, you’re going to win a lot of series. That's why FanGraphs and other projection models already have the Mariners at the top of the 2026 power rankings.
The "Make or Break" Pieces
Despite the AL West title, there are holes. Third base is a giant question mark. Eugenio Suárez is still out there in free agency, and honestly, a reunion makes a lot of sense. The team is currently looking at Ben Williamson or potentially a prospect like Colt Emerson later in the year, but relying on rookies to defend a division title is a risky bet.
Then there's the outfield. Randy Arozarena is back, which is huge for the "edge" he brings to the clubhouse. But he’s streaky. One week he looks like an MVP, the next he’s striking out on three pitches. Victor Robles and Luke Raley provide great depth, but the Mariners need one more "sure thing" bat to really distance themselves from Houston in the 2026 standings.
Practical Steps for Mariners Fans Heading into Spring Training
If you're tracking the Seattle Mariners MLB standings for the upcoming season, here is how you should evaluate the team's health and readiness during Spring Training in Peoria:
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- Watch the Strikeout Rates: In 2025, the Mariners' biggest weakness was the "K." If Arozarena and the bottom of the order can't cut down on the swing-and-miss, the offense will remain volatile.
- Monitor the Bullpen Health: With Matt Brash and Gabe Speier coming back, the bridge to Andrés Muñoz looks strong. But relievers are famously fickle. Keep an eye on the velocity of the mid-inning guys.
- The Second Base Battle: Cole Young is the future, but Ryan Bliss might be the "now." Whoever wins the job in March will dictate how high the floor is for the bottom of the lineup.
- Check the Payroll Room: Dipoto mentioned having about $30-35 million in flexibility. If they don't sign a big bat before February, expect them to keep that powder dry for a massive mid-season trade, much like they did with Naylor last year.
The 2025 AL West title wasn't a fluke; it was the result of a pitching staff that refused to blink. As the 2026 season approaches, the Mariners are no longer the hunters—they are the hunted. Keeping that top spot in the standings will require more than just "vibes"—it will require the offense to finally catch up to the elite arms on the mound.