The Seattle Mariners have parted ways with manager Scott Servais in an effort to revive their faltering season. Dan Wilson, a former Mariners catcher with a long history with the team, will step in as the interim manager.
The decision was made by Jerry Dipoto, the Mariners’ president of baseball operations, following a disappointing three-game sweep against the Los Angeles Dodgers that marked the team’s eighth loss out of nine games. The Mariners had a commanding 10-game lead in the American League West on June 18 but have since struggled, posting a 20-33 record and falling five games behind the Houston Astros with just 34 games left in the season.
“It’s hard to believe how quickly everything changed from mid-June to now,” Dipoto remarked during a videoconference.
In addition to Servais, hitting coach Jarret DeHart was also dismissed, just months after offensive coordinator Brant Brown’s exit. While the Mariners boast a highly regarded pitching staff leading the majors in ERA, they have struggled significantly with their batting, ranking last in batting average and near the bottom in several offensive categories.
“We collectively determined that a change was necessary,” Dipoto explained. “We needed to infuse a new voice and energy into our clubhouse. I have immense respect for Scott and all he has brought to the team, but we felt this was crucial for our future.”
Scott Servais has held the managerial position since the 2016 season, accumulating a record of 680 wins and 642 losses, making his winning percentage the second-best in Mariners history. He joined the Mariners after his tenure with the Los Angeles Angels, during which the team experienced three consecutive playoff misses and entered into a rebuilding phase that brought young talents like Julio Rodriguez and Cal Raleigh into the spotlight.
Despite ending a 21-year playoff drought with a commendable 90-win season in 2022, the team fell short of the postseason in 2023, largely due to a lack of offensive production in September. The front office had hoped to boost the offense through low-cost acquisitions, which, unfortunately, did not meet expectations.
Even with the best team ERA in Major League Baseball, the Mariners find themselves five games out of a playoff position, grappling with a .216 batting average and other offensive struggles. New additions to the roster have also underperformed.
After the recent loss to the Dodgers, Servais spoke briefly with the players and encouraged them to use the upcoming day off to regroup. However, he learned of his dismissal through media reports the next morning prior to a planned meeting with Dipoto.
“It was already challenging to make this decision, and that added another layer of difficulty,” Dipoto reflected regarding the situation. “I’ve known Scott for many years, and this was a tough day for both of us.”
In a statement, Servais expressed gratitude for his time with the Mariners, calling it “one of the greatest honors of my career.” He thanked the players, the franchise, and the fans for their support during his tenure.
Wilson, 55, who played for the Mariners from 1994 to 2005 and has held various roles within the organization, now steps up to lead the team amidst evident challenges. Dipoto highlighted Wilson’s supportive nature and hopes it will be enough to spark a turnaround.
“Our objective is to have this team compete for a postseason spot in the coming six weeks,” Dipoto stated. “Despite recent struggles, we firmly believe in the talent present in this team. There is still time to make a strong finish.”