Mariners receive 'D' grade from MLB insider that might be a bit too harsh

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May 24, 2026 - 18:34

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Mariners receive 'D' grade from MLB insider that might be a bit too harsh originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

It's not a secret that the 2026 season for the Seattle Mariners hasn't been a good one. They came into the year as World Series contenders, and heading into Memorial Day, they're a few games below .500.

Cal Raleigh is on the injured list, and before that was struggling mightily, and Brendan Donovan is also on the IL after being a big offseason trade pickup.

In handing out grades for every team's 2026 season so far, MLB insider for USA Today, Bob Nightengale, gave the Mariners a "D" grade.

"Seattle Mariners: D," Nightengale writes. "This team was supposed to run away and hide in the AL West after coming within one game of their first World Series a year ago."

While the 2026 season has been disappointing for the Mariners so far, a "D" grade might be a bit too harsh. Other teams are struggling much more than the Mariners, which don't have nearly the same optimism at this point in the year.

Mariners 'D' graded 2026 season so far is a bit too harsh

The Mariners are 25-28, and only 2.5 games behind the Athletics for the lead in the AL West. Even though they might be below .500 this season, they're still very much in the playoff race.

Raleigh and Donovan are both hurt, which has led to the disappointing season thus far. But they're set to come back this season, and once they do return, there's no reason not to have confidence in them.

The bullpen is strong, and even though there might be some questions about Luis Castillo and some of the other aging veterans, like J.P. Crawford, this team still has the talent to make the playoffs and go on a World Series run.

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So far, the season hasn't gone to plan, and a low grade is certainly warranted. But, a "D" might be a little bit too much.

If they were well behind the race in the AL West, then this grade would make sense. But, since they're still in the thick of the playoff hunt, the Mariners shouldn't receive such a negative grade for their 2026 season so far.

Even if it's only a D+ or as high as a C-, the Mariners haven't had a season bad enough or worrying enough to warrant a D grade. There's still reason to be optimistic about this team, which should bump it up from such a troubling grade.