SEATTLE — Before the Mariners’ final game of one of their most disappointing seasons in franchise history, manager Dan Wilson informed players and staff Sunday morning that he will not return to his role in 2027, multiple sources told MLB.com. The message was delivered by Wilson during a pregame huddle before the Mariners’ 7-3 victory over the Angels in Game 162 and shortly after the doors were closed to the media. After the game, Wilson confirmed the leadership change, which is also expected to include changes among Wilson’s coaching staff. However, among that group, director of pitching strategy Trent Blank and pitching coach Pete Woodworth will return, according to sources, and each is under contract for two more seasons. Furthermore, as MLB.com reported last week, president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto and general manager Justin Hollander are expected to return in 2027. At the beginning of his postgame press conference, Wilson read a prepared statement and then answered questions. “This season has been very difficult and of course the results have not been what we expected,” Wilson said. “As a result, it is concluded that today is my last day as manager of the Seattle Mariners. “I am still processing this with my family, and it is a very difficult day. We love this city. We love this community and appreciate the organization for what it has meant to the family since we arrived here as players in ’94. We feel extremely blessed for all the opportunities we have been given.” Dipoto, who will hold a press conference on Monday, also issued a statement. “As a whole, we fell short of our expectations this season,” Dipoto said. “Dan and I care deeply about this organization, these players and the future of the Mariners. After much discussion, it was concluded that it is best to go in a new direction for 2027 and beyond.” Wilson added that the organization “has expressed interest in playing a role in the future,” but did not delve into details of what that might entail, other than it will need time to process that decision. Mariners president and managing partner John Stanton also issued a statement. “I want to thank Dan for the job he has done as a coach,” Stanton said. “I also spoke with Dan and let him know. Of course we would like to keep him in our organization. I look forward to continuing conversations as we work to identify a role where we can continue to benefit from his experience and commitment to the Mariners and our community.” Wilson added that he remains on good terms with the organization. “Of course,” Wilson said. “This is just a matter of being able to step back a little bit, like I said, and process for a minute and start looking at options within the organization.” He was also asked if this was a mutual decision or one made by the front office. “I’ve been in baseball for a while and this is what It happens,” Wilson said. “Managers take the blame and the responsibility. And this is obviously difficult. And my family and I, like I said, are still processing it and we’ll get through it.” Sunday’s development came the morning Seattle finished the 2026 regular season with a 76-86 record and in third place in the American League West. It’s a division that virtually the entire industry (including the Mariners themselves) believed they would be favorites to win. Instead, a combination of an underperforming offense, inconsistent starting pitching, a beleaguered bullpen that got hit in the second half, the sport’s worst defense by most advanced metrics and a series of self-inflicted mistakes ended up sealing their fate. For all of these reasons, along with the legitimate World Series aspirations that emerged from spring training, the Mariners were arguably the most disappointing team in MLB in 2026. Wilson was not the only guilty figure, but he was a centerpiece of their shortcomings. Several members of the club’s staff, including players, coaches and front office officials, indicated to MLB.com that at different stages. of the season the Mariners notably lacked accountability, and that many of these issues came from the top down. That was especially true as the year reached its most dangerous points, those sources said. Since they were officially eliminated Thursday, players have used the word “accountability” in multiple interviews as a major factor in what went wrong. Wilson was also asked about accountability Sunday morning, specifically, whether it was missing. different,” Wilson said. “And maybe it could have been something. Obviously, I think if you look back, there are a lot of things you can point to, and maybe that’s one of them. I think that’s definitely an essential part of what happens. “And that can come from the coaches. It can come from the clubhouse. It can come from a lot of different places, and I think it’s obviously one of those areas that we continue to look at and make our adjustments, as there are also other areas where things can improve.” To be sure, several players, including Cal Raleigh, Julio Rodriguez, Josh Naylor, Logan Gilbert and Bryan Woo, went on record this week that much of the blame in ’26 fell on them. Each member of that group, except Gilbert, experienced a regression this season that, together, was another of the club’s biggest obstacles. That said, the club determined that it was becoming increasingly clear that leadership changes were necessary, for a team that is firmly in a win-now window but has made just two postseason appearances (2022, 2025) since emerging from its rebuild in 2021. After the game, Wilson was also asked if he had any regrets. “I’m just going to respond by saying this has been a lot to process,” Wilson said. “And obviously I wish everyone the best and continued success as they move forward, and I continue to work through all the emotions that are going on.” Wilson just finished his second full season after being hired in August 2024 to replace Scott Servais. This was his first full-time managerial position, after being promoted from special assignment coordinator on the minor league side. At the time, his promotion didn’t come with an interim tag. Wilson finished with a 187-171 record, which included the American League West Division title in 2025 and, that same year, the franchise’s fourth appearance in the American League Championship Series. The Mariners, who already have a number of questions entering the offseason, will now immediately face the most critical: Who will replace him and what criteria will they look for? These are questions for Dipoto on Monday, who will now be tasked with hiring just his third coach as he heads into his 12th season at the helm of Seattle’s front office.
