Is it Time For the Seattle Mariners to Move on From Scott Servais?
The Seattle Mariners are out to a listless 4-7 start this season, which begs the question, do they need to make a managerial change and move on from Scott Servais? He's 620-585 in his career but has only one playoff appearance in eight full seasons.
The Seattle Mariners are out to a generally listless 4-7 start this season and the questions are being raised about the future of M's manager Scott Servais.
Popular Mariners "X" user @MarinerMuse posted the question on Monday about how followers feel about Servais.
Thirty-eight percent of nearly 2,000 respondents said they would fire him, while 32 said "wait and see" and 30 said "relax, don't be ridiculous."
The data is certainly inconclusive based on that poll, but the question will continue to be asked as long as the Mariners scuffle.
Servais is in his ninth season with the M's, helping them oversee a lengthy rebuild process that began in 2019. He has a winning record at 620-585 but has only been to the playoffs one time in the eight full seasons he's been in Seattle. As is usually the case when talking about potential staff changes, the issue is complicated, so let's examine:
1) Servais is a generally likeable guy. He has a calming and optimistic disposition and for a young team with a lot of young players over the last few years, that's a good mentality to have. However, the M's aren't as young anymore, with most key players having been in the program for somewhere between 3-5 years. Is there a chance that the team needs a manager who is willing to ramp up the pressure? Is there a chance that the message is no longer getting through? Think back to the Boston Bruins, who fired a very good head coach in Bruce Cassidy in the NHL despite very good records and getting to a Stanley Cup Finals... they had had success but made the move anyways, seeking a new voice. They then set the NHL single-season points record in 2022-2023.
2) If you think Servais deserves more time, perhaps it's because he's been the victim of some bad circumstance. He's won 88 games or more in each of the last three years but has only been to the playoffs one time. He can't help it that he plays in the division with the Astros and Rangers, and he really can't help that ownership hasn't invested in the way it said it would a few years ago....
3) On that last point.... the Mariners haven't spent on this roster the way they should have. They haven't done enough to help the offense and haven't made bullpen splashes, either. Can you blame the manager for managing with one hand tied behind his back?
No matter how you feel, the stats are undeniable. The M's are 24th in baseball in batting average (.212) and second in strikeouts (113), so something has to change.
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