Donn Beach wrote: ↑Sun Aug 16, 2026 7:11 pm
Like i keep pointing out, the key is actually getting to 54% for a decade. When jerry accomplishes that we can argue about it
The Seattle Mariners’ winning percentage over the last 5 full seasons (2021–2025) is .547 (443 wins – 367 losses in 810 games)
I'm not really saying Jerry is some baseball genius. I'm not saying I would be terribly upset if he was fired. I'm just saying he's not some bumbling idiot that has no idea what he's doing. They went to game 7 of the ALCS last year. You can focus on how lucky that was, and you'll be proving my point. Unless you go full Los Angeles Dodgers, it's always going to require some luck. Some players overperforming.
With no salary cap, the way to win with low payroll is obvious. It doesn't take some baseball savant to pull it off. You go through rebuilding cycles. You sell off your talent, you stockpile prospects. You hope they pan out. You sign them to extensions to buy out some of their free agency. You deal some of them to fill out the roster when "go for it" time arrives. Dipoto has done all of this.
D-Trains comment that "other GMS are 20 games over .500 with less payroll" is pointless. What matters is the formula. What exactly are they doing that Jerry is not doing?! Probably not much different in their approach.
For mid or low payroll teams a lot of it really comes down to how well the prospects end up performing.
Did you see the guy last night for the Cardinals? He hit 3 home runs in his first 3 MLB at bats?
Some players are gonna be great no matter what. But another factor is the coaching and instruction they receive while coming up through the organization. I can't really complain about the pitchers that have been coming up. They've been great and been a cornerstone of the team's recent success. Gilbert, Kirby, Woo, Hancock.
But, it's also just luck. Baseball America tries to rate them all. GMs and their scouts try to evaluate. That's why I commented that no GM has a crystal ball. GMS miss all the time.
In short, he's doing a fine job. They've been more competitive in the last 5 years than they've been in two decades prior.
