The Seattle Mariners entered the 2026 season with expectations of taking control of the American League West, but after another inconsistent stretch, questions are beginning to surround several players on the roster including veteran shortstop J.P. Crawford.
Seattle was viewed by many analysts as the favorite in the division before Opening Day thanks to a dominant pitching staff, an improved lineup on paper, and a division that appeared vulnerable outside of the surprising Athletics. Instead, the Mariners have struggled to build momentum and currently sit below .500 at 20-22 after going 4-6 over their last 10 games.
The frustration surrounding the club has intensified because the American League West has remained wide open. Despite preseason expectations of a tightly contested race, no team other than the Athletics currently owns a winning record, giving Seattle a major opportunity that it has not fully capitalized on.
Several important players have underperformed offensively, including All-Star catcher Cal Raleigh. While there is little panic surrounding Raleigh because of his established production and power potential, the struggles of Crawford have generated more debate among fans and analysts.
Crawford is batting just .197 through 117 at-bats with four home runs, numbers that fall well below what Seattle expected from its longtime shortstop. Although his defensive value and clubhouse leadership remain respected throughout the organization, his offensive inconsistency has fueled speculation about whether the Mariners could eventually consider making a major infield change before the trade deadline.
That speculation increased after FanSided writer Chris Landers suggested Crawford could become a controversial trade candidate later this season.
“This one figures to be controversial,” Landers wrote while discussing potential deadline moves. “Crawford has been a mainstay at short in Seattle for years now, a solid two-way player and one of the game’s most likable figures to boot.” Landers also noted that despite the low batting average, Crawford’s overall offensive metrics remain closer to league average than many fans might expect.
Even so, moving on from Crawford would represent a significant organizational decision for Seattle.
The veteran infielder has been one of the franchise’s most recognizable and respected players over the last several years. Beyond his production on the field, Crawford has become an important clubhouse voice and a favorite among Mariners fans because of his consistency, leadership, and energy.
That combination makes the idea of a trade difficult to imagine unless Seattle receives a major upgrade elsewhere in the infield.
The Mariners also face a larger question about roster construction. While the pitching staff remains among baseball’s best when healthy, the offense has repeatedly struggled to produce consistently during key stretches. Seattle’s front office could eventually decide that improving the lineup requires aggressive changes, particularly if the team remains stuck around the .500 mark approaching the trade deadline.
Still, many around the organization believe Crawford’s value extends beyond traditional statistics. His defense at shortstop remains dependable, and advanced metrics continue showing strengths in contact quality and plate discipline despite the poor batting average.
For that reason, several analysts believe Seattle would be more likely to add offensive help around Crawford rather than replace him outright.
At the same time, pressure is beginning to mount on the Mariners because of expectations entering the season. With one of baseball’s strongest rotations and a relatively open division race, simply hovering below .500 has been viewed as disappointing by many fans.
Seattle still has enough talent to quickly turn things around, but the next several weeks could determine how aggressive the front office becomes ahead of the deadline.
For now, Crawford remains an important piece of the Mariners’ roster, even as outside speculation continues growing. Whether Seattle ultimately stays patient or explores larger roster moves later this summer may depend entirely on whether the club can finally begin playing like the division favorite many expected before the season began.
