The Seattle Mariners were on the verge of history.
They made it to Game 7 of the 2025 ALCS. They have never before played in a World Series, and they needed just a few more outs to get past the Toronto Blue Jays before coming up short.
Don't expect the Mariners to leave the picture in 2026.
In fact, ESPN's Buster Olney thinks Seattle will be the picture of the 2026 season. He predicts they'll win the World Series.
"This will be the year that Julio Rodriguez fully emerges as one of the game's best players, Cal Raleigh continues his reign as the best catcher in the majors and Colt Emerson is promoted to the big leagues in May and wins the AL Rookie of the Year Award," Olney wrote in a new article on Friday. "The Mariners are early in an extended period of dominance that will resemble what the Astros accomplished from 2015-24."
MORE: Team USA's projected WBC lineup is incredible
The Mariners took a big step right at the start of free agency by re-signing Josh Naylor after his brilliant run following his trade from the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Now, Seattle will have to figure out third base. As Olney alludes to, the answer might be in the system already with top prospect Colt Emerson.
If Emerson comes to the majors and supplements the likes of Rodriguez, Raleigh and Naylor, Seattle will have one of the most potent lineups in baseball.
Add in the fact that the rotation is still rather young and is also incredibly promising, and this Mariners team could accomplish anything.
Seattle fans will gladly align with Olney's thinking here. The Mariners may have a special season ahead, and many more to come.
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