2008 Seattle Mariners season

MLB yearly infobox
name = Seattle Mariners
season = 2008
misc =

current league = American League
y1 = 1977
division = Western Division
y2 = 1977
Uniform
ballpark = Safeco Field
y4 = 1999
city = Seattle, Washington
y5 = 1977
owners = Nintendo of America, represented by Howard Lincoln
managers = John McLaren
(dismissed June 20)
Jim Riggleman
television = None
FSN Northwest (cable)
radio = KOMO 1000 AM|

The by|2008 Seattle Mariners season was the 32nd Major League Baseball season in the team's history. Coming off the heels of the previous 2007 season, in which the M's finished with their first winning record since 2003, the team was widely expected to once again compete for the American League West division championship. The team was bolstered by some major roster additions during the previous offseason, most notably starting pitchers Erik Bedard and Carlos Silva. However, by the end of May, it became apparent that the team had gone back to its losing ways of the 2004-06 seasons. Despite their losing ways, they won their first and last game of the season. Their longest winning-streak of the season is 4 games after a Cleveland sweep at the end of August and a 12-6 win against the Texas Rangers on the first day of September. However, standing at 57-87, their longest losing-streak of the season is 12 games, 11 on the road, 1 at home, after being swept by the L.A. Angels, Kansas City Royals, Oakland Athletics, and suffering a loss at the last homestand opener against the L.A. Angels. By September 21st, the Mariners were standing at 57-99 after a tough road trip and homestand opener and were only two losses away from becoming the first 100-100 Club, meaning the first club to spend $100 million in payroll and lose at least 100 or more games. On September 22nd, the M's won their 58th game of the season and stood at 99 losses, just 1 away from the big 100. The following day, they became the first club to spend $100 million in payroll and lose 100 games by losing to the Angels 5-4 and stood at 58-100. The team finished the season with a 61-101 (.377) record, last in the American League and second worst in the majors.

With the team underperforming and underachieving, a number of people who had become scapegoats for the team's underperformance were dismissed during the season, most notably general manager Bill Bavasi, field manager John McLaren, first baseman Richie Sexson, and designated hitter Jose Vidro.

Offseason

*December 20, by|2007 Signed free agent RHP Carlos Silva
*January 8, by|2008 Signed free agent INF Miguel Cairo
*January 31, by|2008 Signed free agent OF Brad Wilkerson
*February 8, by|2008 Traded OF Adam Jones, LHP George Sherrill, and minor league pitchers Tony Butler, Chris Tillman and Kam Mickolio to the Baltimore Orioles for LHP Erik Bedard
*Dismissed all coaches hired under Mike Hargrove except hitting coach Jeff Pentland and hired former MLB managers Jim Riggleman (bench coach), Sam Perlozzo (third base coach), and Lee Elia (special assistant to the manager), as well as Mel Stottlemyre (pitching coach), Norm Charlton (bullpen coach), and Eddie Rodriguez (first base coach).

Regular season

eason standings

Record vs. Opponents

25-Man Roster