Seattle added a centerfielder who's never played center field and is entirely dependent on batting average, in a stadium that historically suppresses batting average. He's the sort of player who cannot take advantage of the juiced baseballs, which lowers his upside as well. The Mariners gave up 3 prospects, including their second-best pitching prospect, in part to add international bonus money that will not get back a player as good as the pitcher they gave up. Whatever international players are added are just for trading, because Dipoto has zero interest in maintaining or improving the farm in any way that does not treat them as pure trade commodities.
They whiffed on Ohtani, and Gordon blows up their budget for signing other domestic improvements. That makes it tougher to add the arm(s) they'll need to compete.
Meanwhile Luiz Gohara broke in with the Braves last year and Neidert will probably break in with the Marlins this year, playing a #4 starter role for 8 figures less a season than Leake will for us. Seattle will probably trade for another starter, but it'll have to be outfielders that go. With the continuing knee problems of Kyle Lewis, his All-Star caliber talent won't get that kind of return, so if he gets moved it will be for less that it should be. More likely Heredia goes for a bullpen arm or something and we roll three #6 starters out there looking for pitching spots.
It's a big whiff.
Plus now every time someone says Seattle and Gordon together for the next several years I'll think they're talking about me, and it'll be really annoying. Of course, being annoying is probably Seattle's marketing slogan for 2018.
"Seattle Mariners: still annoying their fans since 2001. Also, watch as we celebrate the 2001 season all over again..."
Jerry always has plans B, C, D and E, but so far I haven't seen that those plans are ever good plans. They just tread water. This roster is aging out and Seattle doesn't have the minors stocked to replace them. I get his need to swing now, because if it doesn't happen now with an ace restock to build the next iteration around it will be hard to make it happen ever.
Jerry's just not making enough contact.