Speaking on Thursday's edition of 'Fair Territory, longtime MLB Insider Ken Rosenthal said that he is "rather confident" that the Seattle Mariners will move on from manager Dan Wilson after this season.

This is not necessarily surprising, as we've heard from multiple national personalities that Wilson is expected to be replaced at the conclusion of the season if the team fails to make the playoffs, and it certainly seems that will be the case.

The Mariners entered play on Thursday at 68-78 and 6.5 games back of the Houston Astros in the American League West with 16 games to play. It's been a dreadful season for Seattle, who has put out the league's worst offense, which has been compounded by a regressing starting rotation, an overtaxed bullpen and a rather complex injury situation, especially early in the season.

When you've had a season like the Mariners have had, that started with the expectations they did, everything on the table is fair.

I've said all along that I don't believe this whole mess is Wilson's fault, and I've also said all along that I believe he deserves a second full season after getting to the American League Championship Series in 2025.

Initially, I felt that Wilson deserved to start year three in order to serve as kind of a "tiebreak" between one good year and one bad year, but now I think the Mariners have enough of a complete picture to make a decision one way or the other.

If they want to keep Wilson, then they should back him 100 percent this offseason. If they don't trust that he's the guy to right this ship, then just move on now rather than testing the waters for 30 games or so in 2027, especially when we don't know how the labor situation is going to impact the season ahead. 

Wilson is a legend and a member of the Mariners Hall of Fame. He is a foundational part of M's history. If they are going to move on from him, it needs to be done tastefully and with proper reverence for his career. He is one of the most well-liked players in team history, and deservedly so. 

That matters in how the M's handle things moving forward.

Also, when Scott Servais was fired in 2024, Rosenthal seemed to be the reporter the most on top of that, so his assertions should be taken seriously. 

The most recent 'Refuse to Lose Territory' podcast, featuring ESPN MLB Insider Buster Olney, is out. You can listen here, or you can watch the video in the YouTube player below.