THE CHEAP SEATS with STEVE CAMERON: Mariners finally in first, but could use some relief

The Mariners must be waiting.

I can’t think of another reason boss Jerry Dipoto would leave this current gang on the field every night.

Yeah, they lead the AL West by a gnat’s eyelash, and Baseball Reference gives them a 90 percent chance to make the playoffs.

Lying around the pool with that puny 34-32 record coming into Monday comes with a “Danger” tag attached.

There’s not much you can see about this team that suggests it will eventually come bombing into the postseason — then make America sit up and take notice.

Granted, it would help to have Cal Raleigh and Brendan Donovan back in the lineup.

Do you suppose either of them could get a big base hit?

Hell, can ANYBODY get one?

The Mariners are hitting .220 with runners in scoring position, which would be the bottom of MLB’s barrel if the Padres hadn’t stumbled through a terrible week that’s left them at .215 in that category.

The Mariners aren’t a rallying team.

They’re a bunch that remains creeping around .500 and holding off Texas by hitting enough home runs (fourth overall) that they can see out plenty of big, comfortable leads.

SO FAR, that plan to get ahead 5-3 or 4-1 — then hang on to win — has spent a lot of time in the dumpster.

That’s why I started this chat by asking if the Mariners were waiting on a plan of some sort?

Think about it.

They’re not a team that shuts the door on a thriller very often.

Mainly because closer Andres Munoz has lost his mojo (or the juice in his right arm), the M’s have blown 14 games so far.

Munoz has squandered six late leads, including Sunday in the ninth inning at Detroit, and the wobbly bullpen has spread out the losses among them.

Still, the spotlight is on Munoz, the big man who has carried them for three years.

Consider: Munoz has logged nine saves this season (with those six blow-ups) in 25 appearances.

A year ago, Andres bagged 38 saves and blew just the seven in 64 games.

It’s easier to put together a bullpen when you have a horse to finish things off.

The Mariners were even more fortunate a year ago with the nearly unhittable Matt Brash lurking around to pitch the seventh or eighth inning.

You might be thinking, right now in fact, that Dan Wilson should wake up from his nap and put Brash in the closer role.

Now.

It’s a temptation, but Brash missed almost all of 2025 with knee surgery, and the Mariners are trying not to tax him.

There isn’t really anyone else on the roster who could inherit the Munoz role and make you feel confident.

IF THE Mariners are going to stick with their current plan (bash a few homers, pray that the lead is big enough for cruise control), Dipoto can only give Munoz another couple of ninth-inning chances before he has to do something.

Like, trade.

One logical target (if you burn his birth certificate) is Boston closer Aroldis Chapman.

You’d think the 38-year-old Chapman would be spending seasons on the couch by now, but instead, he’s still pumping triple-digit fastballs that are damn hard to hit.

Chapman has given up one run in 19 2/3 innings so far (1.46 ERA), with nine saves (26 Ks, 9 BBs).

The Red Sox are rebuilding once again and would make a good trading partner.

The only issue is that Chapman obviously can’t go out and blow hitters away five nights per week anymore.

In fact, the M’s would have to use him a bit like Brash.

If Seattle is going to make a serious playoff run this year, Dipoto will need TWO good relievers to help carry the load.

Let’s hope Jerry learned the lesson and fills up the pen ahead of time next year.

San Diego traded with the A’s for flamethrower Mason Miller during the spring, and Miller is helping carry the Padres to pennant contention.

Got it, Jerry?

Email: [email protected]

Steve Cameron’s “Cheap Seats” columns appear in The Press three times each week, normally Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday unless, you know, stuff happens.

Steve suggests you take his opinions in the spirit of a Jimmy Buffett song: “Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On.”