SEATTLE – The Seattle Mariners end the year on Sunday. And 2024 will likely go down as one of the franchise’s most disappointing seasons in recent memory, if not one of the most disappointing years in team history.

But as much as Mariners fans probably don’t want to hear it, there was some good stuff this season: the best starting rotation in the league, a career-best season from Cal Raleigh and a career resurgence from Victor Robles, to name a few .

And several Seattle players are being recognized by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA) for their strong seasons.

Raleigh was named the Mariners’ Most Valuable Player, Logan Gilbert received the team’s Most Valuable Pitcher award and Andres Munoz received the Unsung Hero award.

All three players deserve this award. Munoz and Gilbert were both named to the All-Star selection for the first time this season. Gilbert joined the 200-inning/200-strikeout club and Munoz set a new career high with 22 saves. Munoz has a 2.12 ERA in 60 appearances this season as of Friday and Gilbert has a 3.33 ERA in 32 starts.

Raleigh set new career highs in home runs (31) and RBIs (96 – the most by a catcher in a year in franchise history). In addition to his Silver Slugger-worthy stats, he also picked up the Gold Glove. He led or co-led the league in runners caught stealing for most of the season and leads the majors in defensive runs saved.

“I can only be clear on these three points over the last 30 days,” Mariners manager Dan Wilson said in a pregame interview on Friday. “But what they’ve accomplished, what a job they’ve done – if you look at what Logan has accomplished, going 200 innings, that’s certainly a big milestone for him. And that’s not easy in this league.” He had an incredible season. … And then, Cal, behind the plate, the things he was able to accomplish: the 30 home runs, the ability to throw runners out at great speed and then his leadership on that pitching staff.

“This was a very successful pitching team and that doesn’t happen without good battery mates. And when you look at what he and (Mitch Garver) have done behind the plate with this group, it’s impressive. And then with (Munoz), you have to have that back-end guy that you can trust. And (Munoz) has been that guy for us and played in some big games here, especially here on the track in the most difficult situations and with the highest leverage. And he could deliver.”

Given the seasons these three and several other players played, it is even more disappointing for Seattle fans that the team failed to secure a playoff spot.

But these three also highlight an impressive core of players that should be able to lead the Mariners back to the playoffs.

If the team actually capitalizes on it.

FORMER MARINERS PITCHER OFFERS AL WEST RIVALS HISTORIC LOSS: Former Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Chris Flexen handed the Los Angeles Angels, based in the basement of the American League West, a historic defeat on Thursday. CLICK HERE

ADAMES JOINS A-ROD INTO THE STORY: Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Willy Adames, along with former Seattle Mariners legend Alex Rodriguez, is one of only two players in history to achieve a highly impressive feat. CLICK HERE

MARINERS ELIMINATED FROM PLAYOFF COMPETITION: The Seattle Mariners’ postseason dreams came to an end as the Kansas City Royals and Detroit Tigers came from behind to win on Thursday. CLICK HERE

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