The 2014 Mariners entered July at 45-38, just 5.5 games back of the division lead. They were just 2 games back of the Angels for the top wildcard spot and up 1.5 games on the Orioles. Seattle had made their big splash in the winter of 2013, signing Robinson Cano to one of the largest contracts in baseball history.
On top of Cano’s first season, Kyle Seager was in the midst of a breakout season, on his way to his only All-Star game appearance, a Gold Glove, and a 6.3 bWAR. But aside from Cano and Seager, the Mariners offense was anemic.