New Year’s resolutions rarely become reality.
We make them anyway.
This is a credit to our eternal optimism, our belief in a better self, our ability to aspire in the face of annual defeat. It’s our boxing match against a brick wall, our trudge toward a sneering summit. It’s our personal pledge to save more money, to cut out sweets, to sleep more or drink less, to ask out Meagan from marketing, to incrementally improve. It’s a marathon or a house or an alarm clock that bullies you out of bed.
It’s hopeful, or hopeless, depending on the day.
It can apply, of course, to people — or a city’s sports teams.
So, as the calendar fatefully flips, here are five resolutions for our local teams to reach for in 2025.
This is an all-encompassing request.
But it applies most to the Mariners, whose 1,625 strikeouts in 2024 were second-most in MLB history. Seattle’s scintillating starting rotation was wasted for a second consecutive season — thanks in part to an offense ranking 27th in doubles (228), and 29th in both hits (1,195) and batting average (.224).
It also applies to the 9-7 Seahawks, whose creaky offensive line has surrendered the fourth-most sacks (52) in the NFL. Despite an impressive array of skill players, Seattle sits 20th in red-zone touchdown percentage (53.8%) and 24th in third-down conversions (36.7%), as promising drives predictably die near the goal line.
It also applies to the Kraken — who sit 22nd in the NHL in goals per game (2.9), 22nd in power-play percentage (18.3%) and 23rd in shots (1,052), struggling to score for a second consecutive season.
It also applies to the Storm, who landed eighth out of 12 teams in the WNBA in field-goal percentage (43.5%) and dead last beyond the arc (28.8%), a talented unit limited by offensive inefficiency.
It also applies to UW men’s hoops — which currently sits 247th nationally in three-point percentage (32.5%) and 337th out of 364 teams in free-throw percentage (64.5%) under first-year coach Danny Sprinkle.
It also applies to the Sounders, who led MLS in goals against (35) … but squandered that defensive dominance. Seattle finished 18th in goals (49) and 25th in accurate shooting percentage (33.3%), while managing three total goals in four playoff games.
It also applies to the Reign, who traded for forward Lynn Williams — the NWSL’s all-time leading scorer — after finishing 11th out of 14 teams in goals (27) and dead last in assists (11) in 2024.
So, yeah, fix the offense. Is that too much to ask?
Accomplishing this might require an exorcism, considering the list of failed replacements for Robinson Cano.
There was Dee Strange-Gordon, whose WAR plummeted from 8.4 in three seasons in Miami to 1.8 during an unsatisfying three-season sequel in Seattle. There was Shed Long Jr., who hit .216 with 12 homers and a -0.4 WAR in parts of three seasons. There was Abraham Toro, who slashed .213/.276/.342 in a failed two-season experiment. There was Adam Frazier (who slashed .238/.301/.311 in 2022), Kolten Wong (.165/.241/.227 in 2023) and Jorge Polanco (.213/.296/.355 in 2024) — a trio of prized pickups with disappearing production.
There will not be Hyeseong Kim, the Korean product who decided to sign with the Dodgers on Friday.
That could conceivably leave the position — and any accompanying curses — to existing options such as Dylan Moore and Ryan Bliss.
Two teams. One weakness.
The Seahawks offensive line has been wracked with instability, thanks to the midseason retirement of starting center Connor Williams and injuries to right guard Anthony Bradford and right tackles George Fant and Abraham Lucas. The result is a rotating carousel that has struggled to protect quarterback Geno Smith and an offense that rushed for 93.8 yards per game (28th in the NFL).
The results five miles north haven’t been much better. After UW’s offensive line won the Joe Moore Award in 2023, that dominant front disbanded. With an inexperienced (and oft-injured) set of starters, UW ranked 91st nationally in yards per carry (3.96), 101st in rushing yards per game (128.77) and 117th in sacks allowed per game (3.0).
The Huskies have begun to fill those holes, adding Kansas State tackle Carver Willis and Oklahoma guard (and former Husky) Geirean Hatchett this winter. The Seahawks, meanwhile, have work to do to upgrade their interior.
The key to unlocking both offenses?
Strides along the lines.
The Cougs could certainly use good news, after standout quarterback John Mateer transferred to Oklahoma and coach Jake Dickert departed for Wake Forest in a destabilizing week. All told, there were 33 Cougs in the transfer portal as of Wednesday, according to The Spokesman-Review.
Can new coach Jimmy Rogers — who amassed a 27-3 record and an FCS title in two seasons at South Dakota State — provide weary WSU fans with a path forward? Can he re-recruit his roster, make meaningful additions via the transfer portal and win right away?
And if Rogers wins, will he and his players stay?
It would certainly help if standout quarterback Mark Gronowski and wide receiver Griffin Wilde follow Rogers from South Dakota State. The return of quarterback Zevi Eckhaus, who threw for 363 yards and three touchdowns in last week’s Holiday Bowl loss to Syracuse, is a welcome sight as well.
But Rogers’ task isn’t simply to install new systems and find players who fit. He must restore pride and enthusiasm around a program that has been brutalized by the professionalization of college sports. He must find a formula for replicable success, rather than the yearly rebuild currently required. He must mold a culture that can annually contend, and spend, in the new Pac-12.
Welcome to Pullman, coach.
Consider the star power that has recently resided in Seattle:
Griffey, Ichiro, Edgar, Felix, Sherm, Marshawn, Sue, Stewie, Rapinoe, etc.
(You know the longer list.)
Suddenly, this is a city without a superstar.
Mariners center fielder Julio Rodriguez — whose bat too often busted in 2024 — has yet to reach his prolific potential. Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba and defensive lineman Leonard Williams posted impressive numbers, but neither earned a Pro Bowl nod. Kraken center Matty Beniers was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 NHL draft but has yet to replicate his impressive rookie season. Storm guard Jewell Loyd set the WNBA scoring record in 2023 … while shooting just 37%. The Storm’s Nneka Ogwumike and Skylar Diggins-Smith and the Reign’s Lynn Williams are likely in the twilight of terrific careers.
But as for a Seattle superstar at the peak of their powers?
Maybe Rodriguez will reach that mantle in 2025. Maybe Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon, or Smith-Njigba, will continue to ascend. Maybe Beniers or Shane Wright will carry the inconsistent Kraken. Maybe a Mariners pitcher will reach Cy Young status. Maybe UW quarterback Demond Williams Jr. will outshine his modest measurables.
Maybe we don’t know their name yet.
If resolutions become reality, soon enough, we will.
The opinions expressed in reader comments are those of the author only and do not reflect the opinions of The Seattle Times.
