The Seattle Mariners have emerged from a three-year interval of disintegration, ready for prospects, and an surprising season in competition. They’re now poised to finish the two-decade-old narrative that has overshadowed the franchise.
Playoffs? They’re a chance for this group of Mariners, and maybe even an expectation.
The stakes are increased after a 90-win marketing campaign that noticed Seattle in competition for the wild-card spot till the final day. After the 2018 season, Jerry Dipoto, president of baseball operations, appears to have accomplished the rebuild. Seattle begins the season with a robust rotation and a bullpen that’s able to producing some spectacular outcomes.
Which means that being a contender is unlikely to be sufficient for the starved fan base that has been ready 21 years since their final playoff sport.
Based mostly on the previous couple of years, we have now put ourselves in a fantastic place. Scott Servais, supervisor, mentioned that final yr was a giant assist. “I’m so excited. “I believed we had lots of momentum.”
Dipoto’s offseason strikes mirrored his perception that Seattle is poised for greater than a one-year run. Robbie Ray, the reigning AL Cy Younger champion, was his top-of-the rotation arm. The Mariners made a spring coaching commerce to accumulate All-Star Jesse Winker from Cincinnati and third baseman Eugenio Suarez from the Mariners.
To make their playoff desires come true, the Mariners will nonetheless depend on a number of unproven gamers. Jarred Kelenic must study from final season’s struggles and show that he’s one the most effective prospects in baseball. Chris Flexen should show that his 14 wins final yr weren’t a fluke. Mitch Haniger should keep wholesome and function the anchor in the midst of the order. Julio Rodriguez have to be able to play when he arrives on opening day, or shortly thereafter.
There are nonetheless many questions. If they’re answered in Seattle’s expectations, the Mariners may push Houston to the AL West.
Marco Gonzales, a starter, mentioned, “With all the joy surrounding our group, the fellows right here, and the momentum from final yr, how can one not be hungry?
RAY DAY
The Mariners signed Ray for 5 years at $115million. This was Seattle’s most vital offseason acquisition. Ray was dominant in Toronto final season, going 13-7 and posting a 2.48 ERA with 248 strikeouts.
Servais acknowledged, “There’s lots of presence, very clear thought about who he actually is.”
Ray’s arrival extends Seattle’s rotation. Gonzales, Chris Flexen, and Logan Gilbert full the highest 4 spots.
NEW LOOK
Ray was Seattle’s solely main free agent signing. Nonetheless, the Mariners gave the impression to be trying to strengthen their lineup via trades.
First, Adam Frazier from Pittsburgh was added to the group. He’s prone to be the common second baseman. Regardless that each of those points stay, the deal to herald Winker from Cincinnati and Suarez (from Cincinnati) solved them. Winker’s strengths are on the plate extra so than within the subject, and he’ll seemingly be the designated hitter for a lot of video games. Suarez is a unique participant than he was after his shoulder surgical procedure in 2020. He additionally has a decrease defensive rating than Kyle Seager, who offered the Mariners with third base for 11 seasons.
ROOKIES TO WATCH
Rodriguez would be the focus of all eyes. Rodriguez seems able to play within the majors, in keeping with all indications. Rodriguez was dominant in any respect ranges he performed within the minors final season and was a shining mild for the Dominican Republic throughout this yr’s Olympics.
Dipoto acknowledged, “He’s getting in with excessive power. His potential to affect sooner reasonably than later is extraordinarily excessive.”
The No. The No. 5 spot within the rotation will seemingly fall to rookie Matt Brash, with fellow rookie George Kirby being another choice.
RACE OF ARMS
With the addition of Drew Steckenrider, Paul Sewald and others, Seattle boasted one of the spectacular bullpens within the league.
The addition of veteran Ken Giles, and younger Andres Munoz (each wholesome after Tommy John surgical procedure), may make it much more thrilling. After Casey Sadler’s shoulder surgical procedure, Seattle added Sergio Romo to its roster.
