As Opening Day fast approaches, the American League West rosters are starting to be reduced to what they should be, and right now, two teams look extremely powerful on paper: the Angels and the Mariners. The 2015 Seattle Mariners are in a very good position for success given their young pitching talent and addition of Nelson Cruz to their line-up to supplement Robinson Cano. The rest of their success depends upon whether their breakout hitters from 2014 can transfer those numbers over to 2015, and if other players who haven’t made a huge impact in the Major Leagues can make the upcoming season their best yet. The All-Star influences of Felix Hernandez and Kyle Seager will have a profound impact on the Mariners possibilities for a play-off run.
Team Overview: 2015 Seattle Mariners
The Mariners two biggest losses of the off-season were outfielder Michael Saunders and designated hitter/first baseman Corey Hart, both of whom were decent contributors to last year’s team but moved on to new teams in order to get better playing time and a chance to show their worth. With a hole in right field, the Mariners addressed the problem by acquiring lefty Seth Smith from the Padres and righty Justin Ruggiano from the Cubs, who they plan to platoon this season. Smith is a favorite to have a good season, getting opportunities to start and show his power, which he demonstrated in San Diego, and Ruggiano, who has never really been given the chance to play everyday, will show if he has what it takes to do so.
The shortstop dilemma that the Mariners have had for the past three seasons between Brad Miller and Chris Taylor is solved for now, as Taylor is out until late April with a wrist fracture, giving the job to Miller for the time being. If Miller puts up good numbers in the first month and can prove he belongs, Taylor may come back to a bench spot, along with utility player Willie Bloomquist, who has proven he can play all four infield spots. Meanwhile, Rickie Weeks, who has struggled the past three seasons (losing his starting second baseman job in Milwaukee with the Brewers), has shifted from the infield to the outfield and looks to play there, first base and second base this season for Seattle.
Roster Moves
He’s Here: DH Nelson Cruz, P J.A. Happ, OF Justin Ruggiano, OF Seth Smith, 2B Rickie Weeks
Non-Roster Invitees with chance to make roster: C John Baker, OF Endy Chavez, P Kevin Correia, OF Franklin Gutierrez, P Joe Saunders
He’s Gone: P Blake Beavan, P Todd Coffey, 1B-OF Corey Hart, P Brandon Maurer, DH Kendrys Morales, OF Michael Saunders, 1B Justin Smoak
Bringing the Rain in Seattle
The off-season addition of designated hitter Nelson Cruz after his monster 2014 in Baltimore brings risk into Seattle. Cruz is 34 and received $57 million over four years, and the contract will seem very nerving if Cruz can’t repeat the success he had last season. The Mariners can’t be expecting another 40 home runs, but can at least expect 30 and protection for Robinson Cano and Kyle Seager in the line-up. With only 14 homers but 82 RBIs in 2014, Cano is looking for a power surge to supplement Cruz and Seager, who had the best year of his career at 25 homers and 96 RBIs, enters his age-27 season while being locked up for 7 seasons. Combined, Cruz, Cano and Seager will be guaranteed with Seattle for the next four years, while Cano still has nine years left on his contract, and combined their contracts equal $397 million.
The rotation is another strong part of the Mariners roster, led by, who else, but the King: Felix Hernandez. Hernandez’s 15-6, 2.14 ERA leading season just goes to show he is arguably one of the best pitchers in the game right now. He was an All-Star for the fifth time (and fourth straight season), and he is followed by Hisashi Iwakuma in the rotation, who has been impressive since coming to play in the United States with Seattle. His 2013 All-Star season, if it can be repeated this season, will contribute significantly to a possible Seattle play-off run.
Taijuan Walker, who is having a very impressive spring (3-0, 0 earned runs, 19 strikeouts, 18 innings, 5 games started) is penciled in as the three starter, followed by James Paxton and new acquisition J.A. Happ. Solid seasons from the back of the rotation will offset some of the pressure on Hernandez and Iwakuma. Roenis Elias and Erasmo Ramirez are also competing for the fifth spot, but will most likely end up in the bullpen.
Team Outline
(Red indicates a new acquisition)
C: Mike Zunino
1B: Logan Morrison
2B: Robinson Cano
3B: Kyle Seager
SS: Brad Miller
LF: Dustin Ackley
CF: Austin Jackson
RF: Seth Smith/Justin Ruggiano
DH: Nelson Cruz
*Chris Taylor injured, out until late April (wrist fracture)
A good season from catcher Mike Zunino, who has shown flashes of above average playing, will be vital to a Seattle run, because Zunino is overlooked by opposing teams and can provide quite a weapon towards the end of the line-up. Meanwhile, Dustin Ackley is primed to have a good season hitting wise.
1. Felix Hernandez
2. Hisashi Iwakuma
3. Taijuan Walker
4. James Paxton
5. J.A. Happ
Bottom Line
If the Mariners line-up provides production in all spots, the Mariners have a good chance at a run for the play-offs. The combined power of Cano, Cruz and Seager in the middle of the line-up, plus the unknown predictions for first baseman Logan Morrison and breakout hopeful Mike Zunino will help Seattle to more wins. The Hernandez-Iwakuma combination at the top of the rotation, and maybe a Spring Training success carryover from Walker, will provide the Mariners with a great rotation and enough weapons to take out AL West rivals. I see the 2015 Seattle Mariners around second place and 87-91 wins, coming up just short of the Angels but making a reasonable run for the Wild Card.
