Sports

Mariners expect to graduate out of rebuild into contention

SEATTLE (AP) — After three years of tearing down, ready for prospects to develop and an sudden season of competition, the Seattle Mariners are poised to flee the narrative that has hung over the franchise for twenty years.

Playoffs? Sure, they’re an actual chance — and possibly even an expectation — for this group of Mariners.

Coming off a 90-win season that had Seattle contending for a wild-card spot to the ultimate day, the stakes have been raised. The rebuild undertaken by president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto following the 2018 season appears to be on the cusp of fruition as Seattle begins the season with a strong rotation, probably an distinctive bullpen and an on a regular basis lineup that doesn’t go away many unanswered questions.

In different phrases, simply being a contender probably isn’t sufficient for a starved fan base that’s now occurring 21 years because the Mariners’ final playoff recreation.

“We’ve put ourselves in an excellent place primarily based on what we’ve carried out the final couple years. Definitely final 12 months helps lots,“ supervisor Scott Servais stated. “I’m simply so excited. I believed we constructed loads of momentum final 12 months.”

Dipoto’s offseason strikes highlighted his perception Seattle is on the cusp of one thing past a one-year run. He landed a top-of-the-rotation arm in reigning AL Cy Younger winner Robbie Ray. A spring coaching commerce introduced assist for the batting order because the Mariners acquired All-Star Jesse Winker and third baseman Eugenio Suárez from Cincinnati.

The Mariners will nonetheless be counting on a handful of unproven gamers to make these playoff hopes actual. Jarred Kelenic should be taught from his struggles final season and present he is without doubt one of the high prospects in baseball. Chris Flexen should present his 14 wins final season weren’t a fluke. Mitch Haniger has to remain wholesome and be the anchor on the center of the order. And at any time when Julio Rodriguez arrives — both on opening day or shortly thereafter — the 21-year-old should present he’s able to be within the majors.

That’s nonetheless loads of questions. But when they’re answered the way in which Seattle expects, the Mariners may push Houston within the AL West.

“With the joy we’ve surrounding our group and the blokes we’ve right here and the momentum off of final 12 months, I imply, how will you not be hungry and able to go?” starter Marco Gonzales stated.

RAY DAY

Seattle Mariners beginning pitcher Robbie Ray throws in the course of the first inning of a spring coaching baseball recreation towards the Texas Rangers Monday, March 28, 2022, in Peoria, Ariz.

Seattle’s greatest offseason addition got here earlier than the lockout when the Mariners signed Ray for the subsequent 5 years at $115 million. Ray was dominant final season with Toronto, going 13-7 with a 2.48 ERA and 248 strikeouts.

“There’s a ton of presence, very clear concept on who he’s,” Servais stated.

Ray’s arrival lengthens Seattle’s rotation, with Gonzales, Chris Flexen and Logan Gilbert rounding out the highest 4 spots.

NEW LOOK

Whereas Ray was Seattle’s solely massive free agent signing, the Mariners appeared to enhance their lineup by way of trades.

The primary was the addition of Adam Frazier from Pittsburgh, more likely to be the common second baseman and hit on the high of the order. The deal to land Winker and Suárez from Cincinnati solved Seattle’s two remaining points to the lineup even when each include questions. Winker’s energy is on the plate greater than within the subject and he’ll probably take loads of turns because the designated hitter. Suárez has not been the identical participant since having shoulder surgical procedure in 2020 and can be a step again defensively from what Kyle Seager offered the Mariners for 11 seasons at third base.

ROOKIES TO WATCH

All eyes will probably be on Rodríguez. All indications by way of the spring are that Rodríguez is prepared for the majors. Final season, Rodríguez dominated at each stage he performed within the minors, and he shined for the Dominican Republic in the course of the Olympics.

“He’s going to come back in with excessive vitality and his potential to impression before later is extraordinarily excessive,” Dipoto stated.

The No. 5 spot within the rotation is more likely to fall into the arms of rookie Matt Brash with fellow rookie George Kirby as an alternative choice.

ARMS RACE

Seattle had top-of-the-line bullpens within the league final season with the emergence of Paul Sewald, Drew Steckenrider and others.

It may very well be even higher this season with the additions of veteran Ken Giles and hard-throwing teenager Andres Munoz, each wholesome following Tommy John surgical procedure. Seattle additionally added Sergio Romo after Casey Sadler was misplaced for the season because of shoulder surgical procedure.

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Extra AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports



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