 |
| Rodney, Cano, and Felix. $, hopefully in more ways than one. |
Opening day is only 4 weeks away... longest 4 weeks ever, amirite?!
I am bringing in Spencer Hansen to do the Mariner's Preview this year. I'll add my two cents at the bottom. Spence knows more about the Mariners than anyone I know, so I'm glad to have him.
Spencer's 2014 Mariner Preview:
Obviously there have been some bright spots to the 2014 off-season with the signing of Robinson Cano, Cory Hart, Logan Morrison, and Fernando Rodney, among others.
There are still some looming question marks; who will fill the outfield? Who will hit behind Cano? Will they sign another starter?
Almost 3 weeks into Spring Training (ST) Manager Lloyd McLendon has set the tone for the ball club. McLendon had stops in Pittsburg and Detroit as a manager and a hitting coach and has been a respected offensive mind in the MLB over the past decade. He has instilled a toughness and sense of accountability among the players and is regarded as a players coach...but is he the right man for this job? Can he lead the M's to the promised land after a 12 year playoff drought?
I believe he was a good hire for two reasons; a) he past managing experience and he has past coaching experience with a winning club and worked with HOFer Jim Leyland for several years. b) He is a great teacher of hitting and will be a key asset for a young ball club that has hitters that could experience some growing pains in the big leagues this season.
McLendon
also made it known to the media this week that Justin Smoak is "his
guy" at 1st base this season. Smoak, with many things to prove at the
plate this season did see slight improvements at the plate in 2013, but I
expect this is a make or break year for him. Either he hits and stays,
or doesn't and gets cut sometime in late-June, early-July. I think an
ideal good year for Smoak is a batting average around 250-260 and 25
HRs. I think that's key if the Mariners want to have a chance at the
post season as he could potentially hit behind Cano this year, which
could also benefit Smoak because he could see better pitches. I've been
waiting for the news to break on ESPN that the M's have resigned
Morales, but as the days to Opening Day dwindle, so do my hopes that'll he be
back.
Also another unknown is who will be the everyday SS as
McLendon has said that it's about "50-50" between Brad Miller and Nick
Franklin for that spot right now. There has also been much speculation
about whether Franklin will be dealt. The M's have gotten numerous
calls on him and the two suitors that make the most sense right now
remain to be the Mets and the Rays, with no real moves being made as of
now. If the season started today, I would guess Miller would be the
guy. He has been smooth with the glove and has shown he can be a
durable, everyday guy. On the other hand, Franklin has hit the crap out
of the ball this Spring with a couple of dingers and played solid
defense. I think the better investment is in Miller because he shows
more upside at SS and has a nice left handed swing and he has that
blue-collar, down and dirty, get it done no matter what attitude. Just
an old school type of ballplayer.
The pitching situation as far as starters has also become messy this spring. It's looking like Hisashi Iwakuma and young phenom Taijuan Walker will start the season on the DL which leaves the M's looking for a free agent arm or giving young guys a significant role early in the season. When all healthy the rotation will look something like Felix-Kuma-Walker-James Paxton-Scott Baker. I imagine Scott Baker will see an increased role with injuries. He was non-roster invitee to Spring but will most likely make the club. He was above average in Minnesota but I think pitching in Safeco won't hurt him at all. James Paxton also has came in looking good and also more mature. He's making better pitches, has shown better control, and his arsenal of pitches is more well-rounded.
The bullpen was shored up with the signing of Fernando Rodney at the back end and he hasn't seen much action due to a small injury but should be fine and on track to go Openind Day. I think our middle relief will also be improved now that Danny Farquhar and Tom Wilhelmsen will not be relied upon in the 9th to shut the door. I still expect one of those guys to set up Rodney, but I expect a bounce back year from Wilhelmsen. Also you gotta love Danny Farquhar, a blue-collar guy that throws upper 90s with wicked off-speed stuff. He just needs to work on his location and developing those off-speed pitches.
In the outfield, it's a little crowded. Franklin Gutierrez was put on the Restricted List, meaning he will not play this season and will not be paid his $1 million. Pencil in Dustin Ackley in in LF. Ackley has sown a much better approach at the plate this season and I think he'll make a nice transition out there this season. I expect a bounce back year from Ack.
After Ack it gets tricky
with no one guy taking control of a spot. I'd really like to see
Michael Saunders break out this year and be an everyday guy because when fully
healthy he is a top 10 defensive outfielder in this league. If he can
show that he can hit left handed pitching and cut down on strikeouts he
will very much be in the everyday picture this season.
Some under the radar guys you may or may not know are Stefen Romero and Abraham Almonte. Both spent last season in Triple-A Tacoma and had good years. Romero is a corner outfielder who shows a lot of power from the right side and can also hit for average and is a plus defender in RF. Almonte is a speed-demon and switch hitter and can hit well from both sides of the plate. I think Romero is on the outside looking in but I believe Almonte will make the Opening Day roster. McLendon has said they can find multiple ways to get this guy in the game and has potential to be the leadoff guy this year. He understands the role of the leadoff, has plus speed and that ability to hit well from both sides helps him. Almonte is also a great bunter and will set the table nicely for Cano, Kyle Seager, and Corey Hart.
The key to success this season will be guys staying healthy. With Kuma
and Walker out to start it will be tough in April but position guys need
to be durable as well. Corey Hart and Logan Morrison were nice pickups
because they were cheap, low-risk, high-reward guys that could
significantly contribute. Hart was a 30 homer, 100 RBI guy two years
ago and a perennial All Star. Hart will probably DH for the most part
but will see some time at 1st and possibly in RF. Morrison also could
see time in the OF and at 1st base and if he hits will be a solid role
player to plug in because he's very versatile.
I think this team is very much improved, but also still has some holes to fill, whether that be a RH bat or a starting pitcher.
My prediction for the season is 85 wins, who knows if that'll be enough to get that second wild-card. I think the M's undergo some growing pains but McLendon takes this club a step in the right direction and they WILL be a playoff team in 2015. As far as individual awards, I think Cano, Seager, and Felix are All Stars and Seager is my dark horse for the batting title.
-SH
Thanks Spence! I definitely appreciate the analysis. Hard to keep up when everything I hear is about the Rangers. And yes, they do have the best QB in the state of Texas.
As for my prediction, I was pretty off last year. I predicted the M's to finish third with an 85-77 record, while they instead fell to 71-91and fourth place (how great is it that the Astros are in the division?) This year I'm not as optimistic as Spencer is. Oakland is going to win the AL West, Texas is going to pick up a Wild Card spot at number two. I think Seattle was what it takes to finish third place, above the vastly overrated Angels and the hilariously bad Astros. I predict an even 81-81 this year. I do agree with Spencer though, if they get it together, the playoffs aren't too far in the future for us.
Like our Facebook page for more up to date info about the Mariners and the Seahawks. Also check out Spencer's Sports Rants, his hilarious babblings about everything. Worth the watch.
SODO MOJO. (I lost track of their annual sayings, so I'll stick with this one.)
I am bringing in Spencer Hansen to do the Mariner's Preview this year. I'll add my two cents at the bottom. Spence knows more about the Mariners than anyone I know, so I'm glad to have him.
Spencer's 2014 Mariner Preview:
Obviously there have been some bright spots to the 2014 off-season with the signing of Robinson Cano, Cory Hart, Logan Morrison, and Fernando Rodney, among others.
There are still some looming question marks; who will fill the outfield? Who will hit behind Cano? Will they sign another starter?
Almost 3 weeks into Spring Training (ST) Manager Lloyd McLendon has set the tone for the ball club. McLendon had stops in Pittsburg and Detroit as a manager and a hitting coach and has been a respected offensive mind in the MLB over the past decade. He has instilled a toughness and sense of accountability among the players and is regarded as a players coach...but is he the right man for this job? Can he lead the M's to the promised land after a 12 year playoff drought?
I believe he was a good hire for two reasons; a) he past managing experience and he has past coaching experience with a winning club and worked with HOFer Jim Leyland for several years. b) He is a great teacher of hitting and will be a key asset for a young ball club that has hitters that could experience some growing pains in the big leagues this season.
 |
| A full Safeco Field, unfortunately all too rare. |
 |
| SS Nick Franklin |
The pitching situation as far as starters has also become messy this spring. It's looking like Hisashi Iwakuma and young phenom Taijuan Walker will start the season on the DL which leaves the M's looking for a free agent arm or giving young guys a significant role early in the season. When all healthy the rotation will look something like Felix-Kuma-Walker-James Paxton-Scott Baker. I imagine Scott Baker will see an increased role with injuries. He was non-roster invitee to Spring but will most likely make the club. He was above average in Minnesota but I think pitching in Safeco won't hurt him at all. James Paxton also has came in looking good and also more mature. He's making better pitches, has shown better control, and his arsenal of pitches is more well-rounded.
 |
| Hopefully this King can make some magic. |
The bullpen was shored up with the signing of Fernando Rodney at the back end and he hasn't seen much action due to a small injury but should be fine and on track to go Openind Day. I think our middle relief will also be improved now that Danny Farquhar and Tom Wilhelmsen will not be relied upon in the 9th to shut the door. I still expect one of those guys to set up Rodney, but I expect a bounce back year from Wilhelmsen. Also you gotta love Danny Farquhar, a blue-collar guy that throws upper 90s with wicked off-speed stuff. He just needs to work on his location and developing those off-speed pitches.
In the outfield, it's a little crowded. Franklin Gutierrez was put on the Restricted List, meaning he will not play this season and will not be paid his $1 million. Pencil in Dustin Ackley in in LF. Ackley has sown a much better approach at the plate this season and I think he'll make a nice transition out there this season. I expect a bounce back year from Ack.
 | |
| Hopefully there is more to fear than just the beard. |
Some under the radar guys you may or may not know are Stefen Romero and Abraham Almonte. Both spent last season in Triple-A Tacoma and had good years. Romero is a corner outfielder who shows a lot of power from the right side and can also hit for average and is a plus defender in RF. Almonte is a speed-demon and switch hitter and can hit well from both sides of the plate. I think Romero is on the outside looking in but I believe Almonte will make the Opening Day roster. McLendon has said they can find multiple ways to get this guy in the game and has potential to be the leadoff guy this year. He understands the role of the leadoff, has plus speed and that ability to hit well from both sides helps him. Almonte is also a great bunter and will set the table nicely for Cano, Kyle Seager, and Corey Hart.
 |
| Maybe the LOB could rub off on the M's. |
I think this team is very much improved, but also still has some holes to fill, whether that be a RH bat or a starting pitcher.
My prediction for the season is 85 wins, who knows if that'll be enough to get that second wild-card. I think the M's undergo some growing pains but McLendon takes this club a step in the right direction and they WILL be a playoff team in 2015. As far as individual awards, I think Cano, Seager, and Felix are All Stars and Seager is my dark horse for the batting title.
-SH
Thanks Spence! I definitely appreciate the analysis. Hard to keep up when everything I hear is about the Rangers. And yes, they do have the best QB in the state of Texas.
As for my prediction, I was pretty off last year. I predicted the M's to finish third with an 85-77 record, while they instead fell to 71-91and fourth place (how great is it that the Astros are in the division?) This year I'm not as optimistic as Spencer is. Oakland is going to win the AL West, Texas is going to pick up a Wild Card spot at number two. I think Seattle was what it takes to finish third place, above the vastly overrated Angels and the hilariously bad Astros. I predict an even 81-81 this year. I do agree with Spencer though, if they get it together, the playoffs aren't too far in the future for us.
Like our Facebook page for more up to date info about the Mariners and the Seahawks. Also check out Spencer's Sports Rants, his hilarious babblings about everything. Worth the watch.
SODO MOJO. (I lost track of their annual sayings, so I'll stick with this one.)
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