Seattle Mariners: 2017 MLB season preview

The Seattle Mariners are hoping to position themselves at the top of the American League West in 2017. Can they make it happen?

The Seattle Mariners had a strong 2016 season, with an 86-76 record that was good enough for second place in the AL West. They were nine games back from the Texas Rangers, who seized control of the division and didn’t let go.

Mariners manager Scott Servais is in his second year at the helm, and with a solid first year under his belt, he’s looking to bring the Mariners to the postseason.

As of this writing the Mariners are in second place among American League rankings in Spring Training with a respectable 19-12 record so far. They’re six games ahead of the Rangers, which could be a sign that the Mariners are ready to overthrow the Rangers and take possession of first place in the division.

Mar 24, 2017; Peoria, AZ, USA; Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma (18) pitches against the Kansas City Royals during the first inning at Peoria Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

Pitching

The Seattle Mariners have some great depth in their rotation. Felix Hernandez (2016: 14-12, 4.39 ERA, 188.2 IP, 176 SO, 1.25 WHIP) has a 2.45 after 11 innings in spring training. Hisashi Iwakuma (2016: 16-12, 4.12 ERA, 199.0 IP, 147 SO, 1.33 WHIP) has also been productive this spring with 16 innings and a 6.75 ERA. He’s also working on playing the long game and staying healthy through the entire season.

Here’s a look at some of the other guys under consideration for the starting rotation:

LHP James Paxton (2016: 6-7, 3.79 ERA, 121.0 IP, 117 SO, 1.31 WHIP)

LHP Drew Smiley (2016: 7-12, 4.88 ERA, 175.1. 167 SO, 1.27 WHIP)

RHP Yovani Gallardo (2016: 6-8, 5.42 ERA, 118 IP, 85 SO, 1.58 WHIP)

The Mariners’ starting rotation is healthy, which is great because the bullpen has a few injuries that could be an issue down the line as the season progresses.

Mar 22, 2017; Peoria, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Angels center fielder Ben Revere (25) slides in safely ahead of the throw to Seattle Mariners shortstop Jean Segura (2) for a stolen base during the first inning as second baseman Robinson Cano (top, right) backs up the throw at Peoria Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /

Lineup

The Mariners have a strong lineup with great depth. Fortunately, the lineup is free of injury, which means starting the season out healthy. Newly acquired Jarrod Dyson wants all of the playing time he can get, and the Mariners would like to capitalize on his speed.

Here’s a projection of what the lineup might look like for the 2017 season:

Catcher: Mike Zunino (2016: .207 AVG, 12 HR, 31 RBI, 0 SB, .787 OPS)

1B: Danny Valencia (2016: .287 AVG, 17 HR, 51 RBI, 1 SB, .792 OPS)

2B: Robinson Cano (2016: .298 AVG, 39 HR, 103 RBI, 0 SB, .882 OPS)

3B: Kyle Seager (2016: .278 AVG, 30 HR, 99 RBI, 3 SB, .859 OPS)

SS: Jean Segura (2016: .319 AVG, 20 HR, 64 RBI, 33 SB, .867 OPS)

LF: Jarrod Dyson (2016: .278 AVG, 1 HR, 25 RBI, 30 SB, .728 OPS)

CF: Leonys Martin (2016: .247 AVG, 15 HR, 47 RBI, 24 SB, .684 OPS)

RF: Mitch Haniger (2016: .229 AVG, 5 HR, 17 RBI, 0 SB, .713 OPS)

Nelson Cruz (2016: .287, 43 HR, 105 RBI, 3 SB, .915 OPS) will be available as the DH for the Mariners.

Mar 22, 2017; Peoria, AZ, USA; Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Cody Martin (57) pitches during the second inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Peoria Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /

Bullpen

There are currently three guys in the bullpen on the DL. Tony Zych is doubtful for the start of the season after biceps surgery, while Shae Simmons has been battling some arm soreness. Steve Cishek is also doubtful for the start of the season after hip surgery.

The Mariners have selected Edwin Diaz as the closer. Diaz hasn’t done a lot in spring training because he was off playing for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic, but he had a 2.79 and 51.2 innings in 2016. New arrival James Pazos might get a shot in the bullpen. He didn’t get a lot of work with the Yankees but he’s worked 9.2 innings with the Mariners this spring training and he has a 6.52 with 11 strikeouts.

Mar 24, 2017; Peoria, AZ, USA; Seattle Mariners manager Scott Servais (9) looks on against the Kansas City Royals during the first inning at Peoria Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

Manager

In his first year as manager of the Mariners, Scott Servais took the team to number two in the AL West in his debut as a manager. Prior to his arrival with the Mariners Servais was an assistant General Manager of the Angels, and then he came to the Mariners when Angels general manager left to assume those duties for the Mariners.

Servais may not have a lot of management experience, but he does have some great experience from his time playing for Team USA. Things are still pretty new around the Mariner’s camp, but Servais has shown that he can lead the team to the postseason.

Mar 22, 2017; Peoria, AZ, USA; Seattle Mariners designated hitter Nelson Cruz (right) and shortstop Jean Segura (2) joke around in the dugout before the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Peoria Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /

X-Factor

The biggest asset to the Mariners right now is health. If they can keep up the momentum from spring training, they will come out swinging on Opening Day and it just might be enough to get them to first place in the AL West.

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Nelson Cruz has endured some injuries throughout his career, but if he’s on the field, Seattle has a terrific core of the lineup with Cruz, Cano and Seager.

Mar 23, 2017; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Seattle Mariners outfielder Taylor Motter gives a baseball to a young female fan in the grandstands prior to the game against the San Francisco Giants during a Cactus League spring training game at Scottsdale Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Prediction

The Mariners will have nothing less than a second-place finish in the AL West. The team is healthy, balanced, and it has great depth. If ever there was a time for the team to shine, it is now. It should be a great battle in the West with the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers, with the Oakland A’s and Los Angeles Angels trailing far behind.

Seattle has not been to the postseason since winning a league-record 116 games in 2001. The Mariners are better positioned to return to the playoffs now more than any time since their previous appearance.