Seattle, WA
2023 Preview: Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
2022 document: 90-72, second in American League West
Offseason headlines: After snapping the longest energetic drought within the 4 main skilled sports activities and reaching the playoffs for the primary time in 21 years, the Mariners have been energetic buyers. They added All-Star OF Teoscar Hernandez (57 dwelling runs from 2021-22) in a November commerce with Toronto and purchased Gold Glove 2B Kolten Wong in a December take care of the Brewers (parting with OF Jesse Winker). In January, they signed two former All-Stars in free company, bringing aboard OF AJ Pollock and INF Tommy La Stella. “We do really feel like we received meaningfully higher this offseason and we’re a deeper, extra full crew than we have been on the finish of final season,” mentioned Jerry Dipoto, president of baseball operations.
Spring storylines: RHP Chris Flexen and slimmed-down LHP Marco Gonzales battled within the Cactus League for the No. 5 spot in one of many circuit’s finest rotations (RHP Luis Castillo, LHP Robbie Ray, RHP George Kirby and RHP Logan Gilbert). “We’ll see the way it breaks out,” skipper Scott Servais mentioned in mid-March. “It is nice that we now have depth. … I really feel very lucky.” OF Jarred Kelenic had a torrid spring (.410 common with 4 homers via 15 video games) after hitting simply .141 in 54 video games in 2022. 3B Eugenio Suarez (Venezuela) was one in every of many Mariners who participated within the WBC. OF Taylor Trammell had surgical procedure in February to restore a damaged hamate bone in his proper hand.
Younger weapons: RHP Bryce Miller seemed prepared throughout 2023 spring coaching after averaging 11.0 strikeouts per 9 innings and holding hitters to a .195 common at three minor league stops in 2022. C Harry Ford is Seattle’s No. 1 prospect (MLB Pipeline) however is a minimum of two years away from pushing beginning backstop Cal Raleigh (27 homers in 2022) for taking part in time. Kelenic remains to be solely 23 however operating out of time to shed the “bust” label.
Fall feeling: A sweep by the eventual World Collection champion Astros within the ALDS didn’t uninteresting the shine on Seattle’s 2022 season. It was the second consecutive
90-win marketing campaign for Servais’ squad, which is primed to make one other October cost behind a robust beginning rotation, a terrific bullpen and one of the thrilling kids within the present in 22-year-old reigning American League Rookie of the Yr OF Julio Rodriguez (28 homers, 25 steals).
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Odds, even: Seattle hasn’t made back-to-back playoff appearances since 2000-01. The Mariners open with the second-best odds within the AL West, starting from +320 at DraftKings to +350 at PointsBet to +360 at FanDuel.
–Discipline Stage Media