OK, I'm not a Mariners homer, but I do like them, and they're such a mess that they deserve their own thread.
Catcher
And the problems have already started. Jesus Montero, bad glove and all, is ostensibly penciled in as the starter. The Shoppach-copter is the backup, and Mike Zunino is waiting for his chance in the high minors. Ronny Paulino is also in camp. Montero can really hit, and the fences are moved in, but if he struggles even worse than expected behind the plate, he could be moved to DH. Especially because he isn't the catcher of the future anyway.
1B/DH
Justin Smoak is penciled in as the starter at 1B, which pushes Kendrys Morales to the starting DH spot. The Smoak Monster has the best nickname in baseball but sucked last year. Still, he was a top prospect and the Ms paid a steep price for him, so he'll get his chances. Morales is in the last year of his contract and could be trade bait, but the Ms do need his bat. Mike Carp was just DFA'd.
Infield
Kyle Seager had a nice season last year at 3B, and could be 2B/SS eligible in some leagues. Dustin Ackley did NOT have a good year last year but still has some upside. Brendan Ryan is the starter at SS and can't hit at all. Nick Franklin put on 35 pounds this off-season and played 2B in the AFL, he could start at either MI spot but the Ms seem more committed to Ryan. Brad Miller is probably the shortstop of the future which makes Franklin the 2B of the future, I guess.
Outfield
Michael Morse came over from the Nats and will start in LF. Michael Saunders moves to RF when Franklin Gutierrez is healthy (how often does that happen?) Jason Bay is in camp and Raul Ibanez signed for 2.75mil, so he'll definitely have a spot on the 25-man, even though he doesn't have a place to play on the field. Casper Wells is probably the odd man out unless Bay doesn't make the team. Presumably when Gutierrez gets hurt, Saunders goes to CF, and Ibanez/Morse play the corners.
Rotation
Felix Hernandez is awesome, even if there were some minor concerns about his elbow prior to his mega-extension. Hisashi Iwakuma was great in the rotation last year after sucking in the bullpen. Joe Saunders will eat innings. I worry about both of them with the fences moving in; even a little less wiggle room could hurt them. Erasmo Ramirez has some upside as the #4. Blake Beaven might have the #5 spot until the kids are ready (Danny Hultzen, Tijuan Walker, James Paxton). The Ms also signed Jon Garland who I would kinda like as the #5 if he got the job. Jeremy Bonderman is also in camp hoping for a miracle.
Bullpen
I have no idea if Tom Wilhelmsen will keep the job, but most people seem to think he will. Did you know he is 29 and was bounced out of baseball for smoking weed in his early 20s? He worked as a bartender before coming back to baseball. Charles Furbush is a good LOOGY but the main guy you want other than Wilhelmsen is Carter Capps, who is basically Bruce Rondon with a little more control, a little less velo (by which I mean 99 and not 102) and not nearly as much publicity.
Catcher
And the problems have already started. Jesus Montero, bad glove and all, is ostensibly penciled in as the starter. The Shoppach-copter is the backup, and Mike Zunino is waiting for his chance in the high minors. Ronny Paulino is also in camp. Montero can really hit, and the fences are moved in, but if he struggles even worse than expected behind the plate, he could be moved to DH. Especially because he isn't the catcher of the future anyway.
1B/DH
Justin Smoak is penciled in as the starter at 1B, which pushes Kendrys Morales to the starting DH spot. The Smoak Monster has the best nickname in baseball but sucked last year. Still, he was a top prospect and the Ms paid a steep price for him, so he'll get his chances. Morales is in the last year of his contract and could be trade bait, but the Ms do need his bat. Mike Carp was just DFA'd.
Infield
Kyle Seager had a nice season last year at 3B, and could be 2B/SS eligible in some leagues. Dustin Ackley did NOT have a good year last year but still has some upside. Brendan Ryan is the starter at SS and can't hit at all. Nick Franklin put on 35 pounds this off-season and played 2B in the AFL, he could start at either MI spot but the Ms seem more committed to Ryan. Brad Miller is probably the shortstop of the future which makes Franklin the 2B of the future, I guess.
Outfield
Michael Morse came over from the Nats and will start in LF. Michael Saunders moves to RF when Franklin Gutierrez is healthy (how often does that happen?) Jason Bay is in camp and Raul Ibanez signed for 2.75mil, so he'll definitely have a spot on the 25-man, even though he doesn't have a place to play on the field. Casper Wells is probably the odd man out unless Bay doesn't make the team. Presumably when Gutierrez gets hurt, Saunders goes to CF, and Ibanez/Morse play the corners.
Rotation
Felix Hernandez is awesome, even if there were some minor concerns about his elbow prior to his mega-extension. Hisashi Iwakuma was great in the rotation last year after sucking in the bullpen. Joe Saunders will eat innings. I worry about both of them with the fences moving in; even a little less wiggle room could hurt them. Erasmo Ramirez has some upside as the #4. Blake Beaven might have the #5 spot until the kids are ready (Danny Hultzen, Tijuan Walker, James Paxton). The Ms also signed Jon Garland who I would kinda like as the #5 if he got the job. Jeremy Bonderman is also in camp hoping for a miracle.
Bullpen
I have no idea if Tom Wilhelmsen will keep the job, but most people seem to think he will. Did you know he is 29 and was bounced out of baseball for smoking weed in his early 20s? He worked as a bartender before coming back to baseball. Charles Furbush is a good LOOGY but the main guy you want other than Wilhelmsen is Carter Capps, who is basically Bruce Rondon with a little more control, a little less velo (by which I mean 99 and not 102) and not nearly as much publicity.
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