Going into spring
training as Mariner fans we know that the Mariners have a whole lot of change
happening with a new general manger along with a manager who has never managed
and a bunch of new players.
What isn’t changing is
that Felix Hernandez will be the opening day pitcher for the Mariners. Of
course this depends on his health and the history of King Felix we don’t expect
it to be a problem. With Felix on the mound of opening season we hope the
Mariners will get off with a win in the first game of the season. Last season
Felix had his up and downs however we do hope that in 2016 we will see a lot
more of the ups for him. Though he is turning thirty I expect he will be
healthy most of the season and he will have another good season. What we hope
for is that Iwakuma will have a healthy season instead of being sidelined for
part of the season.
Starting out this
spring training James Payton looks like he is healthy so we can hope that he
stays that way all season. Right now he looks like he is competing for the
fifth spot in the rotation. If he doesn’t secure that spot he may start the
season in Tacoma. I am sure the powers to be do not want him to be the long
reliever in the bullpen. Pitching in Tacoma means that he will be in regular
rotation so if someone does go down he will be able to step right in.
Another candidate for
the fifth spot is Mike Montgomery. If he has a good spring however does not secure
the fifth spot he is out of options so he has to be on the roster for the
season or be subject to waiver wire. There is a possibility he could be traded
to another club to help out the Mariner’s in another place on the roster.
Another candidate for
the fifth spot is Nathan Karns the Mariners got from Tampa Bay in the first
trade that new general manager Jerry Dipoto made in October. He does have
options so he could go down to Tacoma if he loses out to James Payton however
the Mariners will give him every opportunity to be that fifth starter.
The third and fourth
starters should be Wade Miley who the Mariners acquired from the Boston Red Sox
when they thought that Iwakuma had signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers and
TaiJuan Walker. We expect that Walker will likely be the fourth starter because
Miley is a left hander and the Mariners will want not to pitch three righties
in a row. Unless Payton is in the rotation Miley will be the only lefty.
It looks like the
Mariners have a solid starting rotation with some depth. Vidal Nuno will be
working out of the bullpen during spring training. According to new manager
Scott Servais they want to use him where he can be successful however he would
be available if needed to start. We can all hope that for the season Nuno will
be the second left reliever in the bullpen behind Charlie Furbush. Over the
last few days it looks like Furbush will be ready for the regular season which
is very good news for the Mariners. He will be the main lefty out of the
bullpen. The Mariners do have a few other candidates for the second lefty
however Furbush and Nuno look like the best.
I know that there is
some who have concern about Scott Servais never being a manager before either
minor or major league. There have been a few other guys who have had success as
first time managers so we have to see.
Anyway spring training
here we go as we look to see what happens going into the new season. Go Mariners!
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