The Seattle Mariners
have five places to fill in their starting pitching. Three of the five are
already locks in Felix Hernandez, Iwakuma, and Wade Miley the Mariners acquired
from the Boston Red Sox.
TaiJuan Walker likely
will be the fourth starter however he will have to fight to hold onto it. James
Paxton is another one to look into becoming the fourth or fifth starter. Paxton
has a good chance if he is able to stay healthy unlike the last couple seasons.
The Mariners coaching staff would like him to be one of those starters.
When the season begins
the 5th starter could start the season in Triple A to allow another
spot in the bullpen. One of the pitchers who does not make the starting five
likely will be starting the season in the bullpen; he will be the long reliever
starting out.
Two pitchers the
Mariners had during parts of 2015 Mike Montgomery and Vidal Nuno will be
candidates to be the fifth starter. Montgomery is out of options so he has to
be on the opening roster and throughout the season otherwise they will have to
trade him or put him on waivers before going to the minors. If he is not in the
starting five he may be that long reliever available to start in case of
injuries or poor performance by one of the five starters. Nuno on the other
hand has more experience in the bullpen so if he doesn’t start he can be used
in either role of long and short relievers. He has the attitude really getting
after the batter so for him facing one batter or going two plus innings makes
him quite valuable.
Nathan Karns who the
Mariners acquired in the first trade of the off-season from the Tampa Bay Rays
may be the leading candidate for the fifth starter. All depends whether TaiJuan
Walker and James Paxton are in the starting five. Paxton the Mariners would
like to be in the starting five to be the second lefty along with Miley. Karns
could start in the bullpen or in Triple A to be ready for some starts.
The Mariners have some
other guys they will look at to be in the starting five however the ones
mentioned are the leading candidates so any others will have to show the
coaching staff that they belong in the fifth spot. It will be interesting to
see how the starting pitching works out. Nice to see the Mariners have depth
this coming season. I have to say they have one of the strongest starting
pitching staff in their division. Along with the bullpen the success of the
2016 season will hinge on them. The starters will need to go at least six
innings each time out so the bullpen won’t tire out. I don’t see the problem
with the first three pitchers to do so it is the last two that will need to go
far as they can. This is as important at the beginning of the season besides throughout
2016. Go Mariners!
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