The Big Three

You are a Mariner fan likely you know who the big three are. So I will let you know Robinson Cano, Nelson Cruz and Kyle Seager. Also they are right in the middle of the batting order three through five. All three had really good years that included one of the best years that Cano has had. Truly good since 2015 the first half of the season was terrible and we found out it was because of injuries. He started out having an outstanding season and it continue throughout 2016. Nelson Cruz had another good consistent year. He especially was good in September when the Mariners were trying to get into the playoffs. Kyle Seager started out poorly in April batting under .200 however did hit five home runs like he accomplished every month of the season ending with a total of 30. He did have a good defensive season though it was not like gold glove like in 2014. Most of his errors had to do with not making the play. He always has a good time making throws to first base. Next season for the Mariners to make it into the playoffs Seager will need to have a higher batting average.

I expect that all three will have another really good season next season. I am not sure whether they will have the kind of year as in 2016 however if they are near the average of their careers than the Mariners will still be in good shape.

The key to the Mariners for 2017 is for the starting rotation to be healthy unlike they were in June and July. King Felix will have to healthy all season. James Paxton and TaiJuan Walker need to have the kind of years the Mariners are expecting. 2017 season could be a telling year for the two of them. Iwakuma maybe the most questionable though he had the best season in 2016. He isn’t getting any younger and he has to stay healthy as well. Ariel Maranda who the Mariners got from the Baltimore Orioles needs to pitch like he did in September. Also the Mariners need to have a healthy Nathan Karns for depth as well. I still believe the Mariners need to go out and get a proven top starter. He doesn’t have to be a number starter though it would be nice but a number two starter needs to be. The Mariners are probably at least  a year or two away from one of their minor league starting pitchers to emerge.

The Mariners will need to add another pitcher or two in the bullpen as well. A left handed reliever who has been successful like Charlie Furbush was would be nice. Furbush is not expected back until 2018 if he does at all. Edwin Diaz will be the closer with Steve Cishek being his primary setup man along with Nick Vincent and I like the job Evan Scribner did in September. The Cleveland Indian pitching Andrew Miller early in the game shows that a team should look at putting one of their top relievers in the game when the situation merits. It doesn’t matter whether it is the sixth, seventh or eighth inning. This where I would like to see Scribner or Vincent in the game when it is on the line before the ninth inning; another pitcher I would like back is Drew Storen however he is a free agent so he could go elsewhere. He showed to that he can be affective in the bullpen. Dan Altavilla the Mariners brought up at the end of August from Double A could be a key pitcher in the same type of situations. He could close when Diaz needs to have a rest.

Look forward to what Dipoto plans to do in approving the team. They know that they have to be more athletic especially in the outfield. Go M’s.