The Seattle Mariners 2017
bullpen probably won’t look a lot difference than the one that ended the 2016
season. The one spot that will change is having at least one left handed reliever
that is different and another that ended the season in the Mariners rotation.
The Mariners traded Vidal Nuno
who spent all last season in the Mariners’ bullpen to the Los Angeles Dodgers
for catcher Carlos Ruiz. The thing about Nuno he was not a left handed
specialist in the same mold of Charlie Furbush who was out all season with
injury for the Mariners. In fact Furbush is no longer on the Mariners roster
and won’t pitch again this coming season. Nuno was primarily a long reliever
though he wasn’t used in that spot much of last season either. So now Jerry
Dipoto decided he needed a left handed specialist so he went out and signed
free agent Marc Rzepczynski. He likely is the pitcher to fill that spot though
the team did sign a few others or have other’s competing but mostly for depth. I
expect that a couple of those guys will start in triple A Tacoma. The other left handed reliever to be the
bullpen most likely will be Ariel Maranda who started the off-season as the
second left handed in the starting rotation along with James Paxton however a
couple trades put him more likely in the bullpen but will add depth to the
rotation as well.
Outside of the left handed
relievers doesn’t leave much in the bullpen for a new comer to make the squad
though Dipoto did add more depth. Going into the season Edwin Diaz is expected
to be the closer. The Mariners do have other guys that throw the ball hard like
Diaz competing for at least one spot in the bullpen. Dan Altavilla who came up
in August will be one of those candidates. He does have options so he could be
sent down without any problem if necessary. Another one competing is Tony Zych
who missed almost all last season. Also the Mariners traded for Shae Simmons
who the Mariners traded for with the Atlanta Braves.
Besides Diaz the other guys
that will most likely be in the bullpen are Steve Cishek the closer at the beginning of
last season is expected to pitch the eighth inning and possibly close when Diaz
isn’t available, however, he may start the season on the disable list because
off-season surgery. Nick Vincent is another one who will pitch either the
seventh or eighth inning. Evan Scribner who was out most of the season except
September when he had an outstanding time could be the first guy out of the
bullpen in the sixth or seventh especially with runners on base. It was what he
did very well in September. If those guys all make the bullpen out of spring
training that leaves one spot open along with another having Cishek on the
disabled list. That will leave several guys to battle for those spots. Dan
Altavilla should be the leading candidate however he does have options to go
back down to the minor leagues. Someone would have to have an outstanding
spring to bump him or he has a poor spring. This will leave several down in the
minor leagues to be ready when and if necessary.
Next time look at the infield
and the catchers. Of course it will depend what other transactions that Jerry
Dipoto may make.
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