We still have
twenty-five days until the regular season so we don’t know who will make the
end of the Mariners roster. They only have a couple spots open in regular
lineup and the pitching doesn’t have many spots available either however they
do have two surprises in the starting pitching in Marco Gonzales and Rob
Whalen.
The coaching staff
figured that Gonzales would be on the opening roster because he is out of
options. He at least would likely be in the bullpen as a longer reliever
however in his two starts so far he has shown everyone that not he deserves to
be in the rotation that he could have a good season as well after recovering
from Tommy John surgery a couple years ago.
He is using a cutter
that he didn’t use at all last season and it looks to be his out pitch this
season. In two outings so far in five innings he has only given up one hit and
no runs. With Erasmo Ramirez still out and we don’t know when he will return
Gonzales looks like the guy who could be the fourth man in the rotation. Right
now James Paxton looks like the opening day pitcher followed by either Felix
Hernandez or Mike Leake in the second spot. I believe there is an idea how
Leake has done in his two outings that he could pitch right after Paxton and
then Felix. Gonzales being would be in the fourth spot since he is a lefty.
Rob Whalen who missed
most of last season because of depression is one of the good feel stories. He
started on Saturday in place of Felix. He gave up a home run in the first
inning then settled down to pitch a solid game. He had pitched earlier in
relief where he did a good job as well. So he could end up as the fifth starter
if it isn’t Ariel Miranda. Still this depends on Ramirez for the most part.
Another candidate is Andrew Moore but he gave up six runs in his last outing so
he will have to improve to make the roster. If Whalen does continue to do a
good job I would recommend that Moore start the season in Tacoma. Miranda
though could end up starting for the Mariners as well or be the long reliever
in the bullpen. We know that at least on them Whalen, Moore or Miranda will
start the season in Tacoma. I like the fact that the starting rotation has some
good competition for the fifth spot at least.
The backup catcher is
still up for grabs as well. At this point I have no idea who will end up coming
to Seattle in twenty-five days and the same goes for the utility player role.
The answer who will be at first base hasn’t been answered as well. If he is
healthy Ryon Healy should be the first base. Mike Ford could be the first
baseman too being a rule five pickup. The other choice is Dan Vogelbach who is
having good spring training but might end up back in Tacoma when the season
begins.
So the next three
weeks or so all these questions will be answered. Let the best player win out. Go
M’s.
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