Building on the Bullpen Or Losing Someone

A major reason the Seattle Mariners
won 90 games was the bullpen. A
group of guys you would not have
expected.

Paul Sewald certainly was a surprise

since he signed a minor league contract

and started the season in Tacoma. He

ended up being the Mariners best

reliever at the end of games. Sometimes

Paul would close or come in 7th or 8th

inning depending on the opponent lineup.

Most of the time he would have the top

or middle of the lineup. The other team's

best hitters and had success most of the

time. Of course it didn't start out that 

way.

Drew Steckenrider was another one

we could see anywhere between the

7th and the 9th inning. He ended the

season as the Mariners closer. He

stumbled in his opening game for

the Mariners but after that he was

sailing through for the most part.

The third member was Casey Sadler

who the Mariners picked up off 

waivers in 2020. He had such success

he didn't give up a run for like 27

straight games and ended the season

that way. Often and especially after

the trading deadline Sadler was the

first Mariner to come out of the 

bullpen regardless of the inning.

The question now will all three

pitchers be back next season. The

likelihood they will be but the

Mariners may have to deal one

of them to get a trade they like

to make. I expect Sewald and

Sadler won't go anywhere but

Steckenrider could under the

right circumstances. 

The Mariners look going into

2022 adding depth to the bullpen.

Already on the 40-man roster

or will be anyway. Andres Munoz

who was out most of last year.

The Mariners acquired him along

Ty France, and Luis Torrens to

mention two. The other is Ken 

Giles who sat out last year as

well. The Mariners signed him

as a free agent though they knew

he would not pitch in 2021.

This means the Mariners will

be able to have several relievers

who will be able to pitch in the

last three innings of the game.

We certainly will see Munoz

and Giles in there. The Mariners

have Diego Castillo they added

at the trade deadline. Who knows

might have one or two others as

well. 

Most likely the Mariners will go

with eight possibly nine relievers.

Unless someone is dealt six

for sure will be in there unless

an injury happens to someone.

Go M's.