03-24-2024 MLB Preview - Flipbook - Page 28
MLB ’24 AL WEST PREVIEW SEATTLE MARINERS
Sunday, March 24, 2024 28
2023: 88-74, third place | Manager: Scott Servais (ninth season) | Opening Day: March 28 vs. Boston
OVERVIEW
TOP HITTERS
SS J.P. Crawford (.266, 19, 65, .818 OPS), DH Mitch Garver (.270, 19,
50, .870 OPS in 87 games with Rangers), 2B Jorge Polanco (.255, 14,
48 with Twins), C Cal Raleigh (.232, 30, 75).
Projected Rotation
RH Luis Castillo (14-9, 3.34 ERA, 219 Ks in 197 innings), RH George
Kirby (13-10, 3.35, 172 Ks, 19 walks), RH Logan Gilbert (13-7, 3.73), RH
Bryce Miller (8-7, 4.32 in 25 starts), RH Bryan Woo (4-5, 4.21 in 18
starts).
Key Relievers
RH Andrés Muñoz (4-7, 2.94 ERA, 13 saves), RH Matt Brash (9-4,
3.06, 107 Ks, league-high 78 appearances), RH Gregory Santos (2-2,
3.39 in 60 appearances with White Sox), RH Ryne Stanek (3-1, 4.09
in 55 games with Houston), LH Gabe Speier (2-2, 3.79 in 69 games).
Outlook
Hamstrung by ownership not wanting to spend in free agency for
a variety of reasons, Seattle’s front office had to get creative in an
attempt to improve a team that finished two games out of a playoff
berth. The Mariners may be marginally better than a year ago, but
that might not be enough to topple Texas and Houston in the AL
West. Rodríguez seems determined not to let last year’s playoff
miss happen again. He’d be helped if Garver and Haniger can avoid
injuries and if Ty France can rediscover his swing after a miserable
2023. Seattle has one of the best rotations in baseball — led by
Castillo, Kirby and Gilbert — so a ton of runs on offense
might not be needed. But the Mariners must cut down
on strikeouts and be better situationally. The bullpen
could be a concern with several key arms slowed during
spring training, but the Mariners have shown an ability
in recent years to find hard throwers to fill key spots
in relief.
ONE TO WATCH
CF Julio Rodríguez
(.275, 32 HRs, 103
RBIs, .818 OPS)
— Associated Press
LINDSEY
WASSON/AP
HE’S HERE
2B Jorge Polanco (left), 3B Luis Urías, OF/1B Luke Raley, DH Mitch Garver, RF Mitch Haniger, C Seby Zavala,
RHP Gregory Santos, RHP Austin Voth, RHP Ryne Stanek.
HE’S OUTTA HERE
INF Jose Caballero, 3B Eugenio Suárez, LF Jarred Kelenic, RF Teoscar Hernández, RHP Chris Flexen, LHP Marco Gonzales, RHP
Justin Topa.
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