2023 Pre-Season Profile: Seattle Mariners

 #4

The Seattle Mariners broke their 21 year postseason drought in 2022.  Can 2023 bring about another step towards winning a championship?

2022 Predictions

#8 - 3rd in AL West, WILD CARD, lose in ALDS

MIH - Jesse Winker

MIP - Logan Gilbert

PTW - Julio Rodriguez

2022 Results

#8 - 90-72, 2nd in AL West, WILD CARD, lost in ALDS

Highest WAR (Position) - Julio Rodriguez

Highest WAR (Pitcher) - Logan Gilbert

The drought is over!  The Mariners made the playoffs in 2022 for the first time since their 116 win season in 2001.  They may not have done it the way it was expected though.  They rode the back of their young superstar Julio Rodriguez, who won Rookie of the Year and finished 7th in MVP voting.  Before the 2022 season started, everyone was talking about the impact Jesse Winker would have on the offense, but it was the forgotten part of that trade, Eugenio Suarez, that became a leader of the team.  A Trade Deadline deal, again with the Reds, that brought in starter Luis Castillo revamped the starting rotation and made them a dangerous team in the postseason.  Despite being swept in the ALDS, they were really the only team that gave the Astros any fits in the playoffs.

Additions / Subtractions

Even though Jerry DiPoto has garnered the reputation of being extremely active in roster tweaks, this offseason was comparatively somewhat quiet.  Two main trades defined the offseason for the Mariners.  They brought in outfielder Teoscar Hernandez from the Blue Jays for reliver Erik Swanson to replace the departing Mitch Haniger.  They also ended the Jesse Winker experiment by trading him and Abraham Toro to the Brewers for second baseman Kolten Wong to replace the departing Adam Frazier.  One free agent signing was bringing in veteran outfielder A.J. Pollock.

Most Important Hitter

Ty France

Although Julio was the headline grabber last season, in a lot of ways Ty France was the one that helped keep this lineup moving for the Mariners.  He is one of those players that just knows how to hit.  This earned him his first All Star appearance in 2022.  However, an elbow injury mid-season threw off his swing and timing the rest of the season, and France really struggled to have any production down the stretch.  If the Mariners are going to have a strong lineup, they need Ty France to hit the way he did before his injury.  If he is back to that level, this lineup will score runs.

Most Important Pitcher

Robbie Ray

The Mariners made a big free agency splash before the 2022 season by signing the reigning AL Cy Young winner, Robbie Ray, away from the Blue Jays.  In his first year in Seattle, Ray did not live up to the hype.  Still able to strike out a lot of batters, Ray's ERA+ fell from 157 in 2021 to league average 100 in 2022.  His standard ERA rose from 2.84 in 2021 to 3.71 in 2022.  His inconsistency forced the Mariners to trade for another ace mid-season, and he ended the season relegated to the bullpen in the ALDS and gave up a game-winning, back-breaking home run to Yordan Alvarez in Game 1.  It looks like he has made some changes in the offseason and is ready to have a better season.  The Mariners need him to be better to provide that right/left 1-2 punch at the top of the rotation.

Prospect to Watch

Bryce Miller

The Mariners quickly went from one of the best farm systems in baseball to one of the worst thanks to guys like Julio Rodriguez, Logan Gilbert, George Kirby, and Jarred Kelenic graduating from the list, then trading away a bunch of their depth in a variety of trades.  Only two players remain for the Mariners in the Top 100, with Bryce Miller (#98 on Top 100) being ready to impact the big league roster this season.  Miller is a 24 year old right-handed starter that may have had a chance to be a part of the rotation on Opening Day if not for the tremendous pitching depth in Seattle.  He will get his chance at some point this season though, and when he does, he might be the next great young arm in Seattle's arsenal.

2023 Prediction

2nd in AL West, WILD CARD, lose in ALCS

I don't know if the Mariners are ready to dethrone the Astros at the top of the division, but they showed last season that they are ready to compete with anyone in the postseason.  They are built to compete in the playoffs and will be a dangerous team in October.  My slightly skeptical fandom might be the only thing keeping me from putting them in the World Series, but they are definitely good enough to get there.

Fearless Prediction

Julio Rodriguez finishes in the top 3 in the MVP voting.

This might not feel like that fearless of a prediction.  A fearless prediction would be picking Julio to win the MVP.  However, when you remember that the American League also includes so many people you have to vote for out of principle, like the unicorn Shohei Ohtani, the best player in baseball Mike Trout, and the reigning MVP Aaron Judge, cracking the top 3 in MVP voting would be quite a feat.  Give Julio 5 years, and he will be the best player in baseball.

2022 MLB Pre-Season Predictions: #10-1

We may be over a week into the season, but I wanted to finish my predictions before we got too far in.  Here's the top 10!

#10

Philadelphia Phillies

2021 Prediction: #14, 4th in NL East

2021 Fearless Prediction: Joe Girardi will be fired after the season.

2021 Result: #15, 82-80, 2nd in NL East

Most Important Hitter: Bryce Harper

Most Important Pitcher: Ranger Suarez

Prospect to Watch: Bryson Stott

2022 Prediction: 2nd in NL East, WILD CARD, lose in Wild Card Round

Bryce Harper rode a hot second half to the NL MVP.  If he is able to put another season together like that, it might finally be the time for this Phillies core group to make a postseason run.  If not, this will truly be the end of Joe Girardi's run in Philly.  It might also mean the dismantling of this roster.

#9

Los Angeles Angels

2021 Prediction: #16, 3rd in AL West

2021 Fearless Prediction: Justin Upton and Dexter Fowler will be traded for prospects at the Trade Deadline.

2021 Result: #19, 77-85, 4th in AL West

Most Important Hitter: Anthony Rendon

Most Important Pitcher: Noah Syndergaard

Prospect to Watch: Reid Detmers

2022 Prediction: 1st in AL West, lose in Wild Card Round

The success or failure of the Angels all has to do with health.  If Ohtani, Trout, Rendon, and Syndergaard all stay healthy for the majority of the season, then the Angels could surprise everyone and come away with this division.  Can you imagine the hysteria around the league if Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani finally play their first postseason games?  It would only make sense if they lose in the first round.

#8

Seattle Mariners

2021 Prediction: #22, 4th in AL West

2021 Fearless Prediction: The Mariners will have four straight Rookies of the Year.

2021 Result: #10, 90-72, 2nd in AL West

Most Important Hitter: Jesse Winker

Most Important Pitcher: Logan Gilbert

Prospect to Watch: Julio Rodriguez

2022 Prediction: 3rd in AL West, WILD CARD, lose in ALDS

As a Mariners fan, it scares me to place them this high in my preseason rankings.  Maybe that's why I'm predicting them to finish 3rd, but still make the playoffs and get out of the Wild Card Round.  The M's were a surprise success last year and have definitely upgraded the rotation and the lineup.  If everything pays off, the longest playoff draught around should end.

#7

Houston Astros

2021 Prediction: #13, 2nd in AL West

2021 Fearless Prediction: One of the Astros three core players left is playing their last season as an Astro.

2021 Result: #2, 95-67, 1st in AL West, lost in World Series

Most Important Hitter: Kyle Tucker

Most Important Pitcher: Justin Verlander

Prospect to Watch: Jeremy Pena

2022 Prediction: 2nd in AL West, WILD CARD, lose in ALDS

How many times can a team lose a superstar and not skip a beat?  After the 2019 season, Gerrit Cole (3rd in team WAR) signs with the Yankees.  After the 2020 season, George Springer (team leader in WAR) signs with the Blue Jays.  After the 2021 season, Carlos Correa (team leader in WAR) signs with the Twins.  Somehow they keep excelling.  They have to be coming to the end of this magical run though.

#6

San Diego Padres

2021 Prediction: #9, 2nd in NL West, WILD CARD, lose in Wild Card Game

2021 Fearless Prediction: The San Diego Padres will win the NL West in 2022.

2021 Result: #16, 79-83, 3rd in NL West

Most Important Hitter: Manny Machado

Most Important Pitcher: Yu Darvish

Prospect to Watch: C.J. Abrams

2022 Prediction: 2nd in NL West, WILD CARD, lose in NLDS

The Padres had an epic meltdown in 2021, going from one of the best teams in baseball in the first half to looking like a mess in the second half.  Now they have one of the best managers in the game, one of the best young stars in the game, and still one of the best storylines in the game.  The Padres are still ready to break out.  They might not win the division this year, but they have to take a step forward.

#5

Milwaukee Brewers

2021 Prediction: #15, 2nd in NL Central

2021 Fearless Prediction: The Brewers will have no offensive players make the All Star Team.

2021 Result: #3, 95-67, 1st in NL Central, lost in NLDS

Most Important Hitter: Christian Yelich

Most Important Pitcher: Corbin Burnes

Prospect to Watch: Ethan Small

2022 Prediction: 1st in NL Central, lose in NLDS

The Brewers rode one of the best pitching staffs in baseball to another playoff run.  They will need a repeat performance from the pitchers, led by reigning Cy Young winner Corbin Burnes, and a resurgence from former MVP Christian Yelich, to make a deep run in 2022.

#4

New York Mets

2021 Prediction: #7, 2nd in NL East, WILD CARD, lose in NLDS

2021 Fearless Prediction: Robinson Cano has played his last game in the big leagues.

2021 Result: #17, 77-85, 3rd in NL East

Most Important Hitter: Francisco Lindor

Most Important Pitcher: Max Scherzer

Prospect to Watch: Brett Baty

2022 Prediction: 1st in NL East, lose in NLCS

If it was possible to buy a championship, the Mets did so this offseason.  Max Scherzer, Starling Marte, Mark Canha, Chris Bassitt ... they definitely spent the most money over the offseason.  Now they have an All Star lineup with an old school veteran manager in Buck Showalter.  They just might have what it takes to make a deep run in 2022.

#3

Chicago White Sox

2021 Prediction: #2, 1st in AL Central, lose in World Series

2021 Fearless Prediction: Tony La Russa wins AL Manager of the Year.

2021 Result: #6, 93-69, 1st in AL Central, lose in ALDS

Most Important Hitter: Luis Robert

Most Important Pitcher: Michael Kopech

Prospect to Watch: Yoelqui Cespedes

2022 Prediction: 1st in AL Central, lose in ALCS

The White Sox have put together a terrific roster that looks ready to make a deep run in the postseason.  They have had some experience the last few years.  Even though they are starting the season with a bunch of injuries, they look ready to take another step forward this year.

#2

Los Angeles Dodgers

2021 Prediction: #3, 1st in NL West, lose in NLCS

2021 Fearless Prediction: This is the last year Clayton Kershaw wears Dodgers blue.

2021 Result: #2, 106-56, 2nd in NL West, lose in NLCS

Most Important Hitter: Cody Bellinger

Most Important Pitcher: Julio Urias

Prospect to Watch: Michael Busch

2022 Prediction: 1st in NL West, lose in World Series

The amount of talent on the Dodgers roster is borderline ridiculous.  To pick anyone other than the Dodgers to win it all should be considered controversial.  It's also extremely boring.  On top of that, the only time the Dodgers actually pulled out a championship during this run was the COVID-shortened 2020 season.  They will be right there again in 2022, but I have them just short once again.

#1

Toronto Blue Jays

2021 Prediction: #5, 2nd in AL East, WILD CARD, lose in ALDS

2021 Fearless Prediction: The Blue Jays will trade for a closer before Memorial Day.

2021 Result: #9, 91-71, 4th in AL East

Most Important Hitter: George Springer

Most Important Pitcher: Jose Berrios

Prospect to Watch: Gabriel Moreno

2022 Prediction: 1st in AL East, win World Series

No team has been through more adversity over the last two years than the Toronto Blue Jays.  The 2020 season was spent in Buffalo, the 2021 season was split between their Spring Training home, Buffalo, and finally Toronto when COVID protocols allowed the border to be opened enough to let them travel there.  They also play in probably the best division in baseball.  They also have one of the greatest young cores in the game.  They are battle tested, they have a perennial MVP candidate ... as long as their pitching can hold out, they have to be a candidate for the title.  I can see it happen in 2022!

2021 Pre-Season Profile: Seattle Mariners

 #22

The Seattle Mariners have gotten the reputation of being one of the biggest newsmakers of the last few offseasons.  This year, they made news for the wrong reasons.  Now they have one of the more exciting young rosters in the league and a front office in turmoil.  How will all the drama affect the on-field production in 2021?

2020 Predictions

#26 - 5th in AL West

MIH - Daniel Vogelbach

MIP - Yusei Kikuchi

PTW - Evan White

FP - The Mariners will not have a single reliever with more than 10 saves.

2020 Results

#19 - 27-33, 3rd in AL West

The Mariners overachieved in the shortened 2020 season, playing meaningful games in the last few weeks as they had a chance to sneak into the playoffs for the first time since 2001.  They did all this without the help of every player I mentioned in my prediction.  Daniel Vogelbach was DFA'ed early on in the season, Yusei Kikuchi was their worst starting pitcher in terms of ERA+, and Evan White was one of the worst hitters in the league (despite winning a Gold Glove).  The standouts on the season were Rookie of the Year Kyle Lewis, Gold Glove winner J.P. Crawford, and utilityman Dylan Moore who led the team in WAR.

Additions / Subtractions

In the past few seasons, the Mariners seem to pull off a trade every week over the offseason, but this year was curiously quiet as the roster has now been fully reset.  There were some minor moves made to complement the new young emerging core.  The only adds were on the pitching front with a couple bullpen arms coming in with Ken Giles (who won't pitch till 2022), Rafael Montero, and Keynan Middleton and a couple adds to the rotation with Chris Flexen and a reunion with James Paxton.  The lineup looks exactly the same as it did at the end of last season.  The biggest news of the offseason was the resignation of Team President Kevin Mather after an embarrassing video came to light where he revealed way too much about the behind the scenes workings of the organization and his opinions on the Mariners' stars and top prospects.

Most Important Hitter

Kyle Lewis

In 2020, Kyle Lewis might have been the biggest breakout surprise of the season.  The former Golden Spikes winner in college finally showed why he was a first round pick and a potential face of a franchise.  With all that said, he ended the year in quite a slump.  In a normal season, we would have been able to see if he could come out of that slump or if that slump would have defined his season.  Now we are entering 2021, and the Mariners are counting on Lewis being the superstar he was the first half the 2020 season.  The real answer is we don't know which is the real Kyle Lewis.  Either way, for the Mariners to have success in 2021, Lewis needs to be great.

Most Important Pitcher

Justus Sheffield

Another surprise of the 2020 season, Justus Sheffield finally fulfilled some of the promise he showed as a top prospect that was the centerpiece of the package sent to the Mariners by the Yankees in the James Paxton deal.  (On a side note, it is quite ironic that both Paxton and Sheffield are now in the same rotation in Seattle.)  Sheffield had a quiet breakout season and is now going to be counted on as a dependable key piece of their rotation in 2021.  He needs to continue to grow and take steps forward to show that he can be counted on in 2021 and beyond.

Prospect to Watch

Jarred Kelenic

Give the front office some credit!  In 2018, the Mariners were one of the oldest rosters in the league and had one of the worst farm systems.  Now, they are one of the youngest rosters with one of the top farm systems about to make some serious impact at the big league level.  They have 6 players in the top 100 prospects in baseball, along with two in the top 5.  It was hard to choose just one prospect because I see multiple players making their big league debut and having a huge impact in 2021.  Logan Gilbert is a big flamethrower that could easily be the ace of the Mariners' staff by the end of the season.  However, the only real answer here is Jarred Kelenic.  The centerpiece of the Robinson Cano/Edwin Diaz trade with the Mets, Kelenic has been flying up the prospect lists (now at #4 in baseball) ever since he was drafted and now seems ready to be a star.  He was also one of the primary targets of the Kevin Mather rant, criticizing him for not taking a club-friendly long-term contract and admitting that the Mariners are planning on manipulating his service time.  Even though he has never played over AA ball, he might be starting in leftfield on Opening Day just for the club to save some face and see if his star can truly take off.

2021 Predictions

4th in AL West

This is a hard one to predict.  The Mariners surprised in the short 2020 season, but they also seem content to look towards 2022 as their year to make the big leap into contention.  At the same time, they have a ton of exciting young talent that will be hitting the field every night.  The turmoil in the front office could also unite the young roster or turn them against the organization.  I think they will show flashes of the possible greatness that is to come while uniting together, but ultimately they are going to still be a year away.  It wouldn't surprise me if they end up around a .500 record though.

Fearless Prediction

The Mariners will have four straight Rookies of the Year.

Like I said, the Mariners have a ridiculous farm system filled with talent that will be hitting the big leagues over the next few years.  Kyle Lewis surprised everyone last season by winning Rookie of the Year.  Jarred Kelenic is definitely a favorite to win that award in 2021.  In 2022, the Mariners' next big prospect Julio Rodriguez should be ready to break out.  In 2023, stud infielder Noelvi Marte (who will probably work his way up to a top 10 prospect ranking before he hits the big leagues) will be the next big star.  All of that without even mentioning the pitching studs like Logan Gilbert that could be in the running for the award as well.  So although the team might not be great this season, and the front office might currently be a dumpster fire, it is a pretty exciting time to be a Mariners fan.

2020 Pre-Season Profile: Seattle Mariners

#26

The Seattle Mariners started an epic rebuild in 2019, turning over almost their entire roster with an eye towards the long term future.  Will 2020 already show some results of the roster reset?

2019 Predictions

#20 - 4th in AL West

MIH: Dee Gordon

MIP: Marco Gonzales

PTW: Justus Sheffield

FP: Felix Hernandez will not finish the season on the Mariners roster.

2019 Result

#25 - 68-94 - 5th in AL West

The Mariners had one of the strangest seasons in baseball history in 2019.  They started the season with a ridiculous 13-2 run.  Then they floundered the rest of the way, posting one of the worst records in baseball.  They became the first team in baseball history to be both 10 game above .500 and 10 games below .500 before Memorial Day.  Their roster had a ridiculous amount of turnover throughout the season, with veterans like Edwin Encarnacion, Jay Bruce, Mike Leake, Anthony Swarzak, and Hunter Strickland getting traded mid-season to contenders.  It was thought that Dee Gordon could be one of those trade candidates, but he couldn't stay healthy enough (or good enough).  Same goes for King Felix, who spent more time on the IL than on the roster in 2019, making my prediction fall flat.  Justus Sheffield was definitely a disappointment as well.  Starting the year with the idea that he would be in the rotation in the first couple months, he instead was demoted to AA and spent most of the season there instead, dropping from a top 100 prospect in baseball to being the 13th best prospect in the Mariners' system.  Marco Gonzales was a bright spot for the Mariners, being one of the most consistent starters in the league and posting a 200 inning season, something only a 15 pitchers did in 2019.  It earned him an offseason extension.  With all this said, the 2019 Mariners season will be remembered for two picture perfect sendoffs to two Mariner legends the bookended the season.  First, there was the official retirement of Ichiro in Tokyo following the Mariners two game opening series there.  Then in September came the last start for Felix Hernandez as a Mariner.  Both moments were unforgettable and exactly what they deserved.

Additions / Subtractions

General Manager Jerry DiPoto has earned a reputation since joining the Mariners as a constant roster adjuster.  He is always wheeling and dealing and reshaping his team.  However, with all the moves during the 2019 offseason and season, it set up for a quiet 2020 offseason.  Some didn't believe he was capable of that, and moves were made, but it did turn out to be relatively uneventful.  Leaving the team via free agency were starters Tommy Milone, Wade LeBlanc, and King Felix as well as outfielder Domingo Santana.  Starting catcher Omar Narvaez was traded to Milwaukee.  Added to the roster were some veterans in the rotation in Kendall Graveman and Taijuan Walker to hold positions until more of the prospects are ready.  Outside of a few bullpen pieces, that was it.  Like I said, a quiet offseason for DiPoto's Mariners.

Most Important Hitter

Daniel Vogelbach

Last season, the Mariners only had one All Star.  That All Star was DH Daniel Vogelbach, who got off to a great start to the year.  In fact, it was his fast start that allowed the Mariners to trade veterans like Encarnacion and Bruce so early.  However, by the All Star Game, there were already signs of a slump, and the second half of 2019 saw Vogelbach become one of the worst hitters in baseball.  After hitting .310 with 8 home runs in April, he hit only .162 with 6 home runs after the All Star Break.  Last season was one where Vogelbach needed to prove he belongs.  Now, he needs to prove he should be a part of the long term plans of the Mariners.  To do that, with all the talent the Mariners have coming through their system, he needs to find some consistency.

Most Important Pitcher

Yusei Kikuchi

Speaking of showing they belong, Yusei Kikuchi was really the Mariners only big free agent signing in 2019.  The Japanese import was looked at as a potential ace after a successful career across the Pacific.  In his first season of big league baseball, the 28 year old struggled with a 5.46 ERA and an 80 ERA+.  The Mariners picked him up hoping he could anchor the rotation along with Marco for the foreseeable future.  Now, Kikuchi needs to show he can take a leap forward and prove he can be a formidable starter in the big leagues.

Prospect to Watch

Evan White

Through their crazy offseason rebuild in 2019, the Mariners have one of the strongest farm systems in baseball.  Currently, they have 5 players listed in the top 100 prospects in baseball with two in the top 20.  Many of their top prospects are almost ready to burst on the scene with several others already there.  There is a possibility as many as 3 or 4 rookies start Opening Day in Seattle with others coming along mid-season (unless the delay to the start of the season pushes their timeline back a year).  Of this group starting the season in the big leagues, the most exciting is definitely first baseman Evan White.  Ranked #56 in all of baseball, this 23 year old former 1st round pick from 2017 signed a 6 year big league contract with the Mariners this offseason before ever playing a big league game.  That's how much confidence they have in his potential.  At his worst, he is a Gold Glove caliber first baseman as many say he might have been the best defender at any position in all the minor leagues last season.  He can also hit too, as last season he showed some great potential in his approach at the plate.  With the big league contract already in hand, look for White to get every opportunity to learn and develop at the big league level in 2020 while picking it better than anyone around.

2020 Prediction

5th in AL West

There is a lot to be excited about in Seattle and the direction they are heading, but let's not kid ourselves.  2020 is going to be rough.  The M's are only starting one "veteran" on Opening Day and that is 3rd baseman Kyle Seager (thanks to former All Star Mitch Haniger's constant injury issues).  The rest of the team are youngsters trying to prove themselves.  They are exciting youngsters, and the next wave behind them is even more exciting, but that won't bring about success in 2020.  The only reason the Mariners are not lower on my list is the fact that so many of these young prospects are due to hit the big leagues in 2020 and bring a spark and some excitement to the roster throughout the season.

Fearless Prediction

The Mariners will not have a single reliever with more than 10 saves.

The biggest Achilles heel of the Mariners last season, among many things, was their bullpen.  There was a constant revolving door of pitchers as they were constantly trying to find the right combination of rookies and reclamation projects to make a serviceable group.  They never found it.  In that search, they also never found a consistent closer, with 9 different relievers recording a save, and the leader (Roenis Elias who was traded mid-season) only posting 14.  The Mariners are not going to win a whole bunch of games, and with there not being any obvious choice for closer entering the season, look for the load to be shared once again with the reliever that is struggling the least any particular day to get the ball in the 9th.

2019 Pre-Season Profile: Seattle Mariners

#20

The Seattle Mariners followed up an 89 win season in 2018 with a crazy active offseason that reset their roster for the second time in three years, this time aiming for more sustainable success.  Will all these moves lead to similar success in 2019?

2018 Predictions

3rd in AL West

Ichiro will be released by Memorial Day.

2018 Results

89-73, 3rd in AL West

Although the Mariners ended up exactly where I predicted them to be, it says little about the season they had.  For most of 2018, the Mariners looked destined to end their long playoff drought until a tough stretch to end the season, combined with a furious charge by the A's, kept them from the postseason.  Through many ups and downs, including Ichiro only lasting a month (but not leaving the organization) and a half and Robinson Cano getting suspended for steroids, the season had to be considered a success even without the playoff berth.

Additions / Subtractions

General manager Jerry DiPoto can't help but make move after move every offseason.  This winter saw several blockbuster trades that, as he said, "re-imagined" the Mariners roster.  First, catcher Mike Zunino and outfielder Guillermo Heredia were sent to Tampa Bay for centerfielder Mallex Smith.  Then, second baseman Robinson Cano and closer Edwin Diaz were sent to the Mets for outfielder Jay Bruce, top prospects Jerred Kelenic and Justin Dunn, and reliever prospect Gerson Bautista.  Then, ace James Paxton was traded to the Yankees for pitching prospects Justus Sheffield and Erik Swanson.  Then, shortstop Jean Segura along with relievers Juan Nicasio and James Pazos was traded to the Phillies for shortstop prospect J.P. Crawford and slugger Carlos Santana.  Then, Carlos Santana was traded to the Indians for slugger Edwin Encarnacion.  Then, reliever Alex Colome was traded to the White Sox for catcher Omar Narvaez.  Then, outfielder Ben Gamel was traded to the Brewers for outfielder Domingo Santana.  Then, Nelson Cruz, Denard Span, Cameron Maybin, Nick Vincent, and Erasmo Ramirez left in free agency.  Coming in through free agency were shortstop Tim Beckham, closer Hunter Strickland, and Japanese ace Yusei Kikuchi.  It is like DiPoto treats the Mariners roster the way I would treat my fantasy roster.

Most Important Hitter

Dee Gordon

One of the bigger acquisitions of last offseason was speedster Dee Gordon.  After an experiment of putting him in centerfield was thwarted by the Cano suspension, he is entering 2019 as the Mariners starting second baseman.  A former batting champion in 2015, Gordon fought through injuries to a disappointing season of just hitting .268 and an ERA+ of 79.  Looking at Gordon's track record, he tends to alternate good seasons and bad seasons.  2015 was good, 2016 was poor.  2017 was good, 2018 was poor.  Now we are in 2019, and the on base machine should be back at it.  If that happens, he will either emerge as a top veteran leader of this club or be the latest to be traded for more prospects.

Most Important Pitcher

Marco Gonzales

One of the biggest developments of the 2018 season was the emergence of Marco Gonzales as the new ace of the Mariners staff, especially once James Paxton was traded.  Marco's season had ups and downs, but when he was on there were few better.  He will end Felix Hernandez's streak of 10 straight Opening Day starts, and no one argues that he hasn't earned it.  He is now a few years removed from Tommy John surgery, with 2018 being his first full season in the big leagues.  He threw 166.2 innings in 2018.  Before that, his high innings count in the big leagues was 40 innings in 2017.  The biggest question for Marco's 2019 season is whether he will continue to progress and grow into the staff ace or if he will break down from too much work.

Prospect to Watch

Justus Sheffield

All those trades made this offseason took the Mariners farm system from being worst in the league to almost hitting the top 10.  The best prospect they received is also the one most likely to have a big impact this season.  Justus Sheffield pitched sparingly for the Yankees last season, mainly providing some depth in the bullpen at the end of the season.  However, look for Sheffield to be a staple of the Mariners rotation by the end of this season and join Marco, Kikuchi, and Wade LeBlanc in the super lefty-heavy rotation.

2019 Prediction

4th in AL West

This team is nowhere near as good as it was last year.  Too many productive veterans were moved for too many unproven prospects.  However, the thought behind the moves seems to have been achieved.  If they win 89 games and can't make the playoffs right now, then there isn't much they can do to get over that hump as things stand today.  So take a step back, and live to fight in 2020 and 2021, when some of the powerhouses (Astros, Yankees, Red Sox) may need to start looking at breaking up their current core due to either age or free agency.  That is when the Mariners are now looking at peaking.  They have a shot to be around .500 this season, but they won't be competing for the playoffs much this season.

Fearless Prediction

Felix Hernandez will not finish the season on the Mariners roster.

The biggest mystery of the Mariners season is what to do with King Felix.  He has been the team's unquestioned ace for over a decade.  However, the last couple season have seen a falloff in production as his workload seems to have caught up with him.  He is entering his age 33 season and the final deal of his 7 year, $175 million deal he signed in 2013.  Everyone keeps waiting for the second stage of his career to start, but it is looking more and more like it will never come.  With the direction this roster is going, I see only two ways this season plays out for Felix: either he plays well enough to get trade value to be moved or he continues his poor play and ends up released.  Either way, as weird as it is to say for the face of this franchise, but it is hard to see a scenario where Felix Hernandez finishes this season on the Mariners roster.

2018 MLB Pre-Season Profiles: #15-11

These are the teams I am predicting will just miss the playoffs in 2018.  See who gets left out.

#15

Arizona Diamondbacks

Most Important Hitter: David Peralta

Most Important Pitcher: Robbie Ray

Prospect to Watch: Taylor Clarke

2018 Prediction: 4th in NL West

Bold Prediction: This will be Zack Greinke's last season in Arizona.

The Diamondbacks were a surprise playoff team in 2017, but they were propelled there by an other-worldly finish by J.D. Martinez.  Their biggest mistake was not adequately replacing him.  Steven Souza, Jr. is good, but not as good as J.D.  They will need increased production out of guys like David Peralta, A.J. Pollock, and Yasmany Tomas (who is currently in AAA) to pick up the slack.  Robbie Ray needs to repeat his All Star performance in 2018 to solidify a rotation headed by an aging Zack Greinke.  I could see the D-Backs moving on from him after this season to take the next step forward.

#14

Seattle Mariners

Most Important Hitter: Mike Zunino

Most Important Pitcher: James Paxton

Prospect to Watch: Max Povse

2018 Prediction: 3rd in AL West

Bold Prediction: Ichiro will be released by Memorial Day.

The Mariners have the longest playoff drought in professional sports, having last made the playoffs in 2001 when Ichiro was a rookie.  They have a shot at making it this year, but it all comes down to health.  James Paxton can be one of the best aces in the league if he can stay on the field.  King Felix can still be the King if he can stay healthy.  Mike Zunino finally showed off his bat in 2017, but needs to repeat the performance (instead, he is currently on the DL).  If healthy, they can compete with almost any team in the league.  Staying healthy will be a challenge though.  Ichiro was brought in because of their injuries (and a great story), but I don't see him lasting long at 44 years old.

#13

San Francisco Giants

Most Important Hitter: Andrew McCutchen

Most Important Pitcher: Madison Bumgarner

Prospect to Watch: Steven Duggar

2018 Prediction: 3rd in NL West

Bold Prediction: Half of the Giants' Opening Day roster will not be on the roster Opening Day 2019.

The Giants decided to take their aging roster and double down by adding more veterans (Andrew McCutchen, Evan Longoria) to try and make another run at the playoffs.  They are very interesting because of this.  If these two are able to rekindle some of their glory day magic, then the Giants will be a formidable foe this year.  If not, they will once again be disappointing.  Their farm system is terrible, and I could easily see them blowing up the roster at the end of the season if 2018 doesn't result in a postseason run.

#12

St. Louis Cardinals

Most Important Hitter: Tommy Pham

Most Important Pitcher: Michael Wacha

Prospect to Watch: Alex Reyes

2018 Prediction: 3rd in NL Central

Bold Prediction: The Cardinals will make at least one blockbuster trade at the Trade Deadline.

The Cardinals are not used to missing the playoffs, yet they have now missed the postseason two years in a row.  I am predicting this season will make it three.  They remade their outfield with Tommy Pham as the centerpiece, but he has fluke written all over him.  They have an ace in Carlos Martinez, but a guy like Michael Wacha needs to step up to give the rotation depth.  They lucked out by signing Greg Holland on Opening Day to anchor their bullpen, but it is still thin.  There are just too many questions.  One thing they do have is a lot of major league ready talent in the minors.  This is why they will be making a trade or two this year to try and turn around what could be a disappointing season for the Cardinals fans with such high standards.

#11

Minnesota Twins

Most Important Hitter: Byron Buxton

Most Important Pitcher: Fernando Rodney

Prospect to Watch: Nick Gordon

2018 Prediction: 2nd in AL Central

Bold Prediction: Byron Buxton will start in centerfield in the All Star Game.

The best team to miss the playoffs in 2018 will be the Twins.  They made a miraculous turnaround from worst team in the league to the Wild Card last season.  Now they will try and stay there.  A lot of offseason moves have really improved this roster.  Relying on Rodney to anchor your bullpen is stressful.  Buxton will be a superstar by the end of the season.  They will just come up a little short.

Stay tuned for the playoff teams!