Oh, the Mariners. The team I love talking about the most. Even though the Seahawks are currently doing better, it's hard to decide which team I love more. I love the excitement the Seahawks bring, but the Mariners have a spot in my heart, because when I was an adolescent, they were good. I grew up with Griffey, A-Rod, Edgar, Randy, and Ichiro. I remember the 2001 season very clearly, even though it was half my life ago. I love these guys, and that is why I talk about them so much. I love them even when they lose.
So, that brings me to this post. The Mariners currently sit at 18-20, just a game behind the Oakland A's for 2nd place. Not too shabby for this part of the season. We knew the first few months would be tough, with April having almost no days off and May being almost all on the road. Still have half the month of May to work through, but if these guys can hang around .500 until the end of the month, they'll have a shot.
But it's not this season I am particularly excited about. It's the future. I said in a previous blog post that I would honestly and seriously stop caring about this team if they don't contend by 2015 or if they don't have a bright future by then (in other words, a judgment call). I think I will remain a fan of this team, and here's why.
This team is filled with talent. We already know about the Big Three (or Four, if you count Maurer). But there is also some talent in hitting as well. Nick Franklin could end up being the 2nd base answer we've been looking for if Ackley doesn't pan out. Carlos Triunfel looks to finally be ready for the bigs and could be the next Miguel Tejada (without the controversy). I'm excited about Carlos Peguero, who reminds me of a left-handed hitting Sammy Sosa. And of course, there's the #2 overall pick from last year, catcher Mike Zunino. Combine those guys with the guys we have now (who may or may not make it), such as Smoak, Ackley, Saunders, Seager, Montero, etc., and I think we'll be very competitive come 2015 or so.
There of course is the disappointment of Smoak, Ackley, and Montero. Not one of them has performed up to expectations yet. Each was acquired by Jack Zduriencik at great expense, two coming in costly trades where we gave up a very good pitcher, and one coming as the #2 overall pick. Not all prospects pan out, of course. But for every guy that should pan out and don't, there are guys that shouldn't pan out that do. Tom Wilhelmsen came out of nowhere. Kyle Seager wasn't expected to be a complete every day third baseman, yet he is. Michael Saunders was thought to have been mediocre at best, but he keeps getting better.
We also have the makings of the future best bullpen in baseball. Stephen Pryor, Carter Capps, and Yoervis Medina could all someday be All-Star relievers, with one or more of them being a closer at one point.
I'm excited about the future for this team. I'll be even more excited if we make a playoff push this season, or finish close to 2nd in the division. I'm curious as to how our lineup will turn out. Here's what I predict, come 2015 or so:
1. Brad Miller, SS
2. Carlos Triunfel, 3B
3. Kyle Seager, 1B
4. Michael Morse/Jesus Montero/Kendrys Morales, DH
5. Michael Saunders, CF
6. Mike Zunino, C
7. Free Agent Acquisition, LF/RF
8. Julio Morban/Leon Landry, LF/RF
9. Nick Franklin, 2B
And our rotation:
1. Felix Hernandez, RHP
2. Free Agent LHP/Joe Saunders, LHP
3. Brandon Maurer, RHP
4. Danny Paxton, LHP
5. James Paxton/Taijaun Walker, LHP/RHP
Still a lot to take shape over the next couple years. You might've noticed I didn't include Ackley or Smoak, and I only included Montero as a possibility. I just don't see how they can pan out at this point, although if they did, that would certainly be a plus. All I can see is us trading them for other players.
I'm excited, not just to see us succeed hopefully in the next few seasons, but also excited to see how our team takes shape. It was such a wonder to see the current Seahawks team take shape. I think what this team needs most is a hitter that is a leader in the clubhouse. The team already has a leader and pitcher in Felix Hernandez, but what we really need is a leader and a hitter. We had tons of those guys in the late 90's and early 2000's. We might have to get a high profile free agent come 2015 or so, but pair them with the young studs we'll have by then and this team could be very, very good. I can't wait.
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