The Mariners just concluded their 2014 season, and for the 13th straight season failed to make the playoffs. However, not a lot of people picked them to make the playoffs (myself included). I predicted the M's to lose 93 games, and instead they pleasantly surprised most of us and went 87-75. However, the Mariners faded towards the stretch, their pitching fell apart while the hitting remained subpar, and they lost 9 of 12 in September before winning their last 4 games, which wasn't enough. I predicted Jack Zduriencik to be fired, and he probably would have been had the Mariners lost 93 games. But instead, his contract was extended, and it's not something I agree with.
The Mariners were a competitive team around the trade deadline this season for the first time in a while, so general manager Jack Zduriencik tried helping the offense by trading for three hitters: Chris Denorfia, Kendrys Morales, and Austin Jackson. Not one of them really provided much pop in the lineup. Denorfia was supposed to hit well off of lefties but didn't. Morales was supposed to provide a presence at the cleanup spot but would often create an out between Cano and Seager. And Jackson, while providing a good presence at the top of the lineup, good speed and good defense, didn't do enough to justify the trade nor to be the team's future in centerfield. Jackson struggled mightily at times with strikeouts, and he is still looking for his first home run as a Mariner. Despite these inadequate trades, the Mariners ownership decided to extend the contract of general manager Jack Zduriencik, merely because the Mariners remained relevant due to their excellent pitching.
While the Mariners struggled at times, they did win more games than they lost, and it's because of a handful of players. Felix Hernandez pitched perhaps his best baseball ever and will likely win his second Cy Young Award. Hishashi Iwakuma, after coming off an injury, pitched great baseball until late in the season. Chris Young wins the Surprise Player of the Year award, making the roster and pitching great as well. And Robinson Cano proved to be worth the $240 million contract, hitting well and providing veteran leadership in the clubhouse. And Kyle Seager played his best baseball and made the All-Star team, being the first home-grown position player to be an All-Star since Jose Lopez. And let's not forget Dustin Ackley, who got hot in July and August and single-handedly won us a few ballgames. Finally, closer Fernando Rodney set a Mariners team record with saves with 47, and the entire Mariners bullpen was just downright dominant. So this team had some bright spots that hopefully can continue into 2015.
The theme throughout this year was excellent pitching to go with some (hopefully) timely hitting. But often times that hitting was simply not there. This team again struggled with the bats, hitting under .250 as a team for the fifth straight season, despite Robinson Cano and his .314 average. The hitting will continue to plague this team and prevent them from making the playoffs until it is fixed. Cano is a good start. Seager will only get better. Ackley might be good enough to get his batting average even higher next season. But who else will complement those guys? Zunino constantly hit around the Mendoza line, but hopefully he'll improve for 2015. Who is the answer at DH? Are Jackson, LoMo, and Taylor the answers at their positions? Time will tell. But until the hitting is fixed, this team won't go far. This team must (and I cannot stress this enough) acquire some decent bats this offseason, and no washed up hitters like Cory Hart or Jack Cust. They're just never worth it.
I made a post three and a half years ago saying this team needs to make the playoffs by 2015 or look like a playoff contender by then. Well, the 2015 season will be here before we know it. We'll have to see what Jack Zduriencik does in the offseason. The Mariners obviously need another bat or two, either at an outfield spot, first base, or designated hitter. The 2015 season will basically be a make-or-break type season for the M's, with Felix and Cano nearing the end of the prime of their playing careers. They won't be able to put up the same numbers for much longer, so time is running short. Zduriencik must do everything possible to put together the most competitive team he can for 2015, without selling the farm like his predecessor, Bill Bavasi. A letdown season in 2015 would be killer and would set the team back another couple years.
Let's not forget manager Lloyd McClendon. Had the Mariners made the playoffs, he'd be in serious contention for manager of the year. He expected a lot of his players and benched them when necessary. He fought for his players with umpires and he usually made the right call. He also did his best to put together the best lineup possible, arranging guys and spots on a daily basis. McClendon did the best he could with what he was given, and I give him kudos. He's definitely the right man for the job. He just needs to be given a bit more to work with. When he's given the right tools to work with, we'll see how good Lloyd can make this team. Lloyd's not the type of guy to yell at someone for doing something wrong; instead, you'll know you need to improve and make fewer mistakes just by Lloyd's demeanor and the disappointment he'd show. If the Mariners collapse in 2015, Lloyd should not be held solely responsible like other managers have been in the past.
I'll give the Mariners a shot in 2015, at least at first. Signing a good free-agent bat (or trading for one) will certainly give me and other Mariners fans reason to believe. Certain young players that obviously won't have much Major League success should be let go, such as Justin Smoak and Jesus Montero. They've had their shot; time to just write off their trades as failures and move on. But in 2015 I am going to be extremely critical of this team and demanding. For too long the Mariners have teased their fans with a winning season and then losing seasons the next few years after. The Mariners haven't put together back-to-back winning seasons since 2002-2003. In fact, the last two times the Mariners had winning seasons (2007 and 2009), the GM screwed up so bad that the following seasons were 100 loss campaigns. Back to back WINNING seasons is what this team, this fanbase, this organization so desperately needs. But what they need even more is a playoff team. Let's put together not just a winning team for 2015, but a playoff- and championship-caliber team! GO Mariners!
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