Five Biggest Needs for the Mariners for 2024

 The Mariners finished 2023 88-74, missing the playoffs by 1 game and the division by 2 games.  They failed to follow up their magical 2022 season with a successful step forward.  At best, they took a step sideways.  General Manager Justin Hollander has even admitted their moves this past off-season were not adequate enough.  They acquired Teoscar Hernandez and Kolten Wong in trades, and signed AJ Pollock, Tommy LaStella, and Cooper Hummel.  Only one of those players, Hernandez, was on the big league team at season's end.  It's safe to say they need to do better this off-season.  So I have compiled the five biggest needs for this team, and some possible names who could fill that role.  Ranked, in order from least to most important, here are the five biggest needs this Mariners team needs to address this off-season:

5) Rotation depth
Possible candidates: Vince Velasquez, Jordan Montgomery
It'll be hard to say how the back end of the rotation will look come 2024, but I think one thing the Mariners need is depth at the rotation.  Someone who would potentially be okay signing a minor league deal with an option to make the big league club.  I wouldn't be opposed to either Woo or Miller starting 2024 in the minors, especially if they have a rocky spring.  But one thing that hurt the Mariners this past season was the lack of rotation depth.  They need to sign someone to bolster the rotation.  
Result: No one?  I can't think of anyone the Mariners acquired for rotation depth.  They briefly had Anthony DeSclafani before shipping him out for Jorge Polanco.  Grade: INC.

4) Right-handed/switch-hitting outfielder with range, contact
Possible candidates: Harrison Bader, Jurickson Profar
We absolutely should not be starting Dylan Moore or Sam Haggerty in the outfield while on a playoff run again.  They are bench guys.  Jerry and Justin tried to address this with Pollock and LaStella last off-season but to no avail.  I like Bader, and while he struggled in Cincy, I love his effort on defense.  And Profar is a switch-hitter, but hits better historically right-handed, and he would add even more culture to our locker room, being from Curacao.  
Result: We got Mitch back... yay?  I like Mitch, I just hope he can stay healthy.  But he does not have much range or contact.  We also got Luke Raley, but he's a lefty and he too does not have much range.  Grade: D

3) Infielder that can hit
Possible candidates: Rhys Hoskins, Amed Rosario
Our infield just seemed to be filled with black holes this year, not counting JP.  But it seemed someone was always struggling, whether it was Ty, Geno, or whoever was at second base.  Rhys Hoskins was out all of 2023, but if we shipped Ty for a prospect or in a package, I'd love to have Hoskins instead.  And Rosario still can hit around .250 with solid D.  Our infield just needs to improve.  We still haven't found our answer at second base since trading Cano.
Result: We got Jorge Polanco, and if you want to count him, Mitch Garver, but he's counted more for #1 (see below).  We also got the aforementioned Luke Raley.  Our infield should hit better next season.  But we did have to give up a lot to get Polanco.  Grade: B-

2) Veteran closer/bullpen help
Possible candidates: Will Smith, Craig Kimbrel, Ryne Stanek
With the trade of Sewald and the loss of Penn Murfee to the Mets, our bullpen is in need of help.  Brash was overworked, guys like Topa, Campbell, and Thornton were used in higher-leverage situations than they should be, and it showed.  I would love it if we could bring in a veteran guy to add a presence and help mentor some younger guys.  
Result: We got Gregory Santos, he'd be the closest thing to a "veteran" guy that we acquired.  Hopefully he'll fit right in, but he might take a while to do so since he came to us hurt.  Lovely.  Update: We also signed Ryne Stanek late, a guy who I really like, so I'll raise this a tad.  Grade: B+

1) Full-time legit Designated Hitter
Possible candidates: Shohei Ohtani, Jorge Soler, JD Martinez
The last good full-time DH the Mariners had was Nelson Cruz, in 2018.  Before that, it was Edgar.  This team absolutely should not go into the season with guys like LaStella, Hummel, or Haggerty DH'ing.  Obviously, Shohei would be the ideal choice, with him joining the rotation in 2025 due to injury.  Soler would be a nice substitute if his player option falls through.  And I wanted us to acquire JD Martinez last off-season, but of course, he goes to LA.  I doubt he'd come here, but you never know.  We just need SOMEONE at DH we can count on, someone we can put at 3 or 4 in the order and never have to worry about.  
Result: We got Mitch Garver, our one lone significant free agent signing.  Would it be too much to ask for another Nelson Cruz type hitter?  I guess so.  We'll have to see what Mitch does.  I'm more excited for his bat than Polanco's or Raley's, for what it's worth.  Grade: B

Well, that is my list of the top 5 needs the Mariners have this coming off-season.  Let's hope they address most, if not all, of these.  I feel like if they address most of these adequately, a return to the playoffs in 2024 will be in the cards.  I'm going to come back, perhaps around spring training time, and comment on what they did to address these needs, and if it was good enough.  

Seahawks Needs at Each Position for the Draft

With the draft just a few days away, I thought it'd be fun to look at each position for the Hawks and pick a player who might fit in well, if needed.  This'll be fun to look back on to see if I get any right and see how well I do in picking which positions are picked.  The Hawks have 11 picks, so it'll be interesting to see how they use them.  Here's what I predict:

Post Draft Review in RED.  
Seahawks traded a few picks away, ended up with 8 picks instead of 11.  Oh well.

Quarterback: Not a huge area of concern, but T-Jack's return being in question might make the Seahawks want to take a QB in the late rounds, if need be.  They already have BJ Daniels, so perhaps they won't use a draft pick in just bring in someone as an undrafted free agent.
Will they draft for this position: No
If they were to, who would they pick: Sean Mannion, Oregon State  (Big guy with big arm would be an interesting complement to RW.  )

Mannion went to the Rams... might end up seeing him against the Hawks.  But I was right in predicting the Hawks would NOT take a QB.  

Running Back/Full Back: Again, not a huge area of concern, but depth COULD be added.  Full back is set with both Coleman AND Tukuafu.  Lynch will be back as well, and Turbin and Michael remain his understudies.  I don't see a big risk on a running back, yet.
Will they draft for this position: No
If they were to, who would they pick: Michael Dyer, Louisville (Off the field issues but a tank on the field)

Again correct in saying no one was taken for this position.  Michael Dyer went undrafted, so he might be brought in to camp to compete for a backup RB spot.

Wide Receiver: The Hawks focused heavily on this position in last year's draft, but that doesn't mean they won't try to find a stud in this one.  I think they'll pick one to add to the competition.
Will they draft for this position: Yes
If they were to, who would they pick: Vince Mayle, WSU (Going with local kid, 6'2 so decent size)

Correct in saying the Hawks would take one, wrong choice though.  Tyler Lockett was the choice.  Vince Mayle went to the Browns.  

Tight End: This position was fortified with Jimmy Graham.  Also remains Luke Willson, Cooper Helfet, and Anthony McCoy.  Don't see a draft pick here.
Will they draft for this position: No
If they were to, who would they pick: Randall Telfer, USC (Team needs a blocking tight end, and picking one from Pete's alma matter would be appropriate)

Again correct in saying there wouldn't be a pick.  Telfer went to the Browns, so unless he's cut he won't be a Hawk.

Tackle: Hawks need more help on interior of line than outside, but could use someone to give Justin Britt competition.  Also wouldn't hurt to have depth in case Russell "Glass Ankles" Okung gets hurt.
Will they draft for this position: Yes
If they were to, who would they pick: Ali Marpet, Hobart (Can play center, and has good speed for an OL)

Again correct in that they'd pick one tackle, but it was Terry Poole.  Marpet went to the Bucs.

Guard/Center: I group these together because a player can go back and forth between them.  This is one of the biggest needs, if not the biggest need, for the Seahawks.  Don't be surprised if two interior linemen are drafted.
Will they draft for this position: Yes, two players
If they were to, who would they pick: Arie Kouandijo, Alabama and Andy Gallik, Boston College (Kouandijo is a future pro bowler IMO and Gallik is small but is gritty, smart, and well-developed.)

Technically the Hawks took two interior linemen.  Glowinski will definitely play guard or center and they drafted Kristjan Sokoli, who played DT in college but the Hawks say will play guard.  Well, it worked with J.R. Sweezy, so they think it'll work again.  

Defensive Tackle: This position is currently held by Mebane and Williams, both can be injury prone and are aging.  Their successors are needed, and I'd be shocked if the Hawks didn't draft somebody.
Will they draft for this position: Yes
If they were to, who would they pick: Michael Bennett, Ohio State (Imagine if we had two guys named Michael Bennett on the defensive line, how confusing that'd be.  Someone would have to go by Mike Bennett.)

Again, technically correct.  Sokoli was a DT that they drafted, but probably won't play there.  Bennett went to the Jags, unfortunately.

Defensive End: The Hawks have Bennett and Avril, but both are nearing the end of their primes.  Marsh should be in the mix as well, but some depth will probably be added. 
Will they draft for this position: Yes
If they were to, who would they pick: Tavaris Barnes (Seattle had him for a workout and he's a rotational defensive end so he'd fit in VERY well here.)

The Hawks actually drafted TWO D-linemen, but Barnes was neither of them.  The picks were Frank Clark and Obum Gwacham.  The Hawks are now stacked there with depth.  Barnes went undrafted and still could be brought in for training camp.  

Linebacker: The Hawks starting trio is set with Wagner, Irvin, and Wright, with Pierre-Louis being a capable backup.  The loss of Malcolm Smith means for sure there will be a linebacker drafted.  I'll go with two, actually.
Will they draft for this position: Yes, two players
If they were to, who would they pick: Hau'Oli Kikaha, Washington, and Lynden Trail, Norfolk State (It'd be nice to get Shaq Thompson, but Kikaha is more likely.  Trail is 6'7" so he'd be nice to have to knock down passes.)

Oops.  Kikaha went to the Saints, Trail went undrafted (but signed with the Texans).  Hawks did not pick a single linebacker, so their depth at that position will be thin, unless Gwacham or Clark moves to OLB.

Safety: The Hawks boast the best pair of safeties in the league, but could use depth with Jeron Johnson gone.  Don't expect a high pick, but expect a pick nonetheless.
Will they draft for this position: Yes
If they were to, who would they pick: Tevin McDonald, Eastern Washington (Gotta pick another local kid.  He could learn LOADS under Kam Chancellor and Earl Thomas.  Well, anyone could.) 

Hawks got a safety, but again didn't pick the right one.  They picked Ryan Murphy from Oregon State.  McDonald went undrafted.

Cornerback: With losing Maxwell, this position will need to be addressed.  Jeremy Lane won't be ready for training camp.  Who is starting outside of Sherman?  Simon?  I'm not too impressed with Simon so far. 
Will they draft for this position: Yes, two players
If they were to, who would they pick: Alex Carter, Stanford, and Senquez Golson, Ole Miss (Imagine having two corners from Stanford starting... and Golson has excellent ball skills, something Pete covets.)

Hawks drafted just one CB (Tye Smith).  I had forgotten about the signing of Cary Williams.  Oops.  Carter went to the Lions and Golson to the (sigh) Steelers.  

Kicker/Punter: This position is set with Hauschka and Ryan.  I don't see the Hawks using a pick on one, unless they can't think of anyone else to draft.
Will they draft for this position: No
If they were to, who would they pick: Darragh O'Neill, Colorado (College teammate of Paul Richardson)

It'd have been a shock, for sure.  O'Neill went undrafted.

So there you have it.  With the Hawks 11 picks, I have them taking a wide receiver, a tackle, two guards/centers, a defensive tackle, a defensive end, two linebackers, a safety, and two cornerbacks.  We'll see how close I get!