The Seattle Mariners are hoping 2016 will bring the success some expected from them in 2015.
This past season, the M's saw their postseason aspirations fade away throughout the course of the summer months, as an inconsistent offense with notable holes failed to provide enough firepower to back Felix Hernandez and the (at times makeshift) starting rotation well enough to rise in the standings.
After GM Jack Zduriencik was dismissed, ex-Los Angeles Angels GM Jerry Dipoto stepped in and is doing his part to restructure the M's roster. With that in mind, here are some things the Mariners need in order to rise in respectability again next year.
Felix and ‘Kuma both staying healthy
Felix Hernandez was his usual stellar self in 2015, though he did take it easy down the stretch to preserve his arm for the future (he tallied just under 202 innings of work on the year). Posting an 18-9 record and 3.53 ERA – his highest ERA in a season since 2007 – provided Seattle with the reliable ace it has come to expect. In 2016, he’ll again have Hisashi Iwakuma behind him in the rotation, though ‘Kuma will be looking to show the club that it was wise to bring him back after he failed his physical with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Several injuries limited Iwakuma to 20 starts in 2015, when he went 9-5 with a 3.54 ERA in just under 130 innings of work.
Nelson Cruz not letting up
Those that scoffed at the M’s giving Nelson Cruz a lucrative, long-term free agent deal prior to 2015 ate their words this past season. He hit .302/.369/.566 with 44 home runs and 93 RBI while playing half his games in the pitcher’s paradise of Safeco Field. Dipoto has essentially crafted a new complement of hitters around Cruz in the lineup, and whether he can repeat his 2015 success will go a long way toward determinig the Mariners’ chances in 2016.
Dipoto’s new additions making a difference
Dipoto has made quite a few personnel changes since taking over for Zduriencik. He’s added pitcher Wade Miley to the rotation, re-signed Iwakuma, acquired first baseman Adam Lind, outfielders Leonys Martin and Nori Aoki as well as utility man Steve Clevenger, and more. Dipoto is clearly trying to put his stamp on his new organization, and how his new-look M’s roster coalesces – or doesn’t – in 2016 will influence their likelihood of making some noise in a very competitive AL West.
A bounce-back year from Cano
Second baseman/superstar Robinson Cano had a strong 2015 – just not by his lofty standards. Despite battling a persistent stomach issue for much of the season, Cano hit .287/.334/.446 with 34 doubles, 21 home runs and 79 RBI in 156 games. That kind of stat line is sufficient for *most* players, but it’s significantly below Cano’s career average of .307/.356/.494. If he’s able to return to the middle of the lineup and put up his ‘usual’ type of numbers for the season, he and Cruz would presumably form a deadly one-two punch around which the M’s offense can produce some serious damage.
Taijuan Walker finally turning the corner
Young fire-baller Taijuan Walker has yet to ‘put it all together’ at the big-league level. Still just 23, Walker exhibited promise at times during the 2015 season, going 11-8 with a 4.56 ERA in 29 starts, while picking up 157 strikeouts in just under 170 innings of work. He’s very much a part of the M’s long-term future (unless he’s traded away, of course), and 2016 would be a great time for him to turn the corner and emerge as that solid middle-of-the-rotation guy he very well could be.
