With one of the best offenses in baseball, the Seattle Mariners look posed to finally return to the postseason for the first time since 2001. Missing a few pitching pieces, the Mariners are looking to fill the voids.
The Seattle Mariners actually have one of the best offenses statistically heading into 2017. The 2016 Mariners ranked 10th in MLB in total offensive WAR. If you take into account their current roster, after acquiring the likes of Jean Segura, Danny Valencia and Carlos Ruiz, the Mariners would rank third in total offensive WAR. The two teams ahead of them, the Cubs and Red Sox, are World Series favorites. Therefore, this shows that if the Mariners can manage to put together a solid pitching rotation around Felix Hernandez they can not only make the postseason but contend for the World Series.
I know it sounds crazy hearing the Mariners be considered as World Series caliber, but the talent is there. Kyle Seager is perhaps the most underrated guy in baseball, and he joins Robinson Cano and King Felix as franchise cornerstones. Sure, they could improve the outfield, but with such little pitching depth the rotation should be their focus. They especially must act now considering the Rangers and Astros are formidable opponents in the AL West and the latter seems to be getting better and better.
So heading into 2017 the question surrounding the Mariners will be if they can build that rotation around Hernandez. If the Seattle front office can manage to make the right choices they will almost undoubtedly make a run for the postseason. With options on the table, there will be no excuses for why the Mariners cannot improve. With that being said, let’s look at the best pitching options for the Seattle Mariners for the 2017 season.