Seattle Mariners: 2017 Team Preview
Important Additions
Shortstop Jean Segura—The Mariners’ shortstop last year was Ketel Marte, who went from a small-sample size darling in 2015 to a below replacement-level dud in 2016. He was part of the trade to Arizona that brought back Jean Segura. Segura has had an up-and-down career. He was good in 2013 with the Milwaukee Brewers but then really struggled in 2014 and 2015. He bounced back last year to have the best season of his career. According to FanGraphs, Segura was worth 5 wins above replacement (fWAR) in 2016. He can’t be expected to repeat that season, but should be a solid starter for the M’s.
Outfielder Jarrod Dyson—Mariners GM Jerry Dipoto wanted to improve the team’s defense and Dyson is a big part of that plan. He’s a very good fielder and a fast base runner who is capable of stealing 30 or more bases. The drawback is that Dyson is a below-average hitter and has almost no power. Because of his career-long struggles to hit left-handed pitching, he will likely be in a platoon arrangement with a right-handed hitter, with Guillermo Heredia and Shawn O’Malley being two potential options.
Outfielder Mitch Haniger—Haniger was part of the Jean Segura trade and is expected to get the bulk of the playing time in right field. Like Dyson and Leonys Martin, the other two starting outfielders for the Mariners, Haniger is a good fielder, which is important to Dipoto. Haniger is projected to be better with the bat than Dyson. He actually has some power and could be a 15-20 home run guy this year after hitting a combined 30 home runs across three levels of play in 2016.
First Baseman Dan Vogelbach—Vogelbach actually came over in a July trade last year, but he didn’t play much with the Mariners last season. He’s expected to share time at first base this year with another new addition, Danny Valencia. Vogelbach has had some very good years in Triple-A. The Mariners are hoping he proves he can hit major league pitching this year.
Infielder/Outfielder Danny Valencia—The Mariners acquired Valencia in a trade with Oakland last November. He’s here to do one thing: hit left-handed pitching. In his career, he’s been 39% better than league average when facing a lefty but 15% below league average when facing a righty. He can play first base, third base, or the outfield.
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Backup Catcher Carlos Ruiz—The Mariners are hoping Carlos Ruiz won’t be forced to play much. The team wants Mike Zunino to take control of the catcher’s position, with Ruiz spelling him when needed. Ruiz is 38 years old and should be limited to a couple games per week.
Starting Pitcher Drew Smyly—Another off-season acquisition, Smyly is currently expected to be a #4 or #5 starter but has the ability to be better than that. He struggled with a 4.88 ERA last season in large part due to the 32 home runs he allowed in 175 1/3 innings. If he can get his home run problems under control, he can shave a full run off that ERA.
Starting Pitcher Yovani Gallardo—Gallardo was acquired in a trade for Seth Smith with the Baltimore Orioles in January. He’s slated for the back end of the Mariners’ starting rotation and is more of an innings eater than solid starter these days.
Relief Pitcher Dan Altavilla—Altavilla was very good in Double-A last year and even better in a small sample size of 12 1/3 innings with the Mariners at the end of the season. He could pitch himself into an important role as the setup man for closer Edwin Diaz.
Relief Pitcher Marc Rzepczynski—The player with the nickname Scrabble (look at all those letters in his last name) is the leading contender for the top left-handed reliever spot in the Mariners’ bullpen.