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Early Spring Training Prediction Of Seattle Mariners’ 2015 Opening Day Lineup

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Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Early Spring Training Prediction Of Seattle Mariners' 2015 Opening Day Lineup

LloydM — In 2014, the Seattle Mariners were a surprise team under first-year manager Lloyd McClendon, posting a winning record of 87-75. They still, however, fell a hair short of making it to the postseason for the first time since 2001. Heading into 2015, however, it is looking like the Mariners may very well be the team to beat in the AL West. So, without further ado, here is what McClendon's lineup card might look like on Opening Day.

In 2014, the Seattle Mariners were a surprise team under first-year manager Lloyd McClendon, posting a winning record of 87-75. They still, however, fell a hair short of making it to the postseason for the first time since 2001. Heading into 2015, however, it is looking like the Mariners may very well be the team to beat in the AL West. So, without further ado, here is what McClendon's lineup card might look like on Opening Day.

1. Austin Jackson, CF

1. Austin Jackson, CF

AustinJacksonCopy — Acquired last summer as part of the same three-team trade that sent David Price to the Detroit Tigers, Austin Jackson slashed only .229/.267/.260 during his time in a Mariners uniform in 2014. However, given the work he has done over his career, he is still one of the best options to bat leadoff for the M's heading into 2015. If he can get back to being the 5.2 fWAR player he was in 2012, it would be absolutely huge for this team.

Acquired last summer as part of the same three-team trade that sent David Price to the Detroit Tigers, Austin Jackson slashed only .229/.267/.260 during his time in a Mariners uniform in 2014. However, given the work he has done over his career, he is still one of the best options to bat leadoff for the M's heading into 2015. If he can get back to being the 5.2 fWAR player he was in 2012, it would be absolutely huge for this team.

2. Seth Smith, RF

2. Seth Smith, RF

SethSmithCopy — Acquired from the San Diego Padres in exchange for Brandon Maurer this offseason, Seth Smith gives the Mariners a sturdy left-handed bat to place in their outfield. Smith's .358 career OBP against right-handed pitching may also make him a solid candidate to place in the two-hole on most days.

Acquired from the San Diego Padres in exchange for Brandon Maurer this offseason, Seth Smith gives the Mariners a sturdy left-handed bat to place in their outfield. Smith's .358 career OBP against right-handed pitching may also make him a solid candidate to place in the two-hole on most days.

3. Robinson Cano, 2B

3. Robinson Cano, 2B

RobinsonCanoCopy — Signed to a 10-year deal prior to the start of the 2014 season, Cano had a great first season with the Mariners, slashing .314/.382/.454 with 14 homers and 82 RBIs through 157 games. He didn't hit with the type of power that he did for the New York Yankees last season, but he was still a terrific three-hole hitter.

Signed to a 10-year deal prior to the start of the 2014 season, Cano had a great first season with the Mariners, slashing .314/.382/.454 with 14 homers and 82 RBIs through 157 games. He didn't hit with the type of power that he did for the New York Yankees last season, but he was still a terrific three-hole hitter.

4. Nelson Cruz, DH

4. Nelson Cruz, DH

NelsonCruzcopy — Signed to a four-year deal this offseason, Nelson Cruz should provide an enormous boost to the Mariners' lineup. The M's struggled to find consistency from the cleanup spot in 2014, and Cruz's track record shows that he can help with that. The 34-year-old is coming off of one of the best seasons of his career, slashing .271/.333/.525 with an MLB-leading 40 homers and a career-high 108 RBIs.

Signed to a four-year deal this offseason, Nelson Cruz should provide an enormous boost to the Mariners' lineup. The M's struggled to find consistency from the cleanup spot in 2014, and Cruz's track record shows that he can help with that. The 34-year-old is coming off of one of the best seasons of his career, slashing .271/.333/.525 with an MLB-leading 40 homers and a career-high 108 RBIs.

5. Kyle Seager, 3B

5. Kyle Seager, 3B

KyleSeagerCopy — Signed to a monster seven-year extension this offseason, Kyle Seager had his best season in 2014, slashing .268/.334/.454 with 25 home runs and 96 RBIs. Still only 27 years of age, look for Seager to continue doing great things out of the middle of the M's batting order.

Signed to a monster seven-year extension this offseason, Kyle Seager had his best season in 2014, slashing .268/.334/.454 with 25 home runs and 96 RBIs. Still only 27 years of age, look for Seager to continue doing great things out of the middle of the M's batting order.

6. Logan Morrison, 1B

6. Logan Morrison, 1B

LoganMorrisonCopy — Logan Morrison figures to be the Mariners' starting first baseman heading into 2015. Although injuries have been an issue with Morrison, he hit 23 home runs with the then-Florida Marlins back in 2011, which happens to be the only season in which he has played in over 100 games. If he can avoid the DL, he could be a very good six-hole hitter for the M's.

Logan Morrison figures to be the Mariners' starting first baseman heading into 2015. Although injuries have been an issue with Morrison, he hit 23 home runs with the then-Florida Marlins back in 2011, which happens to be the only season in which he has played in over 100 games. If he can avoid the DL, he could be a very good six-hole hitter for the M's.

7. Dustin Ackley, LF

7. Dustin Ackley, LF

DustinAckleyCopy — A former second overall draft pick, Dustin Ackley hasn't quite had the career that some may have been expecting up to this point, but he still gives the M's a fairly solid left-handed stick to throw into the bottom of the batting order. It does, however, seem that Ackley will be sharing some of his time in left field with the right-handed Rickie Weeks this upcoming season.

A former second overall draft pick, Dustin Ackley hasn't quite had the career that some may have been expecting up to this point, but he still gives the M's a fairly solid left-handed stick to throw into the bottom of the batting order. It does, however, seem that Ackley will be sharing some of his time in left field with the right-handed Rickie Weeks this upcoming season.

8. Brad Miller, SS

8. Brad Miller, SS

BradMillerCopy — Although Brad Miller slashed a rather disappointing .221/.288/.365 last season, his minor league track record suggests that he has the potential to be a much better hitter. Although he appears set to face a challenge from Chris Taylor, Miller should still have a pretty good chance to be in the M's starting lineup as their shortstop on Opening Day.

Although Brad Miller slashed a rather disappointing .221/.288/.365 last season, his minor league track record suggests that he has the potential to be a much better hitter. Although he appears set to face a challenge from Chris Taylor, Miller should still have a pretty good chance to be in the M's starting lineup as their shortstop on Opening Day.

9. Mike Zunino, C

9. Mike Zunino, C

MikeZuninoCopy — Although catcher Mike Zunino slashed only .199/.254/.404 last season, he showed impressive power, belting 22 long balls. However, if players such as Ackley and Miller can take their offense up a notch, it seems that the nine-hole would be a logical place to put Zunino on most days.

Although catcher Mike Zunino slashed only .199/.254/.404 last season, he showed impressive power, belting 22 long balls. However, if players such as Ackley and Miller can take their offense up a notch, it seems that the nine-hole would be a logical place to put Zunino on most days.

Felix Hernandez, P

Felix Hernandez, P

FelixHernandezCopy — One of the best pitchers in the game, Mariners ace Felix Hernanez went 15-6 with a 2.14 ERA and a 0.92 WHIP in a 6.2 fWAR campaign in 2014. He will more than likely be making his eighth Opening Day start in 2015.

One of the best pitchers in the game, Mariners ace Felix Hernanez went 15-6 with a 2.14 ERA and a 0.92 WHIP in a 6.2 fWAR campaign in 2014. He will more than likely be making his eighth Opening Day start in 2015.

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Brad Faber is a writer for RantSports. Like him on Facebook.

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