Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
The Seattle Mariners have been one of the busier teams this offseason, with new GM Jerry Dipoto wasting no time reshaping the roster to his liking. There is reason to be excited as a Mariners fan when comparing this year’s potential starting lineup to a year ago, which had the media convinced they were a lock for the playoffs. When looking at the Mariners’ 2015 Opening Day lineup, it’s actually a bit surprising the expectations that were there:
1. Austin Jackson, CF
2. Seth Smith, RF
3. Robinson Cano, 2B
4. Nelson Cruz, DH
5. Kyle Seager, 3B
6. Logan Morrison, 1B
7. Mike Zunino, C
8. Dustin Ackley, LF
9. Brad Miller, SS
The core of the Mariners’ lineup is still intact for the 2016. The losses from the lineup tend to be more of the backup or utility type players rather than everyday starters. Zunino will start the season in Triple-A and probably deserves to be there for the entire season. While acting as the Mariners’ starting catcher the last two seasons, he hasn’t hit over the Mendoza Line. Ackley and Morrison are bound for backup roles on their new teams, with Morrison penciled in as the Tampa Bay Rays‘ DH for the time being. Jackson is easily the best piece that will not be a part of the Mariners this year, but when looking at the projected lineup for the upcoming season he is easily forgotten:
1. Nori Aoki, LF
2. Kyle Seager, 3B
3. Robinson Cano, 3B
4. Nelson Cruz, DH
5. Adam Lind, 1B
6. Seth Smith, RF
7. Chris Iannetta, C
8. Leonys Martin, CF
9. Ketel Marte, SS
New additions Aoki and Lind are everyday starters, with no question as to Aoki starting every day. There has been talk that Jesus Montero’s chance to contribute this season is most likely filling in against left-handers for Lind, but Lind will get his opportunities against lefties as well. The addition of Lind gives new manager Scott Servais options as to how he wants to construct the lineup on a daily basis.
The ability to move Seager into the No. 2 spot and sliding back Smith to the No. 6 spot should not be taken lightly. It could be the biggest improvement to the lineup, increasing depth immensely. Martin is a drop-off from Jackson at this point, but Martin’s potential makes him the biggest wildcard of the team. He could easily become the CF of the future for the Mariners, but he could also continue to regress, opening up the spot for Boog Powell.
Iannetta is the obvious improvement in the lineup. Although his numbers last season weren’t that much better than Zunino, his experience behind the plate is invaluable. Some have Marte penciled in as high as the No. 2 hole, so having a player of the potential in the No. 9 spot extends the lineup more than the Mariners could have imagined.
With all of the one-year contracts given out this season, Smith in the final year of his contract and the many comeback candidates in the lineup, the turnover could be just as big in 2017 as it is this season. Dipoto has come in and done what he has said he was going to do all along though, building around the core by getting guys who get on base. When comparing the 2015 and 2016 lineups, Dipoto’s plan is finally coming into focus and making complete sense. Now the lineup just has to perform up to expectations, which the 2015 version can tell you is easier said than done.
