Friends, it’s nearly time.
Spring training is just around the corner. I mean, pitchers and catchers report exactly one week from today. I’m not sure where the offseason went, but here we are.
Coming off a dreamy 2022 season, the Mariners have made some changes and still could make more before spring is all said and done. Either way, it should be a fun season.
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Last week, we tackled a few items from the team’s pre-spring training event at T-Mobile Park. You can read about that here. But let’s get to the fun stuff, right?
As always, you folks impress me with your questions. We’ll have another round of the mailbag on Thursday.
Let’s get to it!
What’s your over/under on Mariners All-Stars in 2023? — Chris A.
That’s a good question, Chris! As we know, the Mariners will be hosting the All-Star Game in July at T-Mobile Park (which is really cool). While I don’t see Seattle getting eight — no, that’s not a typo — players on the American League team like they did in 2001 (the last time Seattle hosted the midsummer classic), I could see a few players make the cut. Over/under: Let’s go 2 1/2.
Let’s start with the obvious: Julio Rodríguez. I don’t think we need to nitpick that one, right? And how about newcomer Teoscar Hernández? I think he’s set up for a big season. My third pick is a relatively easy one, as well: Luis Castillo. I mean, how good was this guy after the Mariners picked him up last season? I keep thinking about that start against the Yankees shortly after the trade and then that gem he threw against the Blue Jays in the Wild Card Series. Want a sleeper? How about Eugenio Suárez (if you can really call him a sleeper)?
Was the biggest miss of this offseason not beating out the Angels for Hunter Renfroe (since Kolten Wong was also traded by the Brewers). I’d feel so much more comfortable with the lineup with Renfroe in it as opposed to AJ Pollock. — Doug S.
Honestly, I don’t know how much — if any — interest the Mariners had in Renfroe. He doesn’t really fit their dominate-the-zone profile, though he has cut down on his strikeouts from where they were earlier in his career. And that wRC+ of 124 with the Brewers is certainly appealing. His Steamer projections (116 wRC+) certainly would have helped, but the Mariners really feel like Jarred Kelenic will be better in 2023 than he’s been over the course of his first 500 big-league at-bats and didn’t want to block him from regular playing time. We will see how this all plays out. And I think Pollock will be fine in certain pockets (facing left-handed pitchers, for example).
With the Mariners playing all 29 clubs in one season for the first time ever, how will that improve/decrease their record from last season? — Ben K.
Well, for starters, the Mariners won’t play the Astros 150 times a season (or, at least, that’s how it felt). That’s a plus, right? Generally speaking, I think the Mariners will benefit from this format. I see plenty of games against the Reds, Pirates, A’s, Tigers and Nationals on there. These are the games against the bottom-feeders the Mariners need to win if they hope to reach their 90-win mark (if not more) from a year ago. I say that and I’ve noticed that the Mariners finish the season with seven games against the Astros and Rangers (all at home). I can’t say for certain how this is all going to go, but I know it’s going to be nice to see some different teams in 2023.
GO DEEPERMLB's 2023 schedule changes: Everything you need to know and what it means for your teamIf they all put up normal/reasonable spring numbers, which of these players will not make the opening-day roster: Taylor Trammell, Tommy La Stella, Sam Haggerty, Cade Marlowe? — Nate S.
Let’s work backward here, Nate. I think La Stella is on the team and will see time backing up Ty France at first base and Eugenio Suárez at third base. Haggerty is a good fit because he offers a speed component and pegs best as an extra outfielder. So if you go with Julio, Hernández, Kelenic, Pollock and Haggerty in the outfield, there’s no room (or at-bats) for Trammell or Marlowe. Of course, things can change between now and opening day, but it stands to reason that La Stella and Haggerty — of the players you mentioned — have the best chance to make the team’s 26-man opening-day roster.
Marlowe almost made the Mariners’ wild-card roster. He’s in for a similar battle this spring for an opening-day slot. (Courtesy of the Everett Aqua Sox)
What is your go-to order when you and Ryan Divish hit In-N-Out on Bell when you first make it to Peoria? Thanks, I’m hungry. — KC M.
KC, good to hear from you. I’m not a big In-N-Out guy, to be honest. And I know Ryan likes to have his first meal of spring there, but I can’t say he goes there much more than that. We’ve become fans of a couple of sandwich places in the area — McAlister’s and Heidi’s Brooklyn Deli. Heidi’s on Thunderbird has a great sandwich, and Ryan makes fun of me for getting it every time — cajun turkey with pepper jack cheese and avocado on sourdough. Oh, and they have Diet Mountain Dew on tap. Good times!
What’s the recent news? — Sid C.
News? Well, I had an eye appointment Tuesday and am debating whether to take my golf clubs to Arizona. I need to get one headlight replaced in our Honda Odyssey before hopping on a flight next week. That’s really about it, Sid. As for the Mariners, well, it’s status quo. I assume the Dylan Moore deal will become official sometime this week. There’s always a chance they tinker with the roster in spring training, but I think what you see is what you’re going to get until … Dipoto makes a trade in March.
Do you think MLB eliminating the shift makes infield coach Perry Hill more of an asset to the Mariners? — David S.
Not really, because the shift is all about positioning and what Perry teaches is defensive fundamentals. I think he’s a big asset regardless of where these players play. Look at what he’s done with J.P. Crawford, France and Evan White and even Suárez last season. I expect we’ll see Perry doing early work in the mornings in Peoria with newcomers Wong, La Stella and others. Perry will turn 71 in March but you wouldn’t know it by his energy and enthusiasm.
Jerry Dipoto has talked a lot about how 2020 stalled the development of hitters, yet pitching has seemed largely unbothered by the reduced reps and lack of a true minor-league season. Does that dichotomy exist league wide, or is a Mariners’ thing? — Jeremiah N.
I’ve wondered about this as well, and wrote about it last season. I think it’s important to note that it probably hurt some players more than others, but there are cases to be found across the landscape of baseball. I do think it hurt position players more because of the missed plate appearances and game situations more than pitchers. Here’s what Dipoto told me last year: “I am convinced that’s what we’re watching. You are seeing guys that, through no fault of their own, missed out on 500, 600 plate appearances and maybe more, and their development was accelerated.” I think guys like Kelenic and Cal Raleigh were hurt by this. But then there’s guys like Julio who didn’t miss a beat. But he’s a different dude, as I think we can all agree. Again, I think that it comes down to the individual.
Will Casey Sadler be ready to contribute by opening day? — Mark F.
He will be, as Dipoto confirmed last week. He’ll be on a minor-league contract with an invite to big-league camp. And, despite the bullpen having lots of depth, he certainly stands a good chance of cracking it if he returns to the form we saw in 2021 before he needed shoulder surgery last spring — a surgery that wiped out his season.
I’m in the “still not ready to give up on Kelenic yet” camp but I’m also aware that this might be his last chance to at least put up replacement level numbers. If he’s still struggling in May, is that it? Does he still have minor-league options? I kind of lost count. If not, will Dipoto cut his losses and go get whatever he can for him? — Christian V.
Kelenic does still have a minor-league option, for what it’s worth. I assume, with the current construction of the roster, that he’s going to get every chance to win that left field job and play against right-handed pitchers. I’ve said this before, but I have the same view of Kelenic as you do. I think that it’s still too early to give up on him, but that it’s time for him to show more in the big leagues. Like another left-handed batter, Raleigh, I think Kelenic will benefit from the elimination of the shift (as will many other left-handed batters with a pull-side profile). I don’t know if May is a date I would circle on the calendar, Christian, but I think we’ll soon find out what kind of player the Mariners truly have in Kelenic.
Will we see Emerson Hancock in the big leagues this season? — Tyler B.
It’s hard to see it with the way the Mariners’ rotation sets up with six capable starting pitchers. Now, of course, as I say this, the club will trade someone in spring training or shortly after this mailbag goes live! Hancock will be 24 in May and it’s probably time for him to make a move. He was overshadowed in Double A by Taylor Dollard last season and the fast-rising Bryce Miller isn’t far off from the big leagues.
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I can’t sit here now and tell you what Hancock is going to become. His slider still needs work, but his changeup is good and the fastball has some juice to it and has very good movement, especially below the belt. The work ethic is really good, I’ve been told. We’ll see what 2023 looks like for him.
I know how reluctant you are to guess at Chris Flexen’s future, but, come on, do it anyway! — James T.
I realize I’ve traded Flexen seven or eight times by now, only to have none of them come to fruition. As I always say: Nothing personal, Chris. But I’m going to go on record one last time and say he gets moved this spring. I think there will be at least one team looking for a starter this spring — maybe someone gets hurt and a team needs a replacement for the rotation. I know it’s foolish to assume the Mariners can have the good fortune they had a year ago in terms of health in the rotation and that depth is important. To that end, what the heck, maybe they keep him!
(Top photo of Castillo: Brad Penner / USA Today)
FAQs
How many All Stars do the Mariners have? ›
...
Mariners All-Stars.
| Player | Position | Year(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Hisashi Iwakuma | RHP | 2013 |
| Randy Johnson | LHP | 1990, '93, '94, '95, '97 |
| Ruppert Jones | OF | 1977 |
| Yusei Kikuchi | LHP | 2021 |
Kirby to start Mariners' 1st home playoff game since '01
HOUSTON -- The Mariners will ride their star rookie pitcher into their first home playoff game in 21 years, as George Kirby is set to start for Seattle in Saturday's Game 3 of the AL Division Series.
Update — The Mariners have announced Gilbert as the starter for Game 1, as expected.
Who is the DH for Mariners? ›As it stands right now, left fielder Jesse Winker should be the favorite to open the season as the club's primary DH. The Mariners have a handful of outfielders on their active roster. Winker was the worst defensive outfielder among the group in 2022, posting -16 Defensive Runs Saved.
How many Mariners are in the All-Star Game 2022? ›The Seattle Mariners have just one player on the initial 2022 American League All-Star roster, but that one player should get plenty of attention during the MLB All-Star Game festivities at Dodger Stadium.
Are there any Mariners in the 2022 All-Star Game? ›Mariners' rookie Julio Rodríguez is heading to the 2022 MLB All-Star Game. SEATTLE - Seattle Mariner's outfielder Julio Rodríguez is making a big name for himself in Major League Baseball. On Sunday, the rookie was selected to play for the American League in the 2022 MLB All-Star Game.
Can Mariners make playoffs? ›Thanks to a 2-1 win over the Oakland Athletics on Friday, the Mariners have clinched a spot in the 2022 MLB playoffs, ending a postseason drought going back 21 years. That span of time had been the longest active postseason drought in major North American sports.
What are the chances of the Mariners making the playoffs? ›| Games back | Chance to make playoffs | |
|---|---|---|
| Astros106-56 | — | ✓ |
| Mariners90-72 | 16.0 | ✓ |
| Angels73-89 | 33.0 | — |
| Rangers68-94 | 38.0 | — |
The Mariners still sit at a 99.4% chance to make the playoffs, though now in the third wild card.
Who is the most popular Mariners player? ›1. Ken Griffey Jr. (1989-1999; 2009-2010) The Mariners selected Griffey Jr.
Who is best Mariners player? ›
Top 10 Mariners Players Right Now: #1 Robbie Ray
Looking at the current Mariners roster, it is very easy to see that Ray is the best player currently.
If a pinch hitter bats for, or a pinch runner runs for, the DH, that pinch-hitter or pinch-runner becomes the DH. The designated hitter can be moved to a fielding position during the game.
Can a DH hit anywhere in the lineup? ›Pitching is such a specialized position that their offensive numbers are not very good. Additionally, it allows you to improve your lineup by batting the designated hitter in any spot of the lineup as long as you indicate that before the game on the lineup card.
Can a team lose the DH? ›The DH is optional. A team may decide to bat its pitcher and not use a designated hitter in a game where it would normally be used.
Did any Mariners make the All-Star team? ›He is third Mariners player age 21 or younger to be named to the All-Star team, the other two were Ken Griffey Jr. and Alex Rodriguez, who were named All-Stars at age 20 and 21.
Did any Mariners make all-stars? ›Rodriguez is the Mariners' first rookie All-Star since Ichiro Suzuki, whose appearance in the 2001 game at still-new Safeco Field represented a franchise apex of sorts. Suzuki was one of eight Mariners All-Stars in Seattle, representing a team that would win a record-tying 116 games.
What team has the most All-Stars 2022? ›Four teams lead way in 2022 ASG team-by-team breakdown
The MLB-best Yankees headline this year's class with six representatives before replacements, and the defending World Series champion Braves and host Dodgers have the most All-Stars of all NL teams with six each.
SEATTLE, Wash.
— Seattle Mariners outfielder Julio Rodríguez has been selected to play for the American League in the 92nd Major League Baseball All-Star Game presented by Mastercard on Tuesday, July 19 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California. Major League Baseball made the announcement today.
From the 2003 season up to the present, the league that won the All-Star Game was to be given home-field advantage for the World Series (something Selig is considering ending, as the AL is unbeaten in every All-Star Game since 1997).
Who made the MLB All Star Team 2022? ›...
American League.
| Player | Team | All-Star Games |
|---|---|---|
| Gregory Soto | Tigers | 2 |
| Framber Valdez | Astros | 1 |
| Justin Verlander# | Astros | 9 |
What is the Mariners wild-card magic number? ›
The magic number for the Mariners is 10. Every time the Mariners win, that number decreases. Every time the Orioles lose that number decreases.
How many games do the Mariners need to win to clinch? ›To clinch on Saturday:
Five Mariners wins in five days, and one Baltimore loss in five days.
Before the end of the season, the Mariners need to either win one game or the Baltimore Orioles need to lose one game. If this happens, the Mariners would clinch their first postseason berth since 2001.
What do the Mariners need to do to make the playoffs? ›But, entering Thursday's games, any combination of Mariners wins and Orioles losses adding up to three will secure Seattle's first trip to the postseason in more than two decades.
Can the Mariners make the World Series? ›...
| Seattle Mariners | |
|---|---|
| Manager | Scott Servais |
...
World Series Odds 2023.
| TEAM | OPENING ODDS | CURRENT ODDS |
|---|---|---|
| Mariners | +1800 | +1600 |
| White Sox | +1400 | +2500 |
| Guardians | +3500 | +2500 |
| Cardinals | +1700 | +2500 |
The Mariners are guaranteed a spot in the Wild Card round, but the team's final five games will determine who and where they will play that series.
Will the Seattle Mariners make the playoffs in 2022? ›Mariners lose American League Division Series 2022.
Will the Mariners make the playoffs in 2022? ›The Seattle Mariners and Toronto Blue Jays began their 2022 MLB playoffs on Friday afternoon. The American League foes square off in Game 1 of a best-of-three Wild Card Series in Canada. Seattle is the No. 5 seed after a 90-win season that broke the team's two-decade postseason drought.
Who are the Mariners biggest rival? ›The Mariners lag behind the Astros, of course, because most of baseball does, but there are a few key components that cement the rivalry, such as it is.
Who is the best pitcher on the Mariners? ›
- Joel Pineiro. 8 of 15.
- Mike Moore. 7 of 15. ...
- Erik Hanson. 6 of 15. ...
- John Halama. 5 of 15. ...
- Bill Swift. 4 of 15. ...
- Aaron Sele. 3 of 15. ...
- Cliff Lee. 2 of 15. ...
- Jeff Fassero. 1 of 15. ...
In September of 2012 the Mariners and the Orioles went 18 innings with the M's falling 4-2. Mike Zunino and Kyle Seager may have each gone 0 for 7 in Friday night's 16 inning contest but Jesus Montero went 0 for 8 in this contest. Either way the M's lost.
Who is the greatest MLB player of all time? ›- Stan Musial. ...
- Ty Cobb. ...
- Walter Johnson. ...
- Hank Aaron. ...
- Ted Williams. Ted Williams has long been called “the greatest pure hitter who ever lived.” His . ...
- Barry Bonds. Barry Bonds Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images. ...
- Willie Mays. UPI/Bettmann Archive. ...
- Babe Ruth. Babe Ruth UPI/Bettmann Archive.
In 1986, Mattingly struck out 35 times and walked 53 times. Boggs struck out 44 times and drew 105 walks. Mattingly had more power, hitting 53 doubles, a pair of triples and 31 home runs to Boggs' 47 doubles, two triples and eight home runs. The superstars preferred to downplay the rivalry.
Who is the best 2025 baseball player? ›Julio Rodríguez selected to 2022 MLB All-Star Game.
Who has most wins in Mariners history? ›As of November 2022, Felix Hernandez tops the ranking of the Seattle Mariners all-time wins leaders having won a total of 169 games throughout his career. Hernandez is followed within this ranking by Jamie Moyer with a total of 145 games won.
What are the best seats at Mariners stadium? ›The best seats for a Seattle Mariners game at T-Mobile Park are located in the Diamond Club, or Field Box VIP seats. If those tickets are a bit out of your price range, the upper-level tickets in the infield, sections 320-340, are a great value.
Can you pinch hot for a DH? ›*The game pitcher can pinch hit or pinch run for the DH and only the DH, but doing so terminates the DH.
Can you pinch hit a DH? ›A designated hitter is a player who hits, but does not play in the field. A pinch-hitter is someone who could hit for one at bat or stay in the lineup for the rest of the game. You can pinch-hit for a designated hitter. If you do, that substitute will become the DH.
Can you have a DH and EH at the same time? ›
Extra hitter (EH)
Instead of just adding a player to bat for a defensive player (ten players, but only nine batters), the EH adds a tenth batter to the batting order. If a team is playing with both the DH and the EH (this is not uncommon), then you have eleven players in the lineup, ten of whom bat.
No, the designated hitter position cannot be part of a double switch. The DH position is locked into the batting order when the manager submits the lineup card for the game.
Can a pinch hitter bat twice? ›If a player acts as a pinch hitter and his team bats around in the inning, he may come to the plate a second time. The second (and subsequent) times he bats in the inning are not considered pinch-hitting appearances.
Has a DH ever won MVP? ›The Answer: No player in Major League Baseball history has won the Most Valuable Player Award during a season in which their primary position was designated hitter. The designated hitter is a player used in the batting lineup in place of the pitcher.
Has a DH ever won a batting title? ›#1: Edgar Martinez
Martinez won the batting title in 1995 as a DH, hitting . 356, and belted more than 25 home runs in five seasons. His career numbers of . 312 batting average, 309 home runs, 1,261 RBI and .
Under a new rule nicknamed the “Shohei Ohtani Rule,” starting pitchers can remain in games as designated hitters after their team goes to the bullpen.
Can a DH enter the game as a fielder? ›Player may be listed as both the fielder and the DH. Player may be substituted for defensively and still be the DH. Once the DH is substituted for on offense, the role of DH is extinguished for the game and only one player may occupy that spot in the batting order.
Did any Mariners make all stars? ›Rodriguez is the Mariners' first rookie All-Star since Ichiro Suzuki, whose appearance in the 2001 game at still-new Safeco Field represented a franchise apex of sorts. Suzuki was one of eight Mariners All-Stars in Seattle, representing a team that would win a record-tying 116 games.
What Mariners made the All-Star team? ›At age 21, Rodríguez joins Alex Rodriguez (2x, 1996 & '97) and Ken Griffey Jr. (2x, 1990 & '91) as the only Mariners players to be selected as an All-Star in their age 21 season or younger. Julio is the youngest player to be named an all-star in MLB since Ronald Acuña Jr. -ATL and Mike Soroka-ATL in 2019.
Has any team had 4 all stars? ›The 2014-15 Atlanta Hawks are one of only 8 teams in NBA history to have 4 players selected as All Stars in the same season.
Which MLB team has the most all stars? ›
Four teams lead way in 2022 ASG team-by-team breakdown
The MLB-best Yankees headline this year's class with six representatives before replacements, and the defending World Series champion Braves and host Dodgers have the most All-Stars of all NL teams with six each.
Dwight Gooden
When he made his first appearance in 1984, Gooden was the youngest player ever to make an All-Star roster.
Julio Rodríguez selected to 2022 MLB All-Star Game.
Did any MLB team not have an All-Star? ›As of 2022, one Major League Baseball franchise has never hosted an All-Star Game: the Tampa Bay Rays.
Who decides the All-Star captains? ›The process starts with the captains, who are determined by the All-Star voting results. The leader for each conference gets to select his squad and have the team named after him (ex. Team LeBron vs. Team Durant).
Has there ever been a 5 All-Star team? ›The Warriors became the first franchise in 42 years to be able to start five All-Stars (as they had all been the previous year), one in each floor position. The Warriors reclaimed the 1st seed in the Western Conference with a 57-25 record and made it to their 5th straight NBA Finals.
How many players from each conference make the All-Star team? ›The starting lineup for each squad is selected by a combination of fan, player, and media voting, while head coaches choose the reserves, seven players from their respective conferences, so each side has a 12-man roster.
Is there a Triple A All-Star Game? ›...
| Triple-A All-Star Game | |
|---|---|
| Most recent | July 10, 2019 (Southwest University Park, El Paso, Texas, United States) |
| Participants | Triple-A minor league baseball players |
"Speaking of playing all nine positions, A's owner Charlie Finley had the same idea for Campaneris in 1965. On September 8, the publicity-loving Finley made sure Campaneris played every position. 'That game is one of the first that stands out from my career,' said Campaneris.
What MLB team has the most All Stars 2022? ›This year, the Astros led the way with six All-MLB selections, including four players on the First Team. The Dodgers paced all NL clubs with five All-MLB nods.
What was the best MLB All-Star Game ever? ›
- 1994 -- NL 8, AL 7 (10 innings) ...
- 2008 -- AL 4, NL 3 (15 innings) ...
- 1970 -- NL 5, AL 4 (12 innings) ...
- 2003 -- AL 7, NL 6. ...
- 1961 (first game) -- NL 5, AL 4 (10 innings) ...
- 1955 -- NL 6, AL 5 (12 innings) ...
- 1950 -- NL 4, AL 3 (14 innings)