MLB team reports:
The key questions, top prospects and outlooks for the Seattle Mariners, Colorado Rockies and Chicago White Sox. Pages 14-19.
Five issues facing the Mariners:
How many innings can rotation pitch?
Perhaps it’s a blessing for Mariners fans that they’ll no longer witness the gradual, grim demise of franchise icon Felix Hernandez, who closed out a 15-year run in Seattle with a 15-start, 6.40 ERA campaign. The more pressing question: Now what?
Marco Gonzales was perhaps the Mariners’ most valuable player last year. Yet given the lack of swing-and-miss in his game – just 147 strikeouts – and relatively high WHIP of 1.31, it’s reasonable to question whether the 27-year-old can repeat his effective 2019 campaign.
Yusei Kikuchi got through 32 starts in his first year in the majors, which was probably the best that can be said for a season of adjustments.
The season might ultimately hinge on the performance of a buy-low bounceback and a burgeoning prospect. Kendall Graveman is 18 months removed from Tommy John surgery and should be full go come spring. A return to his leagueaverage performance of 2016-17 would help solidify things. Meanwhile, the club must weigh the veracity of Justin Dunn’s September performance.
Will Kyle Seager get traded?
It seemed unthinkable a couple of years ago, with Seager struggling and some $70 million remaining on his $100 million contract. But Seager finished last season strong, posting a .863 OPS and hitting 17 home runs after the All-Star break.
With plenty of runners-up in the Anthony Rendon sweepstakes and significant uncertainty in Kris Bryant’s situation with the Cubs, Seager presents an intriguing two-year purchase for a contender.
Will Evan White justify faith?
Seattle took the rare leap of guaranteeing $24 million to a player with just 96 games of experience above Class A.
The former University of Kentucky star hit 18 home runs in 92 games at Arkansas last year but possesses good strike-zone control – he has a .361 career
OBP – and is an excellent defender. In the short term, the signing nudges Dan Vogelbach to designated hitter.
What’s Haniger’s future?
Mitch Haniger, a 2018 All-Star, was limited by injury to 63 games in 2019, turned 29 this month yet still holds considerable value either as a building block or a trade chip. His 6.1 WAR ranked ninth among AL position players in 2018. The first half might play out as a key feeling-out period for player and team – to trade, hold or extend.
Do on-field results matter?
GM Jerry Dipoto signaled a step back before the 2019 season by dealing Robinson Cano and Edwin Diaz to the Mets, just a few months after he and manager Scott Servais received contract extensions during a surprise first-half run. The Mariners are 99-128 since the 2018 All-Star break and would seem hard-pressed to finish higher than third in the AL West. Will style points matter in determining how much longer the organization will ride and die with Dipoto and Servais?