The Seattle Mariners made the biggest free agent splash in the 2013 off-season, going out and signing perennial MVP candidate Robinson Cano to a mammoth 10 year, $240 million contract. The message they sent out was clear: the M's wanted to compete this year. So far this season, they have been something of a pleasant surprise, but forced to compete in what is likely the toughest division in baseball they have very little to show for it with one month left in the regular season. Their 73-63 record is good for just third in the AL West, and as things stand they are 1.5 games adrift in the wildcard race. The 5.5 game deficit to the Oakland A's is probably unbridgeable (admittedly stranger things have happened), but the Tigers and Royals are both within striking distance. The Yankees and Indians will both attempt to disrupt the M's hope of a wildcard spot, but with King Felix putting up a Cy Young calibre season and the line-up finally starting to click, the Mariners are in with a fighting chance for their first post-season berth since winning 116 games in 2001.
Major Potential Free Agents
Corey Hart, 1B
Kendrys Morales, 1B/DH
Chris Denorfia, OF
Hisashi Iwakuma, SP ($7m option)
Chris Young, SP
The Mariners don't see any huge departures from the club this winter, although they also won't get much in the way of salary relief. Corey Hart and Kendrys Morales are two of a plethora of first base/designated hitter types on the Mariners roster, and their departure will free up more playing time for the likes of Logan Morrison and Justin Smoak. Chris Denorfia was a mid-season acquisition who can hit lefties but not much else, whilst Chris Young has defied all the odds to give the M's 151 innings of strong pitching. Hisashi Iwakuma has pitched like an ace with the Mariners, so they will presumably exercise the option and keep him on board for another season, or perhaps sign an extension in the off-season.
Off-Season Plan
Hitting: The Mariners are sorted at three of the five positions on the diamond, with Zunino embedded behind the plate, Seager improving every season at the hot corner and Cano providing some pop at second base. At shortstop, the M's have been indecisive in previous seasons, trialling top prospect Nick Franklin but quickly moving on to Brad Miller when Franklin struggled. This season, Miller has been awful and Franklin traded, but in Chris Taylor the M's think they've found a possible answer. Taylor has hit well since joining the big league club, and though his defense is somewhat suspect, it's safe to presume he'll at least be starting there on opening day 2015 unless the M's go for broke and sign someone like Hanley Ramirez. The outfield has been strengthened this season by the acquisition of Austin Jackson. Jackson will be arbitration eligible this off-season, before becoming a free agent for 2016, so the M's may look to wrap him up to a long term deal. Dustin Ackley has finally found a home in left field and has begun to hit like he was expected to. The M's could do with another outfielder/designated hitter type, so someone like Nelson Cruz could be an attractive option for a line-up lacking in right-handed power, or Josh Willingham/Jonny Gomes if they wish to pursue a cheaper option.
Pitching: Felix Hernandez's massive contract that sees him locked up as an M until 2020 still looks pricey, but with King Felix asserting himself as the AL's best starter, it's not hard to see why he earned such a big payday. Iwakuma will be back, at least for 2015, and Roenis Elias has probably shown enough promise to pencil himself in for the starting five. Taijuan Walker and James Paxton are two high-ceiling prospects who have battled injury issues this season but should get a chance in the rotation assuming health. The M's could still use a back-end starter, at least as insurance, and so the likes of Kyle Kendrick, Ryan Vogelsong and Aaron Harang may be good fits for their spacious home ballpark. The bullpen will be led once again by Fernando Rodney, whilst Danny Farquhar and Tom Wilhelmsen will back him up. Charlie Furbush and Lucas Luetge will continue as the main left-handers, so it seems unlikely that the M's will make much of a foray into the free agent relief market.
Trade Possibilities
The M's don't have a particularly stacked minor league system, with their best prospects likely playing roles in the Majors next season. Danny Hultzen will try to make a return from serious shoulder surgery, whilst D.J,. Peterson is an exciting infield prospect, but neither will be able to command much in major league talent. If the M's fail to make the play-offs and decide to go for a mini rebuild, the likes of Iwakuma and Jackson could give them a decent haul of young talent, but with Cano and King Felix likely declining in the coming years their window of opportunity is getting smaller. If they want to bolster the team, then a trade for a starting pitcher is probably the best way to go, and the Reds will likely be looking to deal Latos or Cueto, so if the M's can put together an enticing enough package that could be a possibility. Marlon Byrd could also be a possible trade target to give the M's some right-handed pop, and given the Phillies need to rebuild and Byrd's poor contract they wouldn't have to give up too much in the way of prospects assuming Ruben Amaro Jr actually wants to improve his team. Zduriencik earned himself a large extension this week, but he's going to have to prove why by putting together a winning roster.
Overview
The M's have a good but not great team, and a quick glance at their players, salary and market suggests there aren't many ways for them t change that heading into 2015. There aren't many gaping holes in the roster, but a few shrewd moves in the outfield and pitching staff could put them in better shape if they want to compete with the A's and Angels. There's a lot of pressure on this team to compete now, but being able to do so looks unlikely to me.
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