Seattle Mariners Season In Review: 2B, SS, 3B

The 2014 season is over for the Seattle Mariners. But unlike previous seasons, the Mariners were in until the 5th inning of their final game of the season.

When the Oakland Athletics beat the Texas Rangers this past Sunday, they clinched the second American League wild-card spot and finally eliminated the Mariners.

So, who saw that coming?

Over the next week, we’ll take a look back at the production of the team and try to put it in perspective for you. We’ll start, with the 2B, SS and 3B.

Robinson Cano

Of course, we can’t talk about the Mariners infield with talking about the biggest addition to the team this past offseason. Yes, I’m talking about Robinson Cano.

2014: 157 G, 595 AB, 77 R, 187 H, 37 2B, 2 3B, 14 HR, 82 RBI, 61 BB, 68 K, 10 SB, .314/.382/.454

* indicates led team

Yes, his home run numbers were down, at the lowest total for a full season since 2008 (14). But Cano was the Mariners’ leader in at-bats, runs, hits, doubles, walks, average, on-base percentage and was tied for the team lead in slugging percentage with Kyle Seager.

Cano also led the team in intentional walks (20) and GDP with 19 twin-killings. He also posted a career-high in steals.

Cano spent much of the season near or at the top of the American League in batting average. But in the final weeks, Cano hit a rough patch.

Robbie batted .265 in the month of September, his lowest monthly total of the year. And in the final week, with the M’s desperate for wins to stay alive, Cano was 2-for-17 (.118) with 0 RBI.

I will take nothing away from Cano, as he lived up to the expectations of most Mariners fans, especially with little protection around him. But if the M’s are able to add a bat this offseason, the M’s will need a full season out of their $240 million man.

Kyle Seager

Seager enjoyed his first All-Star appearance of his career in 2014. He could also earn some additional hardware this offseason and possibly a contract extension. Let’s take a look at his numbers.

2014: 159 G, 590 AB, 71 R, 158 H, 27 2B, 4 3B, 25 HR, 96 RBI, 52 BB, 118 K, 7 SB, .268/.334/.454

Seager led the Mariners in homers, RBI, games played and tied with Cano in slugging.

He also led all American League third basemen with a .981 fielding percentage, committing just eight errors in 422 chances.

But like Cano, Seager all but disappeared down the stretch. Seager batted .235 in the month of September and only .167 in the final week.

Seager also had a hard time hitting on the road. Kyle batted .300 at Safeco Field this season, but only .240 away from home.

But Seager’s season earned him an All-Star nod. It will also more than likely earn him the Gold Glove, a possible Silver

Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Slugger award and like I mentioned, a contract extension.

Brad Miller/Chris Taylor

The season started with a shortstop battle as Brad Miller fought to keep his spot away from Nick Franklin, who lost his spot at second with the signing of Cano.

The season ended with Franklin having been traded at the deadline and Miller fighting for his job once again, with the emergence of Chris Taylor. Here are their numbers.

Miller: 123 G, 367 AB, 47 R, 81 H, 15 2B, 4 3B, 10 HR, 36 RBI, 34 BB, 95 K, 4 SB, .221/.288/.365

Taylor: 47 G, 136 AB, 16 R, 39 H, 8 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 9 RBI, 11 BB, 39 K, 5 SB, .287/.347/.346

Unlike Cano and Seager, Miller seemed to turn things around in the final month, batting .314 in September. But when you look at Taylor’s numbers and project it to a full season, you have to think there will be another SS battle for the Seattle Mariners in Spring Training next season.

Miller will more than likely be the starting SS with Taylor off the bench and ready to take the job if Miller limps out of the gate.

On Friday, we will take a look at the first basemen and designated hitter numbers.