Mariners Roundtable: Fresh Faces Add Intrigue to Cactus League Action

In this edition of the SoDo Mojo Roundtable, we discuss which newcomers we are most excited to watch this spring.

2015 was a season filled with failure and broken dreams for the Seattle Mariners and their fans. Change is inevitable whenever a team fails to meet expectations, and the M’s were no exception this offseason. There are plenty of fresh faces around Peoria, and today we will be discussing which newcomers we are most looking forward to watching in Cactus League play.

The Mariners made wholesale changes on the field and in the front office. First and foremost, General Manager Jack Zduriencik was replaced by former Los Angeles Angels GM, Jerry Dipoto. The 47-year-old Jersey City, NJ product relieved Lloyd McClendon of his duties, and hired Scott Servais to serve as the M’s skipper in 2016. Servais is a former colleague and teammate of Dipoto, but this season will be his first as a coach.

Dipoto and his staff infused the M’s starting rotation with fresh blood this winter. Felix Hernandez and Hisashi Iwakuma remain the top hurlers in the starting rotation, but Wade Miley was acquired from the Boston Red Sox to fill the number three spot. Seattle also traded for right-hander Nate Karns from the Tampa Bay Rays. Karns will battle James Paxton and Mike Montgomery this spring for the final spot in the starting rotation.

The bullpen has been completely rebuilt. Out are Danny Farquhar, Tom Wilhelmsen and Carson Smith, and in are Joaquin Benoit, Steve Cishek and Evan Scribner. Seattle also added veteran right-handers Ryan Cook, Justin De Fratus and Joel Peralta. The ‘Pen will certainly have a different feel to it in 2016, and hopefully they will be a much more consistent unit.

More from Mariners News

• What Jerry Dipoto’s trades, comments mean for remainder of Mariners offseason
• Mariners Select Chris Clarke in Rule 5 Draft
• Thank you for a Memorable Year, Abraham Toro and Jesse Winker!
• Winter Meetings Wrap Up: Checking where the Mariners stand
• A Farewell to Mitch Haniger as he signs with the San Francisco Giants

Logan Morrison was a fan favorite in Seattle, but he was shipped to Tampa Bay along with former shortstop Brad Miller. The Mariners traded for veteran Adam Lind from the Milwaukee Brewers to fill the void left by LoMo at first base. The M’s were disappointed with Mike Zunino behind the plate last season, and Dipoto signed Chris Iannetta to replace Z. Steve Clevenger was also acquired to seve as Iannetta’s backup in 2016.

The Mariners’ outfield will also have a new look this season. Nori Aoki was signed to hit leadoff and be the M’s everyday left fielder. Seattle felt they needed an upgrade in center field, and landed Leonys Martin from the Texas Rangers. Boog Powell is an intriguing young outfielder who was acquired from the Rays this offseason.

Well, that’s the recap of the new names in Arizona right now. Without further adieu, let’s get to who the staff here at SoDo Mojo is most exciting to see play this spring.

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