Mariners Spring Training: 8 Things To Know

Feb 13, 2014; Peoria, AZ, USA; Seattle Mariners pitcher

throws during team workouts at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Spring Training numbers don’t matter. That’s what everyone says– and there is a lot of truth to it. The Mariners looked really good across the board last Spring Training, and look how far that got them.

Look at this Spring Training thus far too, and its hard to ignore both good and bad.

It’s funny with the Seattle Mariners, though. Instead of saying ‘oh, it’s Spring Training numbers don’t matter,’ people being watchful of the M’s have a different approach. If a guy is making strides and  has good numbers it’s: ‘Spring Training numbers don’t matter.’

But if a player is struggling at the plate or in the field, it’s: ‘Wow. They suck and they’re never going to get better and the Mariners are going to be worse than ever this year because this one player can’t figure it out.’

Ouch.

Since the Mariners have played 8 Spring Training games to the tune of a 6-2 record, I want to throw out 8 things to know so far about Mariners Spring Training and what they mean for the season.

Let’s give it the shakedown:

1. He is Who We Thought He Was:

March 3, 2014; Peoria, AZ, USA; Seattle Mariners second baseman

(22) reacts after hitting an RBI single in the fifth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

In his first live at-bat as a Mariner, Robinson Cano took the first pitch he saw and drove it back up the middle for a single. He is a good baseball player, and he will continue to be good (or great) in Seattle this season.

He will get on base (either with hits or walks) and he will hit the ball all over the place. Sure, he will hit less home runs than he did at New Yankee Stadium, but then again, what lefty power hitter wouldn’t?

2. The Mariners Need Hisashi Iwakuma and Taijuan Walker:

Feb 13, 2014; Peoria, AZ, USA; Seattle Mariners pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma during team workouts at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Both of these guys were penciled into the starting rotation before Spring Training even began. Iwakuma as the incumbent number 2 starter and 3rd place Cy Young award finalist. Walker as the barely-legal-to-drink flamethrower who showed so much promise at the end of last season.

However, both of them are hurt. Iwakuma has a splint on his middle throwing finger for two more weeks after injuring a tendon pulling balls out of a net during private drills in January.

Walker has a ‘sore shoulder’ that has apparently been lingering since December– something we should be worried about, unless we aren’t supposed to be worried about it. He is supposed to be throwing in a week after a 7-day shut down.

Without these two to start the year, the Mariners rotation behind Felix Hernandez will be a rag-tag group of scrappy vets and youngsters.

3. The Mariners Now Need Scott Baker and Randy Wolf:

Feb 20, 2014; Peoria, AZ, USA; Seattle Mariners pitcher Scott Baker (58) poses for a picture during photo day at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports

With those injuries to two guys presumably in the starting rotation, non-roster invitees Baker and Wolf need to step up and make statements this spring. At least one of them needs to be in the rotation come opening day.

Thus far, with limited work, they have both looked good. In one 2 inning outing, Baker allowed 1 hit and one walk with a strikeout. Limited work, but promising nonetheless.

Wolf has identical numbers, actually. 2.0 IP, 1 K, 1 BB, 1 H. No earned runs.

These two dudes need to step it up for the Mariners ship to stay afloat the first few weeks of the regular season.

5. Abraham Almonte is Playing His Way Onto The Opening Day Roster:

Feb 20, 2014; Peoria, AZ, USA; Seattle Mariners outfielder Abraham Almonte (36) poses for a picture during photo day at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports

Abe Almonte flashed speed and power and some solid defense after being called up at the end of last season.

This Spring, he is getting a hard look from manager Lloyd McClendon to be the leadoff guy.

So far he is only batting .133/.235/.400, but again it is Spring Training. He has already walked twice and stolen a base, and he has shown that his speed at the top of the order could wreak havoc on other teams.

He may get the nod in centerfield because it seems like McClendon really likes his upside and what he has to offer. If that is the case, right field will be the ultimate battle ground in the outfield.

6. Is Saunders the Odd-Man Out?

Feb 20, 2014; Peoria, AZ, USA; Seattle Mariners outfielder

(55) poses for a picture during photo day at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports

Or will Corey Hart continue having knee problems and be forced to primarily first base and DH?

This seems to be one of the biggest questions of the spring. I think Ackley has left field– though I know that is premature– and I give Almonte a 70% chance to be the Opening Day center-fielder.

The power potential in Hart’s bat is something the Mariners desperately need from their right fielder, especially as a righty. If his knees can hold up– and the Mariners are indeed bringing him along slowly– he looks to be the right fielder.

That would make Michael Saunders the fourth outfielder which, in my opinion, would seem to be his role on most playoff contending teams. He can play any outfield spot, he is fast, and he has some power. If the Condor is our fourth outfielder, that bodes well for offensive production from the outfield.

However, with an outfield of Ackley, Almonte, and Hart (left to right), that means Logan Morrison will be DHing and playing mostly first base.

7. Will Any More Moves Be Made?

Sep 20, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals pitcher

(54) delivers a pitch against the Texas Rangers during the first inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

I wrote recently that the Mariners ought to sign both Kendrys Morales AND Ervin Santana.

And even if Spring Training hadn’t started the way it has, I still say sign them both. The pitching depth is so desperately needed it’s unreal. We cannot rely on two veterans recovering from major surgery to hold down the tail end of the rotation for any significant part of the season. Remember Aaron Harang, Kevin Millwood, and Joe Saunders? (Note: Joe Saunders just signed with the Texas Rangers– the shoe is on the other foot, haha!!)

If Morales were signed too, a trade would be all but necessary. A trade that would send Nick Franklin plus either Justin Smoak or Logan Morrison elsewhere for hopefully pitching depth and some outfield power.

Though, if you ask me, I don’t want any additions to this outfield. An Ackley, Almonte, Hart, plus Saunders rotation is going to surprise people this season; mark my words.

8. Who Is Going To Bat Leadoff?

March 4, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman

(5) reaches second base on a wild pitch against the tag of Seattle Mariners shortstop

(5) at Camelback Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

So far this spring it looks like Almonte. When asked about who was in contention, McClendon threw out a lot of names off the top of his head, including Ackley, Xavier Avery, Almonte, Franklin, but NOT Brad Miller.

Either that was just a mental oversight or he doesn’t like Miller in the one-hole. We shall see.

Nobody seems to know what the batting order is going to look like, except that the 2,3,4,5,6 looks to be as of right now Kyle Seager, Cano, Hart, Smoak, Morrison, and then 7,8,9 is going to be a combination of Miller, Ackley, Mike Zunino, and Almonte, with one of the three speedier guys (sorry Mike) taking the top of the lineup.

Final Words:

Mar 3, 2014; Goodyear, AZ, USA; The Seattle Mariners celebrate after defeating the Cincinnati Reds at Goodyear Ballpark. The Seattle Mariners won the game 6-5. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

There are still a lot of things up in the air; but that’s why we have a month of Spring Training to pare down and really figure out what this team is going to become. Soak in that Arizona sunshine– vicariously if you must.

And just be happy that the Mariners are playing baseball again! I know I am.

One last thing to be watchful of this spring: the battle for bullpen spots is far from over. Veteran Joe Beimel is fighting for a spot, and so far it has been up and down for some of the supposed mainstays in the ‘Pen (ahem Tom Wilhelmsen ahem).

But like everyone says over and over and over again, it’s just Spring Training. Enjoy it for what it is: practice and preparation for the regular season.