Seattle Mariners Top-10 Story Lines For 2015

Sep 16, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; Seattle Mariners players Justin Smoak (17) , Chris Taylor (1) and Brad Miller (5) celebrate after the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

10- Who wins the Opening Day shortstop job?

Seems like we were here a year ago. With the signing of Robinson Cano, Nick Franklin was forced to fight it out with Brad Miller for the starting job at short.

Miller won, Franklin went to Triple-A Tacoma, was called up and failed miserably and was eventually traded to Tampa in the deal that brought Austin Jackson to Seattle.

This year, the Mariners have Miller once again fighting for his starting job. This time against Chris Taylor who had a decent ending to the 2014 season with the big club.

Trade rumors have been swirling around one or the other of these shortstops for months. The New York Mets pop up often as being a possible trade partner for Miller.

Whether the Mariners will trade the loser of the Spring Training competition is yet to be seen, but it seems plausible that either Miller or Taylor could go down a similar road that Franklin faced in 2014.

I’m a fan of Taylor, but I know a lot of fans like Miller. And, if Miller can start the year the way he started or ended last year, then he should win the job and solidify the bottom of the lineup.