Seattle Mariners Opening Day Roster: Sodo Mojo Predictions

Sep 26, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners first baseman Logan Morrison (20) and relief pitcher Fernando Rodney (56) celebrate after defeating the Los Angeles Angels at Safeco Field. Seattle defeated Los Angeles 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

The Bullpen:

The Mariners’ closer will be Fernando Rodney, letting his arrows loose after every save. Beyond him, the question becomes whether the Mariners carry a 7-man or 8-man rotation. For the sake of starting pitcher preservation and matchups, I would expect McClendon to start the season with an 8-man ‘Pen and eventually work it back to 7.

Those 7 will be:

Sep 25, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Seattle Mariners relief pitcher

(56) gestures in celebration after the final out as the Mariners defeat Toronto Blue Jays 7-5 at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

Rodney RHP

Danny Farquhar RHP

Tom Wilhelmsen RHP

Dominic Leone RHP

Yoervis Medina RHP

Charlie Furbush LHP

David Rollins LHP

If the Mariners go an 8th, I would expect it to be Roenis Elias as a long reliever, or potentially the young stud Carson Smith. Carson Smith will find his way into the bullpen one way or another, but with his youth and minor league options, McClendon won’t be pressed to force him into the ‘Pen.

If the Mariners so choose to re-sign Joe Beimel— which I think they should– then he would likely take Rollins’ lefty spot in the bullpen.

It’s so difficult trying to whittle down the bullpen, though, as each name you read on the depth chart has the potential to shut opposing hitters down.

Just like last season, the Mariners relief corps will be deep and deadly, and McClendon won’t hesitate to go to the squad in left field when the game is tight.