Seattle Mariners Spring Training Preview: The Bullpen

The Shoe-Ins:

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

1. Fernando Rodney

2. Danny Farquhar

3. Tom Wilhelmsen

4. Charlie Furbush

Each of these four bullpen pieces was indispensable in 2014. As the closer, Rodney led all of Major League baseball with 48 saves. And though the 9th inning was deemed the ‘Fernando Rodney Experience’ for the heart palpitations he gave to Mariners fans, he will be the closer in 2015.

The 8th inning guy, Lord Farquhar, was better than Rodney in 2014, and earns a lot less. His 71.0 innings pitched were second only to another shoe-in, converted long reliever Tom Wilhelmsen. Farquhar carried a 2.66 ERA through his 71.0 IP, most impressively striking out 81 batters over those frames. He will be the 8th inning man to start the season at the very least.

Then there’s former closer Tom Wilhelmsen. His 2013 was a mess, and saw him lose the closing job. 2014 started slowly, but the Bartender found his stride as the long reliever out of the ‘Pen. Some debated whether the Mariners would consider trying him as a starting pitcher. The M’s could elect to have the loser in the rotation battle– i.e. whoever would be their #6– start in the ‘Pen as a long reliever, but that 6th guy will most likely be Roenis Elias, who has minor league options. Worth noting: Erasmo Ramierz is OUT of options, so if he does not make the starting rotation out of Spring Training, the M’s will have to expose him to waivers before sending him down.

Lastly, I’ve got Charlie Furbush as the last of the 4 shoe-ins. More than anything else, the ‘Bush is the only proven left-handed reliever in the Mariners organization. He had a rough go to start 2014, but he hit his stride midseason and provided a necessary lefty specialist for the Mariners. Though he carried a 3.61 ERA in 2014, he had a respectable 1.16 WHIP– behind only Wilhelmsen and Farquhar as full-season relievers– and his ERA could drop in 2015.

So deep with reliever talent, it is difficult to distinguish the ‘Maybes’ from the ‘On the Outside Looking Ins’, but that’s exactly what I intend to do.

Next: The Maybes

The Maybes:

Sep 23, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Dominic Leone (52) throws a pitch during the fifth inning in a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. The Toronto Blue Jays won 10-2. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

1. Dominic Leone

2. Yoervis Medina

3. David Rollins

4. Rafael Perez

These guys are almost shoe-ins, but there are some other options so I will say they will “maybe” find their way into the ‘Pen on Opening Day. With relief pitching so deep in the Mariners organization, some very difficult decisions will need to be made.

Ultimately though, I think these three are the ones, rounding out the top-7 in 2015.

Carson Smith, the young flamethrower who pitched 8.1 innings of no-run ball in 8 games in September, will be the odd-man out, as will Rule 5 draft pick up David Rollins. Not because they aren’t deserving, but because they are younger, have options, and could benefit from more polishing in the minors.

Medina has been tough the last two seasons with the Mariners, posting a 2.68 ERA in 57.0 innings in 2014. His 60 strikeouts and .229 batting average against were both impressive. Though I think Smith is more talented and will eventually find his way into the ‘Pen in 2015, Medina is the incumbent and will get the nod.

I think Dominic Leone starts in the ‘Pen once again after a very fortuitous and exciting 2014. In 57 games and 66.1 innings pitched, Leone found himself with an 8-2 record with 70 strikeouts. He had the 6th most wins by a pitcher in 2014 for the M’s. He stays in the ‘Pen because he has devastating stuff, has a proven track record throughout last season, and he has more experience than the younger Carson Smith.

Rafael Perez will eek his way into the ‘Pen over the other left-handed reliever options over Rollins and Luetge. Luetge struggled in 12 games and 9.0 innings with the Mariners in 2014, posting an even 5.00 ERA with 3 home runs allowed, 5 walks and only 7 strikeouts.

Rollins, who the M’s picked up in the Rule 5 draft, has a chance to replace Joe Beimel in the M’s ‘Pen and be the other left-handed specialist with Furbush. I think he has the stuff– from the limited pitching I’ve seen– but will ultimately lose the spot to the experienced and recently signed veteran in Perez. Though Perez is on that minor league deal, the Spring Training invite gives him the opportunity to excel with the M’s.

Next: Probably not, but maybe at some point

On the Outside Looking In:

Sep 26, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Carson Smith (39) pitches to the Los Angeles Angels during the eighth inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

1. Carson Smith

2. Lucas Luetge

As outlined in the previous analysis, these two miss out on the 25-man roster for very different reasons.

For Carson Smith, it is a matter of youth, options, and a lack of Major League experience. After all, he pitched only 8.1 innings in 2014. That being said, I think Smith will be Rodney’s heir when his contract is up after the 2015 season. Smith has a great fastball, the deception, and the mentality to be the Mariners next closer. But to keep his service time clock from starting too soon, the M’s will keep in Triple-A Tacoma, giving him the opportunity to hone his approach while being ready for a call-up at any time.

Luetge, on the other hand, doesn’t seem to have the same command of his pitches as the rest of the Mariners relievers. He has struggled since his debut with the Mariners in 2012, seeing time in Triple-A Tacoma in both the 2013 and 2014 seasons. If he wants to win a job in the Mariners ‘Pen he will have to do just that: win it. David Rollins has some good stuff, and looks to have the upper hand of someone who hasn’t yet found the control he needs to be a lefty reliever in the MLB.

In the end, the Mariners bullpen will look like this:

Closer: Fernando Rodney

Left-handed specialists: Charlie Furbush, Rafael Perez

Right-Handed relievers: Danny Farquhar, Yoervis Medina, Dominic Leone

Long Reliever: Tom Wilhelmsen.

So what do you think about the Seattle Mariners 2015 bullpen? Will these be the 7-guys chilling out in left-center field?

And more importantly, do you think this mod-squad of characters can replicate an MLB-best campaign? If they’re even close to what they were last season, the M’s will be comfortable turning games over late to their ‘Pen.

Especially those games that come in late September and, hopefully, early October.