Seattle Mariners Spring Training Preview: The Bullpen

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.