Mariners Analysis: Who's Hot and Who's Not

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May 24, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Seattle Mariners third baseman Kyle Seager (15) is congratulated by first baseman Logan Morrison (20) after hitting a home run in the second inning against Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Peter Llewellyn-USA TODAY Sports

Welcome to week two of the Mariners Market, where I will be discussing what has been an up and down week for the Mariners, as well as discussing who has individually been hot and who has been cold.

The Mariners started off the week on a positive note, closing out the home stand with a shutout victory over the Boston Red Sox. It was a nice bit of momentum going into the road trip, and it has to be much nicer going into an off day after grabbing a victory the day before. They then went into Baltimore and lost two out of three, the only bright spot being Roenis Elias. Giving the Mariners credit where credit is due, they bounced back nicely in Toronto, taking the first two of the three game series. Unfortunately, they couldn’t quite finish the sweep of the Toronto Blue Jays, as they were able to salvage the finale of the three game series.

The Mariners finished the week at 3-3, sitting shy of the .500 mark on the season at 20-23, and a full eight games back from the first place Houston Astros. The Mariners haven’t broken the .500 mark since they were 3-3 back on April 12^th, and hopefully in the coming week they can get hot and reach that mark.

With that being said, and touching on the state of the Mariners a little bit, we’ll now get to who’s stock is on the rise, who’s is falling, and what move I would like to see the Mariners make next.

Next: Robinson Cano

May 19, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Seattle Mariners second baseman Robinson Cano (22) singles during the eighth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Baltimore Orioles defeat Seattle Mariners 9-4. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Stock Down: Robinson Cano

I’ve tried to give him a pass, as I believe all of the Mariners faithful have, but at this point you can’t write this off as a slow start. We’ve reached the quarter mark of the season, and Cano hasn’t been half the player the Mariners need him to be.

In the last seven games he’s batting .208 (5/24) with no extra base hits. He hasn’t had an RBI since the San Diego Padres series, and to be completely honest, he just isn’t getting it done. The Mariners have 54 home runs this year, 41 of those are of the solo variety. 24 of those homeruns have come from either Nelson Cruz or Kyle Seager, and while I don’t know how many solo homeruns each of them have hit, I would bet that it’s been a good amount. This is because Robinson Cano hasn’t gotten on for Cruz and Seager to hit home runs with men on base.

Cano’s defense has been as slick as ever, and the double play he turned on Saturday against the Blue Jays certainly backs that up. But if he doesn’t get his bat going, and at least start getting on base, this Mariners ball club simply won’t thrive and reach the lofty expectations people had for them at the beginning of the season. This time last year, M’s fans were scared because his power numbers were down a good amount, but at this point I think I speak for all of the Mariners’ faithful when I say that it would just be nice to see him on base.

Next: Kyle Seager

May 23, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Seattle Mariners third baseman Kyle Seager flies out to right field in the eighth inning against Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Seattle beat Toronto 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

Stock Up: Kyle Seager

Thankfully, we are starting to see the Kyle Seager that made us all fall in love with him, and what made him become an All Star last year. His glove has been there all year, as he is more than backing up the Gold Glove that he received last year, with phenomenal plays once a game it seems like at the hot corner.

But the 2014 All-Star is now starting to get the bat going, and the Mariners need that in the worst way possible. In the past seven days, he’s hitting .364 (8-22) with two home runs and two RBIs. Sure, the RBI totals aren’t where you’d like them to be, but it is important to keep in mind that no one is getting on in front of him, and if they are Nelson Cruz is usually cleaning things up before Kyle gets a chance.

It’s imperative for the Mariners that Kyle Seager continues to hit the ball hard, so he can provide protection for Nelson Cruz and strike a little fear in opposing pitchers when they reach the middle of this order. With Cano struggling, the only fear other pitchers are encountering so far this season is when the Boomstick comes up to the plate.

Next: Taijuan Walker

May 24, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Taijuan Walker (32) pitches against Toronto Blue Jays in first inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Peter Llewellyn-USA TODAY Sports

Stock Down: Taijuan Walker

Talk about a disappointment, Walker has been that and more. He had a phenomenal spring, a spring that warranted him the final starting spot in what was supposed to be one of the best starting rotations in the Majors. But for some reason he just hasn’t been able to carry it over.

In his last start against the Orioles, he was only able to go 3 2/3 innings for the Mariners, giving up four earned runs as well as walking four. Against the Blue Jays he went 5 2/3 innings giving up four earned runs again, and walking four. Walks and earned runs usually go hand in hand, and he hasn’t been able to locate his pitches, especially his fastball. Teams are well aware of his location issues, and are being patient and waiting for their pitch to hit. He isn’t getting deep into the game, and the Mariners’ bullpen is paying the price for his struggles.

For Walker, the question isn’t whether he has the stuff or not, the question is whether or not he can settle down and locate his pitches. Hopefully he is able to string together a couple good starts and generate some confidence going forward.

Next: Roenis Elias

May 20, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Roenis Elias (29) pitches during the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Stock Up: Roenis Elias

Elias was called up from Triple A a couple weeks back, and it seems like he has taken it upon himself to make sure he isn’t headed back to Tacoma anytime soon. Against the Orioles this past week, he pitched an absolute gem, going 7 2/3 innings of six hit baseball while allowing just one run and striking out four. An even better sign is the fact that he didn’t give up a single free pass to any of the Orioles’ batters.

How Elias has pitched for the Mariners is incredibly impressive, especially when you consider he could’ve been down on himself when he didn’t make the Mariners’ roster coming out of the spring. But with Hisashi Iwakuma on the DL, the Mariners needed someone to step up and Elias has been that guy. When Iwakuma comes back (and it is looking more and more like that won’t be anytime soon as he has been shut down) expect Elias to stay. He has done what he has needed to and more.

I have as much faith in the young southpaw as anyone in this pitching rotation not named Felix Hernandez, and he has been a true Godsend to this rotation. If things stay the same, once Iwakuma comes back, expect Walker to make his way down to Triple A, and Elias to take a strangle hold on the 5^th and final spot in the rotation.

Next: Danny Farquhar

May 19, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Danny Farquhar (40) pitches during the fifth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Baltimore Orioles defeat Seattle Mariners 9-4. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Stock Down: Danny Farquhar

I don’t know why Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon keeps insisting on bringing Danny Farquhar in, but McClendon’s loyalty has not been rewarded. Farquhar has a 13.50 ERA in the past week, giving up eight hits in the process. He can’t get out of jams, and that is supported by the opposition hitting .302 off him so far this season.

Every time he comes trotting in, I just get a deflated feeling and I’m sure I’m not alone there. He had a great year for the Mariners last year, and maybe Lloyd is just hoping that the 2014 Danny Farquhar will emerge. However, you can only bang your head against a wall for so long before you just have to give up. And while we’re at it, every time I watch him come in and get shelled I just get so incredibly frustrated that the Mariners traded away Yoervis Medina. He’s a power arm out of the bullpen, and someone who I firmly believe could’ve had a much more significant role than Danny Farquhar.

But, that’s for another place and another discussion. What isn’t up for discussion amongst Mariners’ fans is this, Danny Farquhar needs to be sent down to try and find his stuff and hopefully gain some confidence again.

Next: Stock Trader

Apr 29, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Seattle Mariners center fielder Austin Jackson (16) hits during the game against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Stock Trader: Call up Austin Jackson, send down Dustin Ackley

Austin Jackson is just about ready to make his way back up to the Mariners, going 3-5 last night for the Tacoma Rainers. In his seven games with the Rainiers, he is hitting .310 with 2 doubles, 3 runs scored, an RBI, as well as going 1 for 1 on stolen bases. He has also walked 4 times, which means he is seeing the ball well and that is a good sign.

The Mariners need some stability at the top of the lineup, and Jackson will be able to bring that. He’s a veteran hitter, and having him back in the lineup will bring a huge boost to the Mariners offense.

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