Mariners Analysis: Updating the M’s 5th Starting Pitcher Position Battle

Nate Karns and James Paxton are battling this spring to fill the final spot in the Mariners starting rotation in 2016.

The is arguably the most high profile of the Seattle Mariners position battles. Whoever wins the final spot in the starting rotation will pitch every fifth day, and will hopefully provide the Mariners with 175 to 200 innings in 2016.

There were originally three competitors, but the field has apparently been trimmed to two. James Paxton and Nate Karns are the main combatants, as Mike Montgomery has permanently shifted to the bullpen. Paxton and Karns have both had success this spring, but only one will exit Arizona in the M’s starting rotation.

Paxton is a very familiar name to fans and he is generally well-liked in Seattle. He has spent parts of the last three seasons with the Mariners, and he has been very effective when healthy. The Mariners acquired Karns from the Tampa Bay Rays this offseason, and he seems to be getting more comfortable on the mound as the spring goes on.

We will begin this slideshow by discussing Nate Karns, who dominated the Texas Rangers on Friday afternoon in Peoria, AZ.

Next: Karns is heating up in the desert