Seattle Mariners: Way too early Opening Day lineup and roster predictions

HOUSTON, TEXAS - AUGUST 25: Julio Teheran #49 of the Los Angeles Angels pitches against the Houston Astros during game two of a doubleheader at Minute Maid Park on August 25, 2020 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS - AUGUST 25: Julio Teheran #49 of the Los Angeles Angels pitches against the Houston Astros during game two of a doubleheader at Minute Maid Park on August 25, 2020 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
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Seattle Mariners Yohan Ramirez
SEATTLE, WA – AUGUST 07: Reliever Yohan Ramirez #55 of the Seattle Mariners delivers a pitch during a game against the Colorado Rockies at T-Mobile Park on August 7, 2020 in Seattle, Washington. The Rockies won the game 8-4. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)

The Opening Day bullpen

RP Yohan Ramirez

RP Will Vest

RP Brandon Brennan

RP Anthony Misiewicz

RP Keynan Middleton

SP/RP Kendall Graveman

RP Rafael Montero

The bullpen will be decided at spring training as there are now a few arms who will certainly make the seven-man pen, but there are plenty of pitchers who will be fighting for the last few spots. Ramirez and Misiweicz looked excellent last year in the shortened season and will be a part of the opening day bullpen, and Kendall Graveman looked excellent when he switched over to a relief role last year.

Middleton and Montero should be 100%’ers to make the bullpen as well as they were just signed and traded for. The last two spots belong to Will Vest, who the Mariners drafted in the Rule 5 draft, and Brandon Brennan, who the Mariners took in the 2018 Rule 5 draft.

Vest would be in jeopardy of being sent back to the Detroit Tigers, but with the Mariners still rebuilding they will want to see him in the majors for at least a few outings, so he will be in the opening day pen.

There are plenty of options for the final spot, but Brandon Brennan has pitched very well when he has been healthy and should be the last man in. If there are injuries or players traded Joey Gerber, Sam Delaplane, and Andres Munoz (When he finishes recovering from Tommy John surgery) should be the first ones to get the call, and recent waiver claims Robert Dugger, Casey Sadler, and Domingo Tapia are in jeopardy of being cut.

Schedule