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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Marco Gonzales of the Mariners warms up in the bullpen.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – SEPTEMBER 21: Marco Gonzales of the Seattle Mariners warms up before their game against the Houston Astros. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)

The Opening Day starter and rotation

SP Marco Gonzales

SP Justus Sheffield

SP Yusei Kikuchi

SP Chris Flexen

SP Justin Dunn

SP Julio Teheran

With Chris Flexen signed the Mariners six-man rotation looks like it is coming to shape, and at the top facing the San Francisco Giants and (most likely) opening day starter Kevin Gausman, is Marco Gonzales.

It seems as if Seattle will continue to have an offseason that does not include a big-time signing, so I expect that what they have right now is it, except they bring in Julio Teheran in a depth role. I could see the Mariners signing Teheran to a minor league deal or a prove-it deal similar to Taijuan Walker, and then he beats out Margevicius for the last rotation spot.

Sheffield, Kikuchi, and Flexen are locks to make the rotation and then there is a group of Justin Dunn, Nick Margevicius, Julio Teheran, and Ljay Newsome. Dunn and Teheran will take the last two spots but Newsome and Margevicius will be the first ones called up when someone inevitably gets injured.

The Mariners used a six-man rotation in 2020 and Scott Servais recently said that they will use the same system in 2021. He also said that he would not be surprised if the Mariners signed another pitcher to either a depth role or a rotation role, hence the Teheran signing.

Schedule