SODO MOJO
FanSided

Ranking the Seattle Mariners greatest seasons ever by Hitters

By Christopher O'Day

Seattle Mariners' Edgar Martinez(C) grimaces after he is congratulated by teammates Ken Griffey, Jr.(L) and Alex Rodriguez(R) after Martinez hit a first inning, three-run homer, against the New York Yankees in Seattle 26 May. Seattle defeated New York, 4-3. AFP PHOTO (Photo by DAN LEVINE / AFP) (Photo by DAN LEVINE/AFP via Getty Images)
Seattle Mariners' Edgar Martinez(C) grimaces after he is congratulated by teammates Ken Griffey, Jr.(L) and Alex Rodriguez(R) after Martinez hit a first inning, three-run homer, against the New York Yankees in Seattle 26 May. Seattle defeated New York, 4-3. AFP PHOTO (Photo by DAN LEVINE / AFP) (Photo by DAN LEVINE/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Mariners: Nelson Cruz in 2015
ARLINGTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 20: Nelson Cruz #23 of the Seattle Mariners bats against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington on September 20, 2015 in Arlington, Texas. The Seattle Mariners defeated the Texas Rangers 9-2. (Photo by John Williamson/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

#7: Nelson Cruz: 2015 w/6.0 oWAR. Also, 2016 w/5.0

Let’s take a trip back to 2014. The Mariners had signed Robinson Cano (more on him soon) to a massive deal, the largest one handed out in team history. He put together a great opening season and the Mariners were looking for another bat to add to increase the viability of their lineup.

Nelson Cruz had been suspended in 2013 but came back better than ever in 2014 in a one-year deal that he signed with the Orioles. He hit the free-agent market as a premier power hitter with a good average to go along with it, albeit with a strong defensive liability.

The Mariners would end up agreeing on a 4yr/$57m deal with Cruz, and it would turn out to be one of the best deals that the Mariners had ever signed. That first year though was the special year for Cruz. .302/.369/.556 with a 159 OPS+, 44 HR, 93 RBI, 90 R, and 22 2Bs. It was a massive win for the Mariners, and he performed better than anyone thought he would.

It was the start of an incredible four-year career with the Mariners, and Cruz would earn three All-Star nods, two Silver Sluggers, and finish 6th, 15th, and 10th in MVP voting. 2016 wasn’t too shabby either, and he would have another 40+ HR season with a .287/.360/.555 slash line.

I mentioned him earlier, so let’s talk Robinson Cano.

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