Mariners might have a dynamic infield duo in Kolten Wong and JP Crawford

The Seattle Mariners are a team that has a lot of hype going into the 2023 season, and rightfully so. They were finally able to end their long playoff drought last season in epic fashion, as catcher Cal Raleigh walked off a 1-1 game against a division rival, sending them to postseason glory on the last day of the regular season.

Now, they are building off of that, adding pieces like a puzzle while putting them where they fit. The moves they have made would suggest they feel that this team can get past that second round. They feel like they can beat the Astros or the Yankees of the world, and we all want to see that.

One of the biggest additions the team made this offseason is Kolten Wong, a two-way guy who will easily add a boost at the second basemen spot than what they were getting last season, and man, he is excited to join the team, as evidenced at the Spring Training Luncheon the team held.

"Yeah, obviously excited, as you said, you know, I'm at a point in my career now where I'm trying to win a ring, you know, and obviously seeing what Seattle was able to do last year... The excitement they brought throughout baseball last year was definitely something that made me as a player excited to come here. And, you know, obviously seeing the talent you guys had, and the pitching staff that you guys had. I just want to be a board on board, so I'm excited."

I think the Mariners and Mariners fans are equally as excited. Not just for Wong, but what he brings paired with another player. The defensive duo of him and J.P. Crawford will be something beautiful to watch.

In fact, there are some expectations out there that people have for the two. Some think they could be the best defensive duo up the middle of the infield. I’m not going to say they can’t, but hearing Wong talk about it certainly makes me feel even better about the situation.

"I talked to him for a little bit and, very excited... You see a guy who's out there grinding every single day guy who plays the game the right way, has that swagger, and, defensively, he's one of the premier guys you want to watch, making some kind of acrobatic play and I feel like me and him in the middle, it's kind of the same guy on both sides. So, having us go up the middle too, kind of be that spark and, be that excitement... Obviously, you've got Julio [Rodriguez] kind of running the show, and rightfully so the guy's amazing to watch, is an amazing player, and for how young he just seems like the maturity is through the roof. So, watch us throughout the middle. I think it's gonna be very fun and with that pitching staff, you know, I think, I think me and J.P. are really gonna have fun doing some players behind these guys."

This group is going to be beyond fun to watch. Last season they were a team you didn’t want to miss when at the plate. They had some amazing defensive moments too, just to make things even better.

This season I think we will see equally the same amount of jaw-dropping plays on both sides. And, even the pitching staff is going to do some big things in 2023.

Fans should be excited about what’s to come with what could be a pretty good duo in 2023. I know I am, and Wong certainly sounds excited as well.