The Seattle Mariners have been a staple of the American League West since 1977, but they have yet to win the division title. As the Mariners look to make a push for the top spot in the AL West, it is worth exploring the possibility of them winning the division. Here are three reasons for and three reasons against the Seattle Mariners winning the American League West.
Reasons for:
1. Improved Roster: The Mariners have made a number of moves this offseason to improve their roster. They acquired slugger Edwin Encarnacion, who is a proven power hitter, as well as starting pitcher Marco Gonzales, who is coming off a career year. These moves should help the Mariners compete for the division title.
2. Strong Pitching: The Mariners have one of the best pitching staffs in the AL West. They have a deep rotation that includes Felix Hernandez, James Paxton, and Marco Gonzales. They also have a strong bullpen with Edwin Diaz, Juan Nicasio, and Nick Vincent.
3. Home Field Advantage: The Mariners play their home games at Safeco Field, which is one of the best pitcher’s parks in the league. This should give them an advantage over their division rivals who don’t have access to such a favorable environment for their pitchers.
Reasons Against:
1. Lack of Depth: While the Mariners have improved their roster this offseason, they still lack depth in certain areas. They don’t have a true ace in their rotation and their bullpen is thin behind Diaz and Nicasio. This could be an issue if they are in contention late in the season.
2. Injury Concerns: The Mariners have a number of players on their roster who have dealt with injuries in recent years. Felix Hernandez and Robinson Cano are both coming off injuries and it remains to be seen how they will perform this season.
3. Tough Competition: The AL West is one of the toughest divisions in baseball with teams like the Astros, Angels, and Rangers all vying for the top spot. The Mariners will need to be at their best if they want to compete with these teams for the division title.
In conclusion, while there are reasons for and against the Seattle Mariners winning the American League West, it is certainly possible for them to make a run at the division title this season. With an improved roster, strong pitching staff, and home field advantage, the Mariners have a chance to make some noise in the AL West. However, they will need to stay healthy and compete with some tough division rivals if they want to reach the top spot.
