The Seattle Mariners are a Major League Baseball team that is looking to make a big splash in the upcoming season. With the recent signings of free agents and the return of some key players, the Mariners have put together a roster that could make them a contender in the American League West. With the season set to start soon, it is time to take a look at what the Mariners roster would look like if the season started today.
The starting lineup for the Mariners will be led by veteran slugger Nelson Cruz. Cruz is coming off a career year in which he hit .288 with 39 home runs and 119 RBIs. He will be joined in the outfield by Mitch Haniger and Mallex Smith. Haniger is coming off a breakout season in which he hit .285 with 26 home runs and 93 RBIs. Smith is a speedy outfielder who can provide a spark on the basepaths.
In the infield, the Mariners will have Ryon Healy at first base, Dee Gordon at second base, Jean Segura at shortstop, and Kyle Seager at third base. Healy is coming off a solid season in which he hit .271 with 25 home runs and 78 RBIs. Gordon is a dynamic player who can provide speed and defense at second base. Segura is a former All-Star who hit .304 with 10 home runs and 63 RBIs last season. Seager is a steady presence in the middle of the infield who hit .249 with 22 home runs and 78 RBIs last season.
Behind the plate, the Mariners will have Mike Zunino as their starting catcher. Zunino is coming off a solid season in which he hit .251 with 25 home runs and 64 RBIs. He will be backed up by veteran Chris Herrmann. Herrmann is a solid defensive catcher who can provide some offense when needed.
The starting rotation for the Mariners will be led by James Paxton, Felix Hernandez, Mike Leake, Marco Gonzales, and Wade LeBlanc. Paxton is coming off a career year in which he went 12-5 with a 3.76 ERA. Hernandez is a former Cy Young Award winner who is looking to bounce back from an injury-plagued season. Leake is a veteran who has been solid in his two seasons with the Mariners. Gonzales is a young lefty who had a breakout season last year, going 15-9 with a 4.00 ERA. LeBlanc is a crafty veteran who can provide innings when needed.
The bullpen for the Mariners will be led by closer Edwin Diaz. Diaz had an incredible season last year, going 5-4 with 57 saves and a 1.96 ERA. He will be joined by veterans Juan Nicasio, Nick Vincent, and Adam Warren, as well as rookies Dan Altavilla and Chasen Bradford. Nicasio is coming off a solid season in which he went 5-5 with a 3.88 ERA. Vincent is a reliable setup man who had a 2.87 ERA last season. Warren is another veteran who can provide innings when needed. Altavilla and Bradford are two young arms who could provide some depth to the bullpen.
The Seattle Mariners have put together a roster that could make them contenders in the American League West this season. With veterans like Cruz, Hernandez, and Seager leading the way, and young players like Haniger, Smith, and Gonzales providing depth, the Mariners have put together a team that could make some noise this season. If the season started today, this is what the Mariners roster would look like.
