2016 Seattle Mariners

[Porter]

I fully expect nothing from this team because nothing surprises me anymore with this enigma of a roster.

Probable Starting Positional Players

CA: Jesus Flores (8-9-5-6-5)- He wont be great defensively but hes the closest I have to a bat at this position until Villatoro is ready to go.

1B: Chris Davis (7-8-10-7-4)- Let's face it, Votto was dealt to give this guy a full time chance as a starter. He never got it when Votto was here. AROD's corpse be damned.

2B: Preston Mattingly (8-8-8-5-5)- Could split time with Adam Rhodes or Tom "Burger" King. Hopefully he can show that he can hit for average

SS: Carlos Triunfel (10-10-10-8-8)- Finally had his breakout year in 2015. Hopefully I won't have to lead him off to repeat it.

3B: Andy LaRoche (7-7-9-7-7)- Not a burner offensively but was brought on because of his defense something Seattle hasn't seen since Beltre... Yeah keep laughing. Vicedo will see some time. But he has to improve his defense a lot to get a legit starting spot.

LF: David Dejesus (8-9-6-6-6)- He is the best defender on this team in LF, CF and RF. If he hits to his career averages, he could be a $1,000,000 steal.

CF: Rocco Baldelli (8-9-8-4-7)- His defense will help considerably and thats why he will be the starter

RF: Adam Jones (8-7-10-7-7)- He moves back to RF for now because A) Seattle needs range in the OF and B) Hes our only other starter that has range over a 5.

DH: Chris Young (8-7-10-6-5)- He will strike out a ton, just hit 25 HRs and have some run production with your .240 average.


Probable Bench Players

CA: Mario Villatorro (7-7-4-5-6, 9-6-7-7-6 talent)- He will start vs LHP this season while he learns the ropes. Decent Range, iffy glove and below average arm.

IF: Adam Rhodes (9-6-1-3-9)- Will see tons of time at 1B, 2B, 3B and SS this season and could amass 300-350 ABs with his speed and contact.

OF: Brent Johnson (7-10-7-3-5, 8-10-7-3-5 vs RHP)- Plays all 3 positions but not great, can't hit lefties if they spotted him a 3-0 count.

OF: Denny Almonte (8-7-9-6-5)- Can Alvarez and Sierra Jr develop quicker? Please!

DH: Dayan Viceido (8-8-8-5-8)- Will play a great deal of time at DH with Chris Young because he cant play 3B. simply put.


Probable Starting Rotation

Ace: Kyle Lobstein (9-9-10, 9 end)- He already has ace-caliber stuff and its a matter of time before they let him pitch to his dominating standards.

#2: Michael Bowden (9-8-10, 8 end, 10-10-10 talent)- This could be the year he could finally break out. Bowden and Lobstein could be a dangerous 1-2 punch.

#3: Kasey Kiker (10-9-6, 9 end)- Kasey had a strong 2nd half of the season and could build on that momentum or end up like Rich Hill.

#4: Phillipe Aumont (10-7-8, 8 end)- Struggled in the ML so far and will get another shot to stick in the rotation


Probable Bullpen

Spot Starter: Dan Haren (9-9-8, 7 End)- Could end up in the rotation when Aumont pisses me off. ETA of that will be June 1st.

Mopup: Jeff Francis (7-8-10, 7 End)- Could this finally be the year he meets expectations?

Middle/Setup: Joel Salo (10-7-9, 3 End)- Could have a great year or just flat out suck again with that talent.

Middle/Setup: Brian Bruney (10-8-7, 3 End)- Great stop gap for a pen that needs lots of help

Middle: Anibal Sanchez (9-6-7, 7 End)- Could be a great pen add.

Middle: Daniel Moskos (10-8-7, 6 End)- Won't have the pressure of being a closer on this squad and adds depth at age 29.

Closer: Carlos Marmol (10-9-10, 3 End)- The AL's best closer on the AL's 3rd worst team. Anyone really want to argue with his 2015 season (1.59 ERA, 68 IP, 127 Ks, 18 BB, 45 H allowed.


Help is on the way maybe....

RF: Ruben Sierra Jr (5-6-6-4-6 actuals, 9-8-10-7-6 talent, 9-9-8 speed) Could be the next star if he gets to that point with his current development. By far the best defender in RF for this team.

CF: Javier Alvarez (7-7-3-3-7 actuals, 8-8-8-7-8 talent, 10 Range, .991 Field in CF)- Could be the steady CF that gets the little things done.

2B: Carlos Gouveia (5-4-2-4-6 actuals, 9-6-6-10-9 talent)- Not a great runner, solid defensively at 2B, strong arm and could be a solid #2 hitter that can get on base a lot.

MR: Arthur Sedillo (5-8-7, 9-8-8 talent, 3 End)- He has to develop to his talent this season.


I just want some actual feedback on how this team is going to look and not the usual smart ass, tired remarks that I'll most likely get. Yes I know this team is going to probably suck. But I think I might have some GOOD things going with this team.

[nick]

I didn't like the Chris Young signing much myself-- you probably would have been better off with a guy who makes more contact, because you've got a lot of k's in the lineup already. But who knows, only 1 year, maybe he'll impress.

I did like the Flores signing though Good move, he went really far under the radar for having such a solid career and being only 31.

I think you should start Haren or Francis as the 5, probably Francis. I'm not a fan of the 4-man though, as I notice it only seems to work for some teams and not others... I think 5-man is a lot less risky. Your pen is pretty deep on paper though, and has enough high-END relievers... so maybe they will be alright.

I think Aumonte needs to start too. Good move there.

If Adam Rhodes isn't starting, who will lead off? David Dejesus? I think you need a true leadoff hitter too... or atleast someone who can play in the spot every day. Rhodes could probably get by on speed and contact, but he wouldn't be my first option. Dejesus isn't bad.

Team could be good or bad... lots of young players, and a decent mix of vets. it really depends on how your pitching winds up... but it isn't lacking talent this year atleast.

[Kingdom]

I think he'll deal Adam Jones for a guy that will retire. Torii Hunter maybe?

[Porter]

I think he'll deal Adam Jones for a guy that will retire. Torii Hunter maybe?

Did I not call that smartass comment coming?

If you don't have anything insightful to say. Then don't say it.

[Porter]

I didn't like the Chris Young signing much myself-- you probably would have been better off with a guy who makes more contact, because you've got a lot of k's in the lineup already. But who knows, only 1 year, maybe he'll impress.

I did like the Flores signing though Good move, he went really far under the radar for having such a solid career and being only 31.

I think you should start Haren or Francis as the 5, probably Francis. I'm not a fan of the 4-man though, as I notice it only seems to work for some teams and not others... I think 5-man is a lot less risky. Your pen is pretty deep on paper though, and has enough high-END relievers... so maybe they will be alright.

I think Aumonte needs to start too. Good move there.

If Adam Rhodes isn't starting, who will lead off? David Dejesus? I think you need a true leadoff hitter too... or atleast someone who can play in the spot every day. Rhodes could probably get by on speed and contact, but he wouldn't be my first option. Dejesus isn't bad.

Team could be good or bad... lots of young players, and a decent mix of vets. it really depends on how your pitching winds up... but it isn't lacking talent this year atleast.

Young is holding down the fort hoping that either Alvarez or Sierra Jr develops in AAA to the point of being called up. I want to start Rhodes but its tough to sit him or Mattingly and he doesn't take a lot of walks, hes more of a #2 hitter, like Dejesus.

Haren will have some starts as a spot starter but I'm going predominately with a 4 man.

[Porter]

Edited with the signings of Baldelli and Moskos.

[Providence A's]

I predict a 3rd or 4th place finish with a win total in the low to mid 70s.

[Porter]

I do think 3rd is most likely for with this squad but this team is better than last years bunch and could win in the high 70's

[Providence A's]

that's assuming other teams stayed the same though. if other teams improved, it may just balance out.

[Porter]

Texas basically staying the same. So i think we will gain some wins there. LAA only added Escobar their team. Adding Fielder will help you a great deal in that 2 team race for the West and probably another 2nd round matchup with NYY.