All of the baseball world in the PAC NW will want to see nothing but great production from Cano in Seattle. He may have a great year with the new club, however the management has not armed him with many dependable offensive talents. I fully expect the Second Baseman to hit .300/.400./.500 this season, but I think his HRs will be in the low 20′s (if not teens,) and his Doubles will be high. I am not sure he will crack 100 RBI either. Get used to it Cano. This is the 1st season of a 10 YR/$240 MIL deal. He has a career 3 slash of .309/.355/.504, but you can bet he will be walked a ton this year as opposing teams bypass the biggest threat on Seattle’s team.
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
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I wonder what was promised to Robinson Cano once he inked that 10 YR/$240 MIL, or he was just so ecstatic about the cash he failed to ask the question.
I am just kidding. You know I love ya Cano…and that I am a Yankees fan…and bought 20 sets of game tickets at Safeco this year – primarily because you are on the team.
Actually, the 2B stated a few weeks ago that he is not pleased with the state of the current squad. I can’t say I blame him.
Lloyd McClendon has been the hitting coach for the Detroit Tigers since 2007, coaching some of the game’s top lineups during his time. He will have his hands full trying to pull out every ounce of offense the Mariners can muster in 2014. Perhaps his biggest challenge will be to convince his young hitters that they can hit in Seattle. The Mariners have had one of the worst home Batting Averages for the last few years, where they have been very productive on the road. Considering the candidates, this was a strong hire.
40% of their Starting Rotation is on the shelf, and 60 HRs off of their offense already has departed in the form of Kendrys Morales, Raul Ibanez and Mike Morse.
While Morse left via trade near the deadline, the acquisitions don’t exactly give the M’s fans a chance to do the happy dance “Snoopy Style”.
Jack Z brought in injury prone 1B/OF Corey Hart – and Logan Morrison, while re-signing his own health hazard problem the last few years, in CF Franklin Gutierrez.
All of these guys can hit if they are healthy, but I am thinking a call for the ‘meat wagon’ is more likely for these fellows.
All kidding aside, unless there is some serious internal improvements from within this lineup, this team is going to struggle to score runs.
Jack Z. and the brass could still pony up some hard cash – and bring back DH/1B Kendrys Morales, which at this point would be his best move to compete in 2014.
Dustin Ackley had a brutal start to the 3013, and was demoted to the Minors and shifted to the OF. Ackley focused on his offense and had a great 2nd half at the plate when he returned to Seattle. The 2nd overall pick in the 2009 MLB Amateur Draft, just turned 26, and is nearing 1500 Plate Appearances at the MLB level. I look for him to have a breakout year.
Forget this notion of Abraham Almonte hitting 1st, the guy is batting .154 in Spring Training. I would honestly try Dustin Ackley up there to start the year.
In the second half, this guy 3 slashed .304/.374/.435 in his 184 AB in the 2nd half and has done the role before. In 2012, he scored 84 Runs despite carrying an OBP of just .294.
The team is also said they may use Nick Franklin in the slot should he beat out Brad Miller for the SS position. Again..bad idea.
Ackley looked the part in his 2011 campaign, slashing .273/.341/.417 – with 29 XBH in 333 AB. If he could somehow duplicate these type of numbers out of the 1 hole, then the club would be better off for it.
You can always switch off to Franklin or Almonte if Ackley starts off slow. He is the guy that was picked 2nd overall in the 2009 MLB Amateur Draft, and he has shown he can draw a walk.
There is nothing wrong with hitting 3 LHB in a row, when Seager and Cano are your last two guys.
The former Yankee is tearing up the Spring. Breaking free from the Bronx, this year will test the man’s resolve as a leader on the club.
Seager is one of the better young players in the entire game. He has also been the Mariner’s most potent bat
MY Projected Lineup:
LF: Dustin Ackley: .275/.345/.420 – 85 Runs Scored
3B: Kyle Seager: .265/.345/.455 – 60 XBH (24 HRs) and 85 RBI
Kyle Seager has been the most productive hitter in the Mariners lineup for the last few years. Having Robinson Cano hit after him this year, should help improve the pitch selection for what he sees to hit in 2014.
2B: Robinson Cano .300/.400/.500 – 21 HRs 90 RBI
DH: Corey Hart: .255/.328/.460 – not sure about how many AB he receives. You can bank on the guy Striking out a ton. It will be a culture shock from playing at Safeco Field, after playing for years at Miller Park.
Justin Smoak finally cracked the 20 HR plateau for the 1st time in his career during the 2013 year. He 3 Slashed for .238/.334/.746 in the entire year, and is finally showing some promise towards the future. He was the main piece back in a 2010 trade to the Texas Rangers in exchange for the soon to be Free Agent Cliff Lee. The Mariners could have 5 players near the 20 HR plateau with Saunders, Cano, Smoak, Seager and Hart as part of the Opening Day Lineup.
1B: Justin Smoak: .250/.340/.450 – 22 HRs, 71 RBI
Nick Franklin charged out of the gate in his MLB career, before slowing down to end the year. He will battle all year long with Brad Miller for the SS position. Franklin has also been subject to plenty of trade speculation. If he can hit well and play SS nicely, a full time opportunity will come sooner rather than later.
SS: Nick Franklin or Brad Miller COMBO: .245/.310/.400 – 17 HRs 67 RBI
RF: Michael Saunders: .240/.325/.415 – 20 HRs, 21 SB
C: Mike Zunino: .245/.320/.400 – 18 HRs 55 RBI
CF: Abraham Almonte .247/.314/.385 – 10 HRs 45 RBI
Bench
Willie Bloomquist was with the Mariners from 2003 – 2008 previously before he spent the last 6 years abroad. In the last 4 years, he has hit .289/.328/.368 in the last 3 years with Arizona. He scores about a run every 8 AB which is nice production. The 36 year old Washington State native, has played all Infield and Outfield positions during his career. He signed a 2 YR deal worth $5.8 MIL, and is a good guy to have on a competitive team.
UTIL: Willie Bloomquist
1B/OF/DH: Logan Morrison
C: John Buck
UTIL INF: Nick Franklin/Brad Miller
DL for the whole year:
Franklin Gutierrez
The Seattle Mariners State Of The Union For 2014 Part 1: Winter Deals + Pitchers
Corey Hart, 33. was one of the better power hitters in the NL from 2007 – 2012, before nagging injuries sidelined him for the 2013 year, He has a 3 slash of .276/.334/.491 for his career, and could hit 20+ HRs and add 80+ RBI in a full year. Logan Morrison’s best year came in 2011, where he clubbed 23 HRs and added 72 RBI, and he has also battled injuries for the last 2 years. He can draw walks. and carries a .249/.337/.427 3 slash into 2014. These guys can DH and play RF + back up Justin Smoak at 1B. Hart was signed to a 1 YR deal worth $6 MIL, and Morrison is in the 1st year of Arbitration this year, meaning he will be under team control until 2014. Zduriencik must continue too look for more depth at offense, and should really investigate how to bring back Kendrys Morales. He could definitely make a trade with and extra SS+1B on the roster. He will need everyone to be healthy though.
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Tagged: 25 man roster seattle mariners 2014, abraham almonte, AL West, brad miller, corey hart, Dustin Ackley, franklin gutierrez, Jack Zduriencik, john buck, john jaso, justin smoak, kendrys morales, kyle seager, Lloyd McClendon, logan morrison, Michael Saunders, Mike Morse, mike zunino, miller park, milwaukee brewers, new york yankees, Nick Franklin, raul ibanez, robinson cano, safeco field, seattle mariners, willie bloomquist
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