The Seattle Mariners have emerged as a popular pick to make the playoffs this season after new general manager Jerry Dipoto overhauled the roster in the winter.
Two years ago, the Mariners recorded 87 wins and missed the playoffs by just one game, leading many to expect a postseason appearance in 2015. Instead, the team took a major step back, winning just 76 games and finishing fourth in the American League West. The disappointing season led to the dismissals of manager Lloyd McClendon and GM Jack Zduriencik, and now Dipoto and new manager Scott Servais will get the chance to right the ship.
The Mariners came into last season with high expectations, but there were a number of things that did not go according to plan. The bullpen in 2014 was one of the best in baseball, but in 2015 the unit regressed and finished near the bottom of the league in ERA and runs allowed. There was no consistency on the back end, and that is one reason why Dipoto made some major changes.
Felix Hernandez had a strong season, but an injury to Hisashi Iwakuma hurt depth in the rotation and young players like Taijuan Walker and James Paxton were not quite ready to take over. Robinson Cano dealt with some medical issues and had a down year, and overall the offense was one of the worst in the league.
The 2016 season gives the team the chance to turn things around, and the moves Dipoto made could put the team into the playoffs. Here are three things that the Mariners will need to happen if they want to make the postseason this year:
1. Robinson Cano needs to rebound.
Last year, Cano slumped through the first half of the season with a stomach ailment and later needed sports hernia surgery in the offseason. He eventually finished with a solid line of 21 home runs, 79 RBI and a .287 batting average, but his first half really hurt the M's. Cano was hitting .252 with five homers and a .656 OPS through July 6 and the Mariners offense never was able to fully recover. If Cano can rebound this season, the Mariners lineup has the chance to be productive.
2. Taijuan Walker needs to break out.
Felix Hernandez is the ace of the rotation and while the Mariners need him to be at his best, the rest of the staff needs to step up as well. Dipoto has added depth with Nathan Karns and Wade Miley, but the key to the rotation likely will be Walker. The 23-year-old went 11-8 with a 4.56 ERA last season, but he finished strong and will try and bring that momentum into 2016. If Walker can be a breakout player for the Mariners, the M's could be playoff bound.
3. The bullpen needs to be elite (or at least above average).
The Mariners bullpen was a mess last season and this year Dipoto is hoping for a big rebound. The team has a new closer in Steve Cishek, and Dipoto also signed Benoit to take over as the set-up man. Seattle has some depth with David Rollins, Charlie Furbush and Evan Scribner and that could give the M's a strong staff on the back end. If the bullpen holds tight, the postseason could be within reach.
Dave Schoenfeld at ESPN wrote a quick analysis of what he thinks needs to happen for the Mariners to make the playoffs, posting on Twitter: "Felix wins 18, Walker emerges as a star, Cano MVP runner-up, Cruz hit 40 again, bullpen surprises, M's win 90!"
It's that easy Mariners.
