Expect to see World Series games played at Safeco Field next season.
Maybe that’s a touch presumptuous, but the 2014 Seattle Mariners just missed a postseason berth on an uncharacteristically shaky performance by ace Felix Hernandez in the final week of the season. The Mariners seemed poised to wrestle away a ticket to the dance from either the Oakland Athletics or even the “feel good story” Kansas City Royals.
Come 2015, very little is changing in Seattle.
When the random drawing of names occurred, I was chosen to replace Jack Zdurienck as general manager for a week or two. At the time, I only had passing knowledge of the roster from years of fantasy baseball and a love of the town I was in for three hours this past May.
What I was surprised to find is just how similar the Seattle Mariners are to the New York Mets. Both clubs are built on the shoulders of their pitchers, led by a dominant ace in the forms of King Felix and Matt Harvey. Both teams are loaded with unproven, but talented young starters ready to crack the majors. Handed Hernandez and a surprisingly-effective Hisashi Iwakuma, offseason plans also called for a bevy of youngsters like James Paxton, Roenis Elias, Taijuan Walker and Danny Hultzen.
Pitching at the end of the game was rock solid for both the Mariners and Mets, ending the season with stellar bullpens. Veteran closer Fernando Rodney converted 48 of 51 saves. He was backed by his eventual successor Carson Smith, lefty Charlie Furbush, long man Tom Wilhelmsen and others.
Unfortunately, the M’s also mirror the Amazin’s offensive woes. Both teams have an intriguing young catcher – Mike Zunino, a talented centerfielder who may not hit for power – Austin Jackson, and one or two good infielders. But the Mariners as an American League club also need to field a designated hitter after departed Corey Hart and Kendrys Morales both underachieved.
Handing yours truly the keys to the job, ownership imposed a $100 million payroll cap. That meant taking a 40-man roster with $96 million in 2014 and finding a way to add major offensive pieces without breaking the bank. Without admitting to anything, I may or may not have repeatedly asked for additional financial flexibility, albeit without any success.
My first decision was to dump the likes of underwhelming Justin Smoak and mouthy right fielder Michael Saunders. With Saunders gone, my second action killed two birds with one stone. Rookie shortstop Chris Taylor offered better defense, a league minimum salary and passable offense, so I shipped Brad Miller with one time Yankee top prospect Jesus Montero to the Oakland Athletics for right fielder Brandon Moss and a cool million in cash. Moss added some of the pop and replaced Saunders, while opening up roster spots for players more talented than Miller and Montero.
Moss can also play a little first base and handle DH’ing, sharing those roles with incumbent Logan Morrison. However, I was banking on them starting in the field and the 25-man roster was still in dire need of a power bat. What happened next could only happen by rubbing a rabbit’s foot while catching a leprechaun carrying a four-leaf clover – the Mariners signed slugger Chris Davis for $1.1 million. I may have busted into a fit of laughter in public upon receiving this information. If Davis again finds the swing that finished 2013 with 53 home runs, I won the jackpot. If he struggles ala 2014 under the Mendoza line to go with 26 home runs, it was a ridiculously cheap gamble.
Suddenly, the offense has fewer chinks in the armor and no shortage of flexibility with guys like Morrison, Davis and Moss sharing first base and designated hitter, among other roles. It also means I can turn the enigma that is Dustin Ackley into a backup at left field, center field and second base.
My time as GM was coming to a close and, not to toot my own horn, but the 2015 Mariners were coming together well. A later free agency announcement and non-roster invites caught me off guard, aging pitchers Chris Young and Joe Beimel found new homes for the upcoming season. Left in the lurch, I opted to gamble with more youth in the starting rotation in the form of Walker while signing lefty Marc Rzepczysnki to the league minimum. Daisuke Matsuzaka was offered an invite to camp as insurance for the young pitchers, while Rangers castoff Chris Gimenez earned an invite as an interesting minor cog with experience catching and playing around the field.
When the Seattle Mariners hoist the Commissioner’s Trophy in 2015, it’ll be dominant starting pitching going deep into games before a stellar bullpen preserves the lead. The offense, while not a classic slugging American League-style lineup, should feature a mix of power, speed and average that will score enough runs to win.
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