Whats everyones thoughts on Seattle this year?

[gowazzu02]

Honestly, its a bit of a weird uncomfortable feeling reading all the positive reports and previews. SI just ranked them third behind only WA and LA. As a lifelong Mariner fan who's sat through bobble head nights and relivings of the 95 team over and over again. I just dont know how to feel.

On paper they look real solid, but again games aren't played on paper. Whats the national perspective?

 

[WizardHawk]

It should be hard for anyone to arbitrarily give credence to any team that hasn't made the post season in more than a decade.

There are viable reasons think they have a chance to improve, but can they do something new and actually not only reason the post season, but go somewhere in it?

The national perspective should be they are a potentially scary team that still has to prove how scary they can be.

 

[TxHeat]

They should take the AL West easily. They might get a little competition from Anaheim but the rest of that division totally sucks.

 

[Rock Strongo]

vegas gave the sox 10-1 odds to win the WS

best in the AL

why?

no idea...seattle added some nice pieces, but they also have a lot of holes...like the sox.

preseason rankings are just that.

 

[Rock Strongo]

from bovada.com


Washington Nationals 6/1
Los Angeles Dodgers 17/2
Boston Red Sox 10/1
Seattle Mariners 12/1
St. Louis Cardinals 12/1
Los Angeles Angels 14/1
Chicago Cubs 16/1
Chicago White Sox 16/1
Detroit Tigers 16/1
Cleveland Indians 20/1
Pittsburgh Pirates 20/1
San Diego Padres 20/1
San Francisco Giants 20/1
Oakland Athletics 25/1
Toronto Blue Jays 25/1

 

[OregonDucks]

I think mariners are going to win their division. They are very well built. Going to try and catch a game this year.

 

[gowazzu02]

IF and thats a big if with this franchise, but if they make the playoffs, this team was built for a 5-7 game bad weather series, Assuming they make the playoffs that means Paxton and Walker are what we hope they are, that starting staff is nasty. and deep, and headed by the king.

Things that scare me,

Short stop
Right field platoon
Dustin Ackley in Left

 

[gowazzu02]

Also I wouldn't write off the angels. If Richards can come back and be healthy they are a dangerous team. That offense is loaded.

 

[TheDayMan]

My expectations for the Mariners have become-'please just stay in the picture through the summer until football starts...' Last year was the first time that happened in a long time. So yeah, I'm feeling pretty good about this year.

To have relevant baseball a month into football season, I wouldn't know how to handle myself...

 

[BeaverShaver]

My thoughts on Seattle are the same this year as every other year..

Fuck em

Let's Go Oakland!!!!

 

[BeaverShaver]

But i would be a liar if i did not admit that they have the potential to do a lot of damage in the AL.

 

[gowazzu02]

My thoughts on Seattle are the same this year as every other year..

Fuck em

Let's Go Oakland!!!!

haha got me to legitimately lol! nicely done.

 

[WizardHawk]

IF and thats a big if with this franchise, but if they make the playoffs, this team was built for a 5-7 game bad weather series, Assuming they make the playoffs that means Paxton and Walker are what we hope they are, that starting staff is nasty. and deep, and headed by the king.

Things that scare me,

Short stop
Right field platoon
Dustin Ackley in Left

The problems I have with picking Seattle to do anything more than contend for the ALW is Paxton and Walker are both on hard inning counts and wouldn't be available for the playoffs. There is basically zero chance Walker does and only a slight more chance Paxton is available. Add that almost no one on the staff has playoff experience and some of the expected to be poor players and you have a lot more unknowns than reasons to be upbeat over the possibilities.

 

[gowazzu02]

have you heard that they actually have a innings cap for walker and paxton? Interested in hearing what it is.

Theres been talk that they will work in a modified 6 man rotation to give those guys rest. Expect to see Elias quite a bit this year.

 

[tducey]

I think they contend for a wild card, anything else would be gravy for them.

 

[WizardHawk]

have you heard that they actually have a innings cap for walker and paxton? Interested in hearing what it is.

Theres been talk that they will work in a modified 6 man rotation to give those guys rest. Expect to see Elias quite a bit this year.

In one of the interviews on KJR the other day they talked about them both being on hard inning counts. If I remember correctly it was 170 innings.

 

[Podunkparte]

I think they contend for a wild card, anything else would be gravy for them.

As a long time fan through seasons of some of the most inept baseball I've seen, this is my expectation this year. Last year was nice. They stayed in the hunt but ultimately didn't really have the guys to push through when it counted. This year, with Cruz as a legit DH, I think the M's are a Wild Card team and can win the West if a few things fall in their favor.

 

[GenJac]

I agree the Mariners look like the champions of the West this year. But I can't see why everyone is so high on the A's. On the entire starting lineup only the fragile Reddick had a slg % over .400. Speaking of fragile, he and Crisp will already miss significant time. They may have decent pitching but they will have minimal offense. The Angels are loaded with bats but have massive questions with pitching, not to mention the Hamilton issue.

 

[gowazzu02]

I agree the Mariners look like the champions of the West this year. But I can't see why everyone is so high on the A's. On the entire starting lineup only the fragile Reddick had a slg % over .400. Speaking of fragile, he and Crisp will already miss significant time. They may have decent pitching but they will have minimal offense. The Angels are loaded with bats but have massive questions with pitching, not to mention the Hamilton issue.

\
Im not seeing too many people being high on the A's..... but if they are its cause they've mcguyvered a contender out of casts offs, never haves and never will be's before. So they always have a shot I guess.

 

[navamind]

Offense looks to be about average, but that's a pretty big improvement over what the Mariners have gotten over the last ~7 years. Should be among the league's best in run prevention. I expect them to make the playoffs.