Robinson Cano got his money, but the M’s were more than just one piece away from contention. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
4. Seattle Mariners
Last year:71-91, fourth place
Projected finish:Fourth place
What’s New:INFWillie Bloomquist(Arizona), 2B Robinson Cano (N.Y. Yankees), 1B Corey Hart (Milwaukee), OFLogan Morrison(Miami), RHP Fernando Rodney (Tampa Bay).
Who’s Gone:OFRaul Ibanez(L.A. Angels), DHKendrys Morales(still unsigned). LHPJoe Saunders(Texas).
Who’s Down:RHPTaijuan Walker(15-day DL, right shoulder impingement), RHPStephen Pryor(15-day DL, recovering from shoulder surgery), RHPHisashi Iwakuma(15-day DL, sprained tendon in right middle finger).
Outlook:Look at it this way—it might be the first time in MLB history that a team starts a season without its No. 2 starter because of an injured bird-flipper. The Mariners will be better than a 91-loss team in 2014, but this team wasn’t just one piece away from being contenders. Robinson Cano is a huge presence in the middle of the order. ButJustin Smoakhas never shown he can hit consistently,Abraham Almonteis being asked to make the leap in center field and they just broughtChris Youngin off the street—two years removed from his last start—to fill a rotation spot.
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