Oakland Athletics: Offseason AL West Power Rankings

Rank #2: The Seattle Mariners

Sep 28, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; The Seattle Mariners celebrate after defeating the Los Angeles Angels at Safeco Field. Seattle defeated Los Angeles 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

The Mariners are at two because, despite just missing the playoffs last year, their 87-75 record was a vast improvement over the better part of the last decade. The Mariners had not had a winning season since 2009, and before that, the previous was in 2003. Last season, the Mariners proved to their division that they were not going away at the end of the season, with their starting pitching and improvements with the bat.

The Mariners added slugger Robinson Cano to their roster last offseason, through free agency. Cano hit .314, with 14 home runs, 82 RBI’s and .382 OBP. This move helped bolster their offense, coupled with a breakout year from Kyle Seager, who batted .265 with 25 home runs, 96 RBI’s and a .334 OBP.

Aug 18, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Seattle Mariners right fielder

(9) singles to center during the eighth inning of a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

The Mariners also had good contributions from Endy Chavez, Dustin Ackley, and another offseason pick-up form last year, Willie Bloomquist. This trio of players did not hit many home runs but were able to get on base consistently, and each hit over .240 throughout the season.

At the trade deadline, the Mariners picked up center fielder Austin Jackson, from the Detroit Tigers, who hit .256 with four home runs, 47 RBI’s and a .308 OBP. However, those were his overall stats. With Seattle, he hit a mere .229 and had a .260 OBP in 54 games with the Mariners. The team believes that Jackson will rebound in 2015 and be a key player for them.

Oct 2, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles designated hitter

(23) celebrates after hitting a two run home run during the first inning in game one of the 2014 American League divisional series against the Detroit Tigers at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

With the acquisition of Cruz this offseason, Seattle’s lineup will be brought up another notch. Now Seattle has three power bats in Cruz, Cano and Seager. These bats are what compliment hitters like Chavez, Ackley and Bloomquist. Not only did they get Cruz, they also got Seth Smith, who batted .266 with 12 home runs, 48 RBI’s and a .367 OBP last year with the San Diego Padres.

It’s not just the new and enriched offensive prowess that makes Seattle good, it’s their starting pitching. Who could ask for a better rotation the Felix Hernandez, Chris Young, Hisashi Iwakuma, J.A. Happ, and James Paxton?

Hernandez has been dominant from the get-go, posting eight 12-plus win seasons in his 10-year career with Seattle. Hernandez has also won a Cy Young award in 2010, along with five All-Star appearances. Last season, “King Felix” recorded an impressive 0.92 WHIP to go with his 2.14 ERA and 15-6 record.

Aug 19, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Seattle Mariners starting pitcher

(18) pitches during the first inning of a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Once past Hernandez, it doesn’t get any easier with Iwakuma, who also won 15 games last season. He has proven over his last two seasons that he can deal night-in and night-out. Although he struggled a bit in comparison to his 2013 breakout season, he still was able to pitch well enough to have 1.05 WHIP and 3.52 ERA.

After that one-two punch of Hernandez and Iwakuma, there is Young, Happ and Paxton. All three of these pitchers did not have the numbers to show how they helped their team, but will bring veteran experience to a young team (with the exception of Paxton).

It may be one thing to look good on paper, but the Mariners proved last year that they were as good on the field as they were on paper. Therefore, with the new additions this offseason, Seattle will continue to grow and become a better team. Maybe they can give the Angels a run for their money at the division title.

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