In the 15 months since the Mariners hired Jerry Dipoto as general manager, he has overseen such a thorough roster overhaul that second baseman Robinson Cano, third baseman Kyle Seager and catcher Mike Zunino are the only holdovers in the starting lineup.
Oh, and Zunino was sent back to the minors at the start of last season after Dipoto picked up veteran Chris Iannetta for a one-year stay to give Zunino time to refine his offensive skills.
Dipoto has completely remade a bullpen that doesn’t include any players who were in Seattle when he became the GM on Sept. 28, 2015. He has also added two members of the projected 2017 Opening Day roration, Ariel Miranda and Nathan Karns.
And he has been busy this winter looking to add a proven veteran starter.
Do not, however, call what the Mariners are going through a rebuild.
Dipoto doesn’t.
Lone Holdout
The Mariners haven’t been to the postsea son since 2001, a drought that is the longest in the big leagues. In that same stretch, the four other American League West clubs have combined to make 21 postseason appearances: seven by the Angels, six by the Athletics, five by the Rangers and three by the Astros.
Even though the Mariners could open the season with a lineup that includes rookies Mitch Haniger in right field, Dan Vogelbach at first base and Ben Gamel in left, Dipoto is looking to end that postseason drought in 2017.
“Our intention is to be a factor,” Dipoto said. “We aren’t getting younger if they are in the minor leagues.”
Denne historien er fra January 13 2017-utgaven av Baseball America.
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Denne historien er fra January 13 2017-utgaven av Baseball America.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Wood Has Towering Upside- Nationals rookie James Wood also stands 6-foot-7 and also has game-changing power.
Aaron Judge and Oneil Cruz are 6-foot7 sluggers who stand out for their power in this year’s MLB Best Tools voting. Wood spent half of this season with Triple-A Rochester before making his MLB debut on July 1. While he was in the International League, he captured managers’ attention. Wood unanimously won Best Power Prospect and also claimed Most Exciting Player in a survey of league skippers. Wood hit .353/.463/.595 with 10 home runs in 52 games for Rochester. His .242 isolated slugging was the best for a player 21 or younger at Triple-A this season.
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