The Seattle Mariners may look at a trade for Justin Upton, Andre Ethier, Dayan Viciedo or Seth Smith to fill their outfield needs and this comes after they signed Nelson Cruz as a free agent and made a trade for JA Happ to join Robinson Cano, Felix Hernandez, Kyle Seager and Hisashi Iwakuma in 2015 and general manager Jack Zduriencik things the team can make a playoffs run through the AL West.
The Mariners came up one game short last season in the wild card race, finishing behind the Oakland Athletics and the Kansas City Royals and now they may have an opening in the AL. The Athletics have traded away Josh Donaldson and Jeff Samardzija, while the Angels may not have Garrett Richards back to start the season and they also traded Howie Kendrick. The Mariners signed Cruz to a four year deal to add some power to the lineup and they are also hoping that Happ can add another veteran arm to the rotation.
The Mariners signed Kyle Seager to a $100 million extension over seven years and now they have one of the best third baseman in the AL locked up. Seager gives the team stability at a tough position and with Robinson Cano also signed for the next stretch of the decade, the Mariners see now as the time to try and win. Cano and Felix Hernandez will continue to get older each year and that makes this little window the best opportunity for the Mariners to try and contend.
The M's have not been to the playoffs in a decade and after spending millions on players over the past couple years, they should be a contender in the American League. Cruz belted 40 home runs for the Orioles and will add a right handed bat to the lineup and that is exactly what the Mariners need. Last season the team was ranked 18th in runs and while that was an improvement, they need to increase their scoring for a better chance at making the playoffs.
The Mariners finished 12 games over .500 with 87 wins and now they have Robinson Cano coming into year two after hitting over .300 and leading the team in runs. Hernandez is coming off of one of the best seasons in recent memory for any pitcher, while seager had a career year while making his first All-Star game and winning his first Gold Glove. The Mariners had four All-Star players this season and now they have added another one in Cruz.
Happ is a lower level move, but he will give the team some stability in the rotation as a third or fourth starter. The team has Hernandez and Iwakuma as the top two starters and now Happ joins a group that will likely include two of James Paxton, Taijuan Walker and Erasmo Ramirez with Danny Hultzen likely getting some limited work after shoulder surgery. The Mariners bullpen pitched at historic levels last season and they bring back Fernando Rodney along with Brandon Maurer, Carson Smith and Danny Farquhar.
The Mariners absolutely have the chance to make the playoffs this season and if they add one more bat, they will put their chances even higher. The A's may take a step back and with the Rangers and Astros rebuilding, the Mariners have a window.