Inside the Mariners opening-day roster

STARTING PITCHERS

 

The skinny: This could be a formidable unit if injury concerns to Hernandez and Iwakuma prove unfounded. If healthy, they are a potent 1-2 punch. Miley is a fast-working lefty workhorse who should save the bullpen and keep the Mariners in games. Walker took a big step over the closing month last season toward validating the belief that he possesses No. 1 potential. Karns is a bulldog type with strikeout stuff and upside potential. The group was good enough that lefty James Paxton is starting the season at Triple-A Tacoma.

RELIEF PITCHERS

 

The skinny: A year ago, the Mariners entered the season with a relief corps virtually unchanged from a unit that led the majors with a 2.59 ERA. It was seen as one of the club’s chief strengths. So what happened? Pretty much everyone regressed. The Mariners bullpen finished with a 4.15 ERA, which ranked 25th among the 30 teams. And it was the bullpen, more than any other factor, that derailed a season of high expectations. General manager Jerry Dipoto promised a complete overhaul and, boy, did he deliver. None of the seven relievers began last season in the Mariners bullpen. Whether the replacements actually represent an improvement is yet to be determined.

CATCHERS

 

The skinny: Here, too, are new faces. The Mariners signed Iannetta, a 10-year veteran who is well-known to Dipoto and manager Scott Servais after playing the last four years with the Angels. Iannetta had the worst season of his career last year and still represents an offensive upgrade over former starter Mike Zunino. Clevenger is the backup and came in the December deal that sent Mark Trumbo to Baltimore. Clevenger offers the contrast of a left-handed bat and has been better defensively than expected.

INFIELDERS

 

The skinny: A healthy Cano in top form elevates this unit. He’s the key. At his best, Cano is still one of the game’s premier players. Seager’s challenge is to take the next step and move from perennial All-Star candidate to perennial All-Star. Lind should provide regular thump at first and solid on-base skills. Marte is viewed by Cano and others as having All-Star potential. If he plays to that level — a big if — this could be one of the game’s top infields. Sardinas’ bat remains suspect, but he’s a smooth glove at any position, including first. Lee didn’t show much in spring games, but the Mariners are betting he can handle left-handed pitching. We’ll see.

OUTFIELDERS

 

The skinny: Dipoto promised that the Mariners would become more athletic in the outfield, and then signed Aoki in the free-agent market and acquired Martin through a trade with Texas. Aoki is the left fielder and has been remarkably consistent in four years since arriving from Japan. Opinions vary on whether Martin can be a productive hitter, but he is among the game’s top defensive center fielders. Smith and Gutierrez provide a potent right-field platoon tandem, while Cruz hit a career-high 44 homers last year while batting .302. That silenced those who believed his power wouldn’t play in spacious Safeco Field.

Bob Dutton: @TNT_Mariners

This story was originally published April 3, 2016 at 8:00 AM with the headline "Inside the Mariners opening-day roster."