2018 Spring Previews: Starting Rotation
The following position preview was originally posted on Booth, Justice, and the American Pastime and is the fifth installment of a multi-part series looking at the Rainiers possible 2018 Opening Day roster.---We continue our positional preview series by looking at potential 2018 Tacoma Rainiers starting pitchers.Starting pitching is an area that the
The following position preview was originally posted on Booth, Justice, and the American Pastime and is the fifth installment of a multi-part series looking at the Rainiers possible 2018 Opening Day roster.
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We continue our positional preview series by looking at potential 2018 Tacoma Rainiers starting pitchers.
Starting pitching is an area that the national media (and much of the fan base) sees as a weakness for the Seattle Mariners, but general manager Jerry Dipoto insists that he is happy with the big league rotation options.
At the Triple-A level, Dipoto has gathered a large group of arms to battle for spots in the Rainiers starting rotation.
The major league starting rotation appears to be
Both Miranda and Moore have minor league options remaining and can be freely sent to Triple-A. Miranda has some added flexibility, with experience as a middle reliever - if he doesn't make the M's rotation, they might slide him into the major league bullpen as the long man.
From where I sit before spring training has really gotten under way, it appears that Moore is likely to be in Tacoma's rotation at the start of the season.
Several other potential Rainiers starting pitchers are also hoping to make some noise in major league spring training.
The M's are recommitting to
Strike thrower
Former reliever
Minor league veteran
A few other names are in the mix.
Finally, there is
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Outside of the starting rotation, we have a new player in the mix. The Mariners signed veteran outfielder
A former major leaguer with the Cubs and Orioles, Lake played in the Mexican League last year. I was surprised to see he is only 27 years old; his solid rookie campaign with the Cubs was back in 2013.
With the glut of Triple-A outfielders in camp (scroll down a couple posts for the outfield preview), it feels like Lake would have to show some ability to help in the majors this year in order to get an assignment to Tacoma at the end of spring camp.
The team also signed left-handed pitcher
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You have probably heard that new Mariners first baseman
If the recovery schedule holds, Healy should be ready to come back right when the season starts. If he's on the longer end of the recovery period, Healy could have a few rehabilitation games with the Rainiers at the start of the season.
The injury paves an opening for
Links:
- Big news in the PCL: Las Vegas will break ground on the construction of its new ballpark next Friday.
- Pitchers and catchers reported to spring training, and so did newspaper writers. Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times went straight to Felix Hernandez's locker for the State of the King Address.
- Here's the story on Ryon Healy's injury.
- Divish has everything you need to know about potential Rainiers outfielder Junior Lake.
- John McGrath wrote about Matt Festa and the hope of prospects.
- Former Rainiers infielder
Nick Franklin signed a minor league deal with the Brewers. Tim Lincecum had a showcase in Kent and 17 teams scouted him, including the Mariners.- In one of the most fun baseball stories I have seen, Sam Miller asks the question: if you had the chance to play in one major league game, would you play?