No. 20 White Sox | No. 18 Rays | Nos. 20-11
No. 19: SEATTLE MARINERS
Last Season: 76-86
Projected record: 82-80 (second in AL West)
BBTN video preview: AL West | Betting guide
New general manager Jerry Dipoto should have been paid time and a half for the countless moves he made over the winter, many of which were good ones. He gave up on some failed prospects while working to improve the outfield defense, the bullpen and offense at first base and catcher. His moves could help, but this is still a team that has many question marks. Is the bullpen really going to be better? Can Robinson Cano rebound from one his most disappointing seasons? And are the Mariners ever going to start scoring enough runs to be a true contender?.
One of the biggest reasons for the Mariners' recent struggles has been their lack of success in the draft, including taking catcher Mike Zunino No. 3 overall in 2012. -- ESPN.com (graphic from Dan Szymborski)
If everyone stays healthy -- a big if -- the starting rotation, including Felix Hernandez, Hisashi Iwakuma, Wade Miley, Taijuan Walker and James Paxton, could be among the league's best. After a terrible first two months of 2015, Cano was back in top form in the second half. Leonys Martin has the defense the team has been lacking in center field. Adam Lind should provide production at first base, while Nelson Cruz can be counted on for power. And the bullpen can't be as bad as last year, can it?
There are just too many questions after yet another losing season. King Felix turns 30 in April and Iwakuma turns 35 days later (and his innings have already been declining). Paxton hasn't been able to stay healthy. The bullpen was among the game's worst last year. Scott Servais, Seattle's ninth manager since 2002, has never managed or even coached in the big leagues and could have a learning curve. Plus, they are the Mariners, who have gone longer than any other MLB team without reaching the postseason (15 years) and have never been to the World Series. Don't expect that to change in 2016.
No. 18 Rays | No. 20 White Sox | Nos. 20-11
