Early storylines in the AL West are emerging, with Bob Nightengale and Steve Gardner breaking down the division favorites.
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Let’s start with the Seattle Mariners, the club that nearly made it to the first World Series in franchise history last season, falling just short in a seven-game classic American League Championship Series.
Let’s start with the Seattle Mariners, the club that nearly made it to the first World Series in franchise history last season, falling just short in a seven-game classic American League Championship Series.
The Mariners resigned Josh Naylor and are pretty much running things back from last year.
The Mariners resigned Josh Naylor and are pretty much running things back from last year.
Seems like a, a wise move to me.
Seems like a, a wise move to me.
How do you look at, what they have, what they’re going to try and accomplish this year?
How do you look at, what they have, what they’re going to try and accomplish this year?
Yeah, they certainly have the pitching staff.
Yeah, they certainly have the pitching staff.
I mean, that’s what wins, pennants, that’s what wins divisions, is having a star-studded rotation.
I mean, that’s what wins, pennants, that’s what wins divisions, is having a star-studded rotation.
They’ve had that for a few years.
They’ve had that for a few years.
Now they got some more offense.
Now they got some more offense.
You know, we’ll see if Naylor can do what he did last year.
You know, we’ll see if Naylor can do what he did last year.
You know, that might be a little bit of a reach, but he’s certainly a power bat.
You know, that might be a little bit of a reach, but he’s certainly a power bat.
you know, we’re not expecting to steal 30 bases again, like, surprise everybody, but a very fundamentally strong team and, I think they’re certainly the class of the division.
you know, we’re not expecting to steal 30 bases again, like, surprise everybody, but a very fundamentally strong team and, I think they’re certainly the class of the division.
Seemed like the Houston Astros had a standing reservation in the ALCS for several years, but they faded last season.
Seemed like the Houston Astros had a standing reservation in the ALCS for several years, but they faded last season.
Injuries limiting Yordan lvarez to just 48 games, that played a major role.
Injuries limiting Yordan lvarez to just 48 games, that played a major role.
They lost Framber Valdez to free agency.
They lost Framber Valdez to free agency.
Now, with all of that, can they overcome that and get back to where they once were?
Now, with all of that, can they overcome that and get back to where they once were?
Yeah, I think it’s gonna be a little tough for them to, you know, get back to certainly where they, where they were before.
Yeah, I think it’s gonna be a little tough for them to, you know, get back to certainly where they, where they were before.
I mean, Valdez was a, a, a big blow.
I mean, Valdez was a, a, a big blow.
it’s not like you replaced him.
it’s not like you replaced him.
They still have too many infielders with, you know, Isiah Kherras and Christian Walker.
They still have too many infielders with, you know, Isiah Kherras and Christian Walker.
They were trying to trade both of them during the winter.
They were trying to trade both of them during the winter.
They’re still around.
They’re still around.
So they need lvarez to play some in the outfield, Steve, so you can use Kherras at, at DH.
So they need lvarez to play some in the outfield, Steve, so you can use Kherras at, at DH.
I don’t think they have a chance of winning unless lvarez plays some in the outfield.
I don’t think they have a chance of winning unless lvarez plays some in the outfield.