Seattle Mariners: Answering 3 “What-Ifs” for 2022
What if last season’s patchwork bullpen can’t repeat their 2021 performance?
First, a quick recap of last season.
Team management deserves some props for the 2021 relievers. Between Dipoto’s acquisition of talent (on the cheap), Servais’ use of that talent, and pitching coach Pete Woodworth’s development of it, last year’s relief staff was outstanding.
As a group, the bullpen’s numbers speak for themselves. Mariners relievers had a
- 3.88 ERA (eighth in MLB
- 51 saves (third),
- 1.22 WHIP (fifth),
- 100holds (fifth)
- 3.13 walks per 9 innings (third)
- 2.90 strikeout/walk ratio (fifth)
- 64 home runs allowed (fourth)
No one expected the outstanding performances Seattle got from retreads Drew Steckenrider, Paul Sewald, Casey Sadler, and JT Chargois. The staff is deep again in 2022. Steckenrider, Sewald, and Sadler are back. Although putting up the stats they did last season will be hard to repeat, but not impossible.
Even if those three can’t pitch as effectively in 2022, there is more in the cupboard. Between Erik Swanson, Diego Castillo, Anthony Misiewicz, Yohan Ramirez, Andres Munoz, and Ken Giles, two or three of them can produce to last season’s bullpen levels.
𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐑𝐒 𝐖𝐈𝐍!!!
Drew Steckenrider strikes out Aaron Judge for the save and the win! The @Mariners shutout the Yankees 2-0 in the series finale. #WHEREiROOT | #SeaUsRise pic.twitter.com/FWOmhPW1ie
— ROOT SPORTS™ | NW (@ROOTSPORTS_NW) August 8, 2021
Deeper starts
Then again, they may not have to; that’s the other part. The deeper Mariners’ starters can pitch into games; the less, Servais has to use his pen. Logan Gilbert‘s continued development and adding defending American League Cy Young winner Robbie Ray should translate to a lighter load for the relievers.
To answer the original question, the 2022 bullpen might not be as awesome as the 2021 version, but a fall from top five to top ten is acceptable. The starters should go deeper into games this season, and there are enough quality arms in the pen to be effective over fewer innings.
One other thing to consider, Dipoto isn’t done adding to the roster, so even more help could be on the way.
Related Story: Arms race to fill Mariners rotation
Do you have a Seattle Mariners “what if” for 2022? Ask us in the comments section below.