Seattle Mariners: Excitement, Downers and a limited Window of Opportunity
Joe Swenson
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What Could Kill the Excitement
Sadly, many things can kill the excitement of the 2021 season and give fans some anxiety. Here are a few of them:
The Pandemic
COVID-19. Political affiliations and stances aside, this is a major threat to sports, including baseball. It’s an undeniable fact. Earlier this week, the Cactus League requested to hold off spring training by a month. The delay would then cause the regular season to start late. That is, if a plan is approved by the MLBPA and the Commissioner’s Office.
The players union responds to Cactus League’s request for a spring training delay https://t.co/AdXL6WhZpI
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) January 25, 2021
Delaying the regular season in any capacity puts the Seattle Mariners rebuild time-table under a bit of stress. While COVID is an excellent excuse for the rebuild to fail. It would also shrink the window of opportunity for the M’s to realize success.
Additionally, the issue of minor league ball is still up in the air. There is only so long the league can put off player development.
Adding Free Agents That Block Development
Last-minute veterans added to the roster, unless it’s Trevor Bauer, or Kolten Wong, adding any veterans are a roadblock to the development of Seattle’s youth. At one point or another in the last decade, the Houston Astros were the youngest team in baseball, so was Atlanta. Last season it was the San Diego Padres.
This year, the Mariners could be the youngest team in baseball, three years removed from baseball’s oldest team. Seattle needs to gel, create a winning culture together, and find team-leaders from within. Searching for that on the open market goes against what is waiting in the seasons ahead.
Leftfield and second base are the Seattle Mariners biggest holes. At the same time, they also have youth ready to tackle and take over these positions. Any hole filled by an outside vet means advancement opportunity down on the farm at those positions slows down.