Overhauled lineup headlines Mariners' spring stories

This story was excerpted from Daniel Kramer’s Mariners Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

PEORIA, Ariz. -- Roster battles have been mostly decided, more cuts are expected in the coming days and there’s a two-game exhibition at Petco Park in San Diego to clear everyone’s health before Opening Day.

But other than that, the Mariners have mostly put a bow on their Spring Training.

“Now it's more of meetings you have with your core guys that are going to be on the team,” manager Scott Servais said. “You don't have as many people around, as much noise, so you can kind of get to some of the things you want to focus on early in the season. So that's really what I'm looking to get out of here the last four or five days."

With that in mind -- and before looking ahead to Opening Day -- here’s a recap of Seattle’s spring:

Best development
The overhauled lineup has looked the part of what management had envisioned when subtracting many key (yet strikeout-prone) run producers, then reinvesting in others, such as designated hitter Mitch Garver, right fielder Mitch Haniger and second baseman Jorge Polanco.

Specifically, it’s been a more pointed effort of communication and messaging within pre- and in-game adjustments, credited by many to new offensive coordinator Brant Brown.

“In other words, basically having a really good process in the way of what we talk about, how we approach practice, and all those things,” Julio Rodríguez said. “I feel like that's what has been the separator into what we're doing right now.”

Entering Thursday’s game, the Mariners ranked near the top of the Majors in most offensive categories, with a .280 batting average (second), a .358 on-base percentage (tied for fourth), a .467 slugging percentage (second) and an .825 OPS (third), with 34 homers (sixth) and 160 runs scored (third). Yes, Spring Training results can be wildly inflated, but better to be at the top of these charts than the bottom.

Unfortunate events
Injuries to two of their highest-leverage relievers -- Matt Brash (right elbow inflammation) and Gregory Santos (right lat strain) -- early in camp loom large, given that both are arm-related and neither has progressed to where a return appears imminent.

“When you're talking about two just dominant bullpen arms that are not going to be with us on Opening Day, yeah, you are a little bit concerned there,” Servais said, “Who wouldn't be?”

The ripple effect will lead to more demands from Andrés Muñoz, who had hiccups closing last season, and free-agent addition Ryne Stanek, who didn’t arrive until March 10 and is still building up. The bullpen has been Seattle’s catalyst the past three seasons -- ranked fourth-best in wins above replacement in that span -- and it’ll again be vital to the club’s success in 2024.

Player who opened eyes
Many within the organization mentioned Dominic Canzone as one to watch upon arrival, and the lefty-hitting outfielder has lived up to that billing, crushing three homers and showing a more polished approach.

Canzone’s focus this offseason -- aside from adding 15 pounds of muscle -- was to clean up his mechanics, then to leverage those tweaks with a more harnessed approach. Known to be a free swinger throughout his Minors career, Canzone has been far more selective, which has led to more damage.

“Hitting the ball where it's pitched,” Canzone said, “so not just selling out to the pull-side homer was a big thing that I struggled with last year, and just doing damage in different ways.”

Wow moment
Haniger already appears to be in midseason form, with a team-leading four homers, superb timing and, above all, health. But it was his first Cactus League homer that remains arguably the Mariners’ most monumental this spring, sheerly from the ovation he received after returning in an offseason trade.

"I know it's just Spring Training, but it's cool to feel wanted," Haniger said. "I've always loved playing in Seattle, and it's always felt like home, so it's a cool feeling to be back."

In case you missed it
Gone are veterans Eugenio Suárez, Teoscar Hernández, Robbie Ray and Marco Gonzales, leaving the onus on leadership to players who just a few years ago were prospects. And the accountability that Rodríguez, Cal Raleigh and J.P. Crawford have preached has stood out.

Rodríguez tersely took ownership of inconsistencies that became glaring when the Mariners were struggling in 2023. Raleigh, who spoke out at the end of last season, was regularly a bridge between players and the front office throughout the offseason. And Crawford clamored his teammates for much more urgency in what they believe to be a World Series window.