PEORIA, Ariz. -- To borrow one of J.P. Crawford’s most consistent catch phrases, it was “good vibes only.”

Seattle’s shortstop was all smiles on Saturday, as were the other roughly two dozen Mariners who reported for an optional workout at the club’s Spring Training facility, two days ahead of the first full squad workout. 

Perry Hill barked at the group of infielders he’s so sorely missed. Ty France signed autographs for every kid who sought one. Mitch Haniger discussed swing mechanics with teammates amid a round of BP. Evan White unleashed homer after homer with his fully recovered, surgically repaired hip. Jarred Kelenic dished a few wisecracks. There was “best shape of his life” commentary. Hugs and handshakes went around among those who haven’t seen each other in months.

Maybe it was the return of fans to the back fields for the first time in two years. Or the end of an anxious lockout. Or the promise of coming off a 90-win season with sights squarely set on the postseason. Or a combination of it all that made Saturday’s start to Spring Training feel more significant than in recent memory.

“It feels like home,” Crawford said. “ It really does. It feels like we're back to normal. It feels like everyone's more happy to be back here then ever.”

More players continue to trickle into Arizona, but many of those in attendance on Saturday have been here for some time. White, who lives in the Phoenix area in the offseason, had organized an ongoing powwow at the private facility he’s been training at in Glendale, where Crawford, Haniger, France, Donovan Walton and others had joined. Kelenic has been in Arizona for three weeks. Haniger had also worked out at the facility in Mesa overseen by the MLB Players Association during the lockout.

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But each of them, and more, arrived in Peoria bright and early as soon as they were allowed on Friday.

“I think there was a lot of excitement around Seattle, and that's what was kind of unfortunate with the lockout,” Haniger said. “At least for now, everyone's going to be starved and ready to go for baseball. But that was probably tough for a lot of fans not being able to see updates on players and see where guys are signing. But now we'll just cram it in the next couple of days or weeks.”

Haniger has been keenly watching the transactional activity that Mariners president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto has ignited this offseason. Seattle’s veteran outfielder, perhaps the leader of its position players following Kyle Seager’s retirement, penned an open letter to fans via The Players’ Tribune last October urging the front office to add impact talent. Dipoto then acquired All-Star infielder Adam Frazier and reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Robbie Ray, with intent to keep adding before Opening Day.

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“I’m fired up,” Haniger said. “That's what we want. I think every year, the goal is to show up to Spring Training and prepare to win the World Series. And I think it fires me up knowing it's a little more realistic than years past going in. You never say never, but when everyone kind of goes out there and does their job and brings in guys that can really put us over the top, for me, that's the hope for the next week and we should be in a great position.”

And it was at this time last year that Crawford firmly projected that the Mariners were going to exceed expectations.

“Everyone feels like we’ve got a chance, just like last year,” Crawford said. “This year, I think we have the pieces to go out there and compete even better. And I think if everyone stays healthy, we're going to have a good shot. Don’t count us out, just like always.”