BROCK AND SALK

M’s could compete with AL West big guns

Mar 20, 2013, 12:14 PM | Updated: Mar 21, 2013, 8:19 am

kendrys
Kendrys Morales, shown here batting in a spring training game, is one of the reasons the Mariners could compete with the AL West’s three other top teams this season. (AP)

By Brent Stecker

The prevailing feeling about the AL West is that the loaded Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, the proven Texas Rangers and the improving Oakland Athletics are the only contenders to win the division. But as ESPN baseball analyst Jayson Stark told Brock Huard and Chris Egan on 710 ESPN Seattle Wednesday, the Seattle Mariners will have a shot because of weaknesses in those teams.

The Angels, a World Series front-runner, may boast superstar sluggers Albert Pujols, Josh Hamilton and Mike Trout, but that hasn’t translated in spring training.

“All these teams have issues,” Stark said. “The Angels have me confused […] My scout friends who have watched them on the field this spring don’t like what they see. They don’t like the pitching, and the rotation looks like it may have taken a big step back. Albert Pujols has not looked good — he hasn’t been able to run or move, and he finally got on the field for the first time I think yesterday. Josh Hamilton has looked different. I don’t know what to think of them right now.

“If you’re just going to look at the Angels and the way they played this spring, it would talk you out of picking them to win the World Series. I know it’s caused me to think about it.”

Pitching is also a sore spot for the Rangers.

“We’re used to the Rangers being the deepest team in the American League,” Stark said. “You wouldn’t think that an injury to somebody like Martin Perez could throw the Rangers into disarray, but they’re looking hard for another starting pitcher. They don’t think they’ve got enough starting pitching.”
As for the youthful Athletics, who surprised the MLB by winning the West with a 94-68 record last season, Stark is unsure Oakland can sustain its success.

“Oakland, you really do have to buy into what you saw last year as being real,” he said. “But is that really what Josh Reddick is? There’s a lot of guys on that roster, the Brandon Mosses of the world, who did things (last season) that they hadn’t done before […] On the other hand they really do have a lot of depth and versatility over that roster, and a lot of arms.

“I think it’s probably a division that’s going to be decided by health.”

As for the Mariners, Stark doesn’t put too much stock in their Cactus League-leading home run total, but does believe they can be a dark horse in the division race.

“I do like the look of the Mariners, I really do,” he said. “I think Michael Morse in his free-agent year is a good gamble, I think Kendrys Morales in a free-agent year is a good sign. I don’t mind taking a chance on guys like Jason Bay. There’s a lot of pitching and more to come.

“The good news is I know they’re not gonna finish last because the Astros are going to lose like 110, maybe more, and you get to play them 19 times. The bad news is you’ve got three other teams in the AL West in Oakland, the Angels and Texas that can win in the 90s.”

Brock and Salk podcast

Mariners Roof Report

Brought to you by
Rain then Showers And Thunderstorms
High 54° | Low 41°
Roof is open
Red Sox at Mariners today at 7:10pm

Brock and Salk

Seattle Mariners Mitch Haniger...

Mike Salk

Salk: Scars remain as Mariners return, but hope isn’t far away

As the Seattle Mariners return for 2024, Seattle Sports' Mike Salk writes about seasons, scars, frustration, hope and baseball.

13 hours ago

Seattle Seahawks NFL Draft Payton Wilson...

Brandon Gustafson

Brock’s Seahawks Draft Profile: ‘Twitched up’ LB fills a need

Next up in Brock Huard's Seattle Seahawks draft profiles is a very intriguing defender in North Carolina State linebacker Payton Wilson.

17 hours ago

Seattle Seahawks Sam Howell...

Brandon Gustafson

New Seahawks QB Sam Howell describes trade, his role and more

The Seattle Seahawks have a new QB in Sam Howell, and he joined Brock & Salk on Wednesday to describe the trade that sent him to the Hawks.

19 hours ago

...

Seattle Sports Video

Video: Getting to know new Seattle Seahawks QB Sam Howell

What do Seattle Seahawks fans need to know about new QB Sam Howell? What will he bring to the QB room and competition this season? He joined the Brock and Salk show toady to talk about what type of QB the Seahawks are getting. Can he be a piece that helps this team get back […]

20 hours ago

...

Seattle Sports Video

Video: Brock Huard’s NFL Draft Profile: Payton Wilson, LB – NC State

Today on Brock and Salk, Brock Huard looked at a potential fit for the Seattle Seahawks in the upcoming NFL Draft. Why does Brock think NC State LB Payton Wilson might be a defensive fit for the Seahawks? What else could he bring to the defense other than LB depth? Watch his breakdown of him […]

21 hours ago

Seattle Mariners Julio Rodriguez...

Brandon Gustafson

Passan: Mariners’ Rodríguez can take game to another level in 2024

The 2024 MLB season can be when we see "the absolute apex" of star Seattle Mariners outfielder Julio Rodríguez, ESPN's Jeff Passan said.

23 hours ago

M’s could compete with AL West big guns