Mariners notebook: Young looking forward to healthy offseason

This will be a very different offseason for Chris Young, the Sporting News American League Comeback Player of the Year. For the first time in years, he is healthy and rehab is not a part of the plan to get him ready for 2015.

“I feel like I am a little ahead of the game versus being behind the 8-ball as compared to years past, and I am super excited about that and I think it’s going to mean hopefully even better things for next year,” he said on a conference call following the award announcement Monday.

Young has already turned his focus to next year having recently begun workouts, although he is giving his arm a break for the first time since undergoing thoracic outlet syndrome surgery 15 months ago. In addition to the workouts, he has taken time – something he repeatedly said he would not do during the season – to look back at what he accomplished and how a year that started in uncertainty turned into one of the best of his career.

“When the Mariners called I felt like this is the perfect situation, the perfect fit and truly it played out even better than I could have imagined at the time,” he said. “I was hopeful I was on the cusp of having the good, successful season but in no way did I imagine that coming into a city, being embraced by a great group of guys and contributing to such a fun, fulfilling season. It was really one of the most gratifying, fulfilling experiences in my Major League career.”

Now the question is, what is next? Young is a free agent and as such, nothing is certain at this time.

“I have had good conversations with Jack (Zduriencik) and Lloyd (McClendon). We will see what happens,” he said. “If it is beneficial for both parties, I understand it is a business, I understand there is a lot of very good talent with the Mariners. I would love to be back. I love the people, I love the organization, the city, the ballpark, the fans. There’s nothing not to like. I would love to be a part of finishing off what we have started there, but that being said I understand it is a business, and it might not be in the best interest of the Mariners or vice versa.”

Young should have a much better market than in years past. It could be limited, however. Most likely not by his injury history – although a few clubs could still have questions – but more so by his pitching style. With his fly-ball rates he clearly is not a good fit for teams with smaller ballparks, so band boxes are most likely out. Any of the West Coast teams could be a good fit. The southern California teams in particular might be especially attractive to Young, a former Padre who lives in San Diego.

The Mariners will need to add at least one more starting pitcher. Rare is the team that makes it through the season using just five starters.

Then there is the innings issue. Despite McClendon meticulously managing the innings of his starters in 2014, he still came up short a starter at the end of the season. Next year with James Paxton and Taijuan Walker coming off injury-shortened seasons, their innings will need to be watched carefully, so the Mariners don’t need just another starter but an established one. It will be interesting to see how the market for Young develops and if the Mariners attempt to bring him back.

Notes

• Young wasn’t the only Mariner who picked up an award Monday morning. It was announced that the Mariner RBI club will present Michael Saunders with the Al “Moose” Clausen Community Service Award at the annual Toys for Kids fundraiser. The event will be held Nov. 15 at the Bellevue Hyatt Regency Grand Ballroom. Ticket information for this great event can be found here.

• The finalists for the rest of the major awards will be announced Nov. 4. Rookie of the Year will be awarded Nov. 10, Manager of the Year Nov. 11, Cy Young Nov. 12 and MVP Nov. 13.

• Programming notes: The first three World Series games can be heard on 710 ESPN Seattle on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday starting at 5 p.m. Game 4 will be broadcast on AM 770 KTTH Saturday at 5 p.m. The final three games, if necessary, will be back on 710 ESPN Seattle at 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26, Tuesday, Oct. 28 and Wednesday, Oct. 29.

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