Plans are worthless...

HVH staff discussing what lies ahead for the 2026 season.

By Stevil, 11 March, 2026

Spring training brings out the hyperbolism in even the most rational fans. HR, ERA, and BA are a few stats that get overblown in both directions. Pitchers tend to get the worst of it as they throw the same pitches repeatedly without concern of contact. Process is always more important than results, and no matter how many times this is repeated, there are always people who will dismiss rationale and run with their hot takes. This year has been no exception. There is a plan in place, though, even if there are a few loose ends. 

Speaking of plans, nothing went according to plan last year. The plan as intended was worthless. But rather than rehash everything that happened (again), I think it's better to look at where the team is right now. 

The regular outfield hasn't changed, but upgrades at third and first, as well as DH, make the position side of things a lot more promising than they were just a year ago. Nobody should think that Brennen Davis is going to make the team. They're already overflowing with fielders on the 40. Something will have to give. 

The rotation, barring injury, should remain the same as intended, hopefully healthier. The bullpen will feature at least two new names and possibly three, but the depth is much better and that was perhaps the biggest weakness of the team last year. Let me remind everyone that Seattle relied heavily on four relievers in the postseason. They needed six or seven. That doesn't mean there aren't concerns now, but it is arguable better if healthy. It's just weird that they would plan for a competition for not one, but two spots, on the active roster.

Yes, plans are indeed worthless...sometimes (often), but planning is everything. Though I have reservations with second base and their infield depth, and I'm not thrilled about their starter depth, there's at least some comfort in the reliever depth and they appear to have six solid relievers to start with. That's two more than they ended with last season and the pitching worried me more than the hitting. The pitching still worries me more than the hitting. That said, being better, or having more, doesn't equal satisfaction or imply that there's enough. How many times have we heard the phrase "You can never have  enough pitching"? Well, that's true, and it's especially true when there's a lack of ready-now starters and a pair of question marks in the bullpen. 

The final roster is mostly set, which I'm assuming will include Cole Young. I'm not anticipating any surprises, even though nobody is dominating the bullpen competition for the final spot. In other words, no significant trades are expected, though it wouldn't be surprising to see Mastrobuoni moved for a lower-level reliever prospect if he isn't designated for assignment. It's harder to move players at the end of spring when everyone is trimming their rosters. The likeliness of players getting claimed is lower as well, but it would be surprising if Mastrobuoni were to pass through waivers. 

Locals were challenged to be more creative with inquiries than just questions centered around spring results and the projected roster. The WBC is proving to be distracting and I'm okay with that, but there hasn't been much Mariner-specific talk lately because of it. So, I'm going to do things a little differently this time, laying out points of, and for, discussion that have briefly come up and some that I'm anticipating.  

1. Hancock is a starter, not a reliever. When the starter depth improves, that may change, but he's a starter for now. It was a different situation last year. That decision was made before they lost Evans for the year, so that should be telling. 

2. Crawford's shoulder issue is something to monitor. It's been downplayed this spring, but he's coming off a down year defensively. Any soreness isn't going to help. The same goes for Brash. Both players are returning to action as I write this, which is obviously good.

3. They have plenty of relievers with options. Losing relievers on minor-league deals, or someone without options, just isn't a big deal. There's a good chance they'll sign someone who gets the squeeze with another organization to a minor-league deal. 

4. It's possible Colt Emerson will be needed at short. It's also possible he'll be needed at third or second. I would expect to see him play mostly short and third in Tacoma, but that could change by May, depending on how Young looks. This is just me speculating, of course, but the point is they could use him anywhere in the infield.

5. I don't think Seattle will likely move a starting pitcher at the deadline, regardless of how ready Sloan or Anderson appear to be. If anything were to happen to a starter in August or September, they could be in real trouble. But it's too early to be talking about deadline possibilities. 

6. I don't know anything about the non-MLB players or foreign prospects in the WBC. None of them are on our target list. But it will be fun to see if any of them eventually do end up on our list.

7. Miller is the starter that concerns me the most. This is pure speculation on my part, but I would guess the team preferred to see him get the surgery to remove the bone spur/spurs. I have a hard time understanding why he chose to not have the surgery, since he would have likely been ready for opening day. Scared of a setback?