Elite Seattle Mariners rotation takes significant hit amid team’s spring training drama
The Seattle Mariners are navigating choppy waters this spring, dealing with both public criticism from a former player and now a significant injury to a rotation cornerstone.
Justin Turner, whom the Mariners acquired from the Toronto Blue Jays at last year’s trade deadline, ripped the franchise for not adding an impact slugger during a free agency period that featured Juan Soto, Pete Alonso, Teoscar Hernandez, Anthony Santander, and Alex Bregman.
“The fact that they missed the playoffs by one game, and didn’t go out and add an impact bat or two when you have the best pitching staff in baseball, just seems absurd to me,” Turner told USA Today’s Bob Nightengale.
Turner wanted to stay in Seattle but wasn’t offered a contract. Instead, he signed a one-year, $6 million deal with the Chicago Cubs.
“Honestly, as much as I wanted to be back there, if I was the only piece they brought back in, I would be saying the same thing: What the hell are we doing? Are you trying?” Turner added. “There’s not going to be a better time to go for it. So, I don’t know what they’re doing. I’m very confused. It’s a head-scratcher for me.”
Turner’s frustration stems from a glaring offensive deficiency. Seattle’s lineup finished 29th in batting average (.224), 22nd in OPS (.687), 21st in runs scored (676), and first in strikeouts (1,625) last season. This anemic offense stands in stark contrast to one of baseball’s best rotations featuring Logan Gilbert, George Kirby, Luis Castillo, Bryce Miller, and Bryan Woo.
Now, that pitching advantage has taken a significant hit.
