3 Seattle Mariners Who Could Be with Different Clubs Next Season

The 2014 season was a success for the Seattle Mariners. The team improved by 16 wins, transforming a 71-win team into an 87-win team.

The 2014 season was also one of change. Seattle brought in a new manager, Lloyd McClendon, and a player, Robinson Cano, who immediately became the co-face of the franchise along with Felix Hernandez.

In addition to Cano, the team brought in a bevy of new players who paid dividends. Included in the group was American League Comeback Player of the Year Chris Young, who posted 12 wins and a 3.65 ERA in 30 starts.

In addition, the team brought in ace reliever Joe Beimel and closer Fernando Rodney to solidify its bullpen. Beimel posted a 2.20 ERA, while Rodney led the league with 48 saves. Lastly, first baseman Logan Morrison provided the team with an injection of offense. Morrison posted an OPS of .735 in 2014—higher than that of Ian Kinsler, Joe Mauer, Evan Longoria and Dustin Pedroia.

Despite those changes, the team just missed the playoffs. With a solid pitching staff already in place, the Mariners should look to improve their offense in 2015.

Seattle was reportedly interested in Hanley Ramirez and Victor Martinez but missed out on both. Either would have filled the need for a cleanup hitter.

If the M’s want to contend in 2015, they’ll need to improve their offense. If the offense improves, changes will be necessary thanks to last season’s woefully underperforming unit. Here are three Mariners who could be with different clubs next season.  

3. Brad Miller

USA TODAY Sports

Brad Miller withstood and ultimately outlasted competition from Nick Franklin at shortstop. At the same time, he still garnered at-bats when being outperformed by Chris Taylor. However, Miller’s luck could run out this offseason.

The shortstop has recently been linked, ESPN New York's Adam Rubin, with the New York Mets and could be used to sweeten any deal the M’s attempt to make involving a power bat like Justin Upton or Matt Kemp.

Miller’s potential expendability is twofold.

The first part of the equation is Taylor’s level of play. Taylor hit .287 in the majors after posting a torrid .328 clip in Triple-A. He has a career .320 batting average in the minors. These numbers were especially crucial for a Seattle team that finished below average in numerous offensive categories.

The second part of the equation has to do with Miller’s own play. He didn’t do himself any favors.

Miller showed potential as a power-hitting shortstop thanks to his 10 home runs in 2014 but struggled in many other aspects.

He posted a meager .221 batting average in 2014 and performed below average in the field.

Miller still has some upside, but he hasn’t figured it out yet. Nonetheless, Seattle needs a power bat. If the right trade comes along to acquire someone like Matt Kemp, the M’s shouldn’t balk at including Miller if it gets the deal done.

2. Michael Saunders

USA TODAY Sports

According to ESPN's Jerry Crasnick, the Mariners have reportedly already shopped Michael Saunders this offseason, and, per Crasnick, the Texas Rangers reportedly have interest. Regardless of whether Saunders ends up with the Rangers, he’ll likely be moved before 2015.

The M’s need another power bat to complete their lineup, and outside of designated hitter, the corner outfield spots are the only spots in the batting order that aren’t set in stone. Because of this, the team’s two corner outfielders in 2014, Dustin Ackley and Saunders, are both expandable.

Given the choice between the two, Seattle would likely pick Ackley.

Ackley is two years younger, can play multiple positions (especially valuable for a utility role) and still holds more long-term potential.

Saunders would be an ideal platoon option or fourth outfield type thanks to a .276 average against right-handed hitters. Any team in the market for that kind of a player could be in play for Saunders.

3. Taijuan Walker

USA TODAY Sports

While Brad Miller and Michael Saunders are both expendable, Taijuan Walker isn’t.

Walker has long been projected as a future ace and backed it up in his first 11 major league appearances, posting a 2.89 ERA and 46 strikeouts in 53 innings.

The only way Walker could end up with a different club is if he is moved in a trade for a power bat.

The M’s have been seemingly linked to every slugger on the free-agent market or via trade from Kemp to Upton to Yoenis Cespedes, as laid out by Fox Sports' Jon Morosi. A hitter of their ilk is exactly what the Mariners need to propel the team into the playoffs and beyond.

If a power hitter is the missing piece and the team can’t sign a free-agent slugger like Nelson Cruz, dealing Walker for a slugger should be a no-brainer.

All stats courtesy of http://www.Baseball-Reference.com/ unless otherwise noted.