Sleepless in Seattle
For all the young talent the Seattle Mariners have its safe to say they have underachieved. King Felix did not look ready to watch the throne in 2015. He finished the season 18-9 with a 3.53 ERA, which was the worst ERA for Hernandez since the 2008 season. He also failed to reach 200 strikeouts for the first time in six years. Hernandez turns 30 this year and maybe perhaps the 10-year streak of 190 plus innings is catching up to him. While early reports out of spring training are positive and he’s on track to pitch the opener on April 4th, we won’t know for sure until the season is underway. The other cornerstone of the franchise Robinson Cano also has something to prove in 2016. While the $240-million-dollar man had a disappointing 2015 campaign, due primarily to a two-month slump at the plate the first half of the year and some bad base running. He bounced back in the second half, but it was not enough to save the season. According to Cano is was due to a double sports hernia for which he’s since undergone surgery to repair. In 2016 he will need to return to form to justify that $24-million-dollar salary.