The Seattle Mariners experienced a disappointing 2024 season, finishing just shy of a wild-card spot with an 85-win record. This marks their second consecutive year missing the postseason after ending a two-decade drought in 2022. The offseason has yielded minimal improvements, with the signings of Donovan Solano and Jorge Polanco, raising questions about the team's commitment to winning.

Despite rumors of pursuing significant moves, including a potential blockbuster trade involving Luis Castillo and bringing Justin Turner back, the Mariners have been passive. Turner expressed confusion over the lack of action from the front office, questioning why the team hasn’t added more impactful players when they possess one of the strongest pitching rotations in the league. As the Mariners prepare for the upcoming season, the uncertainty surrounding their strategy raises concerns about their ability to compete in a tough AL landscape.

With spring training in full swing, the battle for starting positions across MLB is heating up, particularly in the AL West. The Houston Astros are reconsidering Jose Altuve's role, with potential shifts to left field following Alex Bregman's departure, raising fantasy stakes for second base options like Mauricio Dubon and Brendan Rodgers.

In Los Angeles, the Angels face uncertainty at shortstop with Zach Neto sidelined, placing Luis Rengifo in a favorable position for daily at-bats. Meanwhile, the Athletics are looking to Seth Brown for left field duties amidst a crowded roster, and the Mariners' Mitch Garver and Mitch Haniger aim to rebound from poor seasons as they vie for designated hitter spots. The Rangers, on the other hand, are eager to see how Evan Carter performs in center field, especially with Adolis Garcia's injury.

In the pursuit of top-tier pitching talent for fantasy baseball, analyzing walk and ground-ball rates can unveil hidden gems. Bryan Woo of the Seattle Mariners made significant strides in his control, reducing his walk rate to an impressive 2.8%, while Jack Flaherty revitalized his career with the Detroit Tigers, showcasing a 5.9% walk rate in a bounce-back season. Jake Irvin, pitching for the Washington Nationals, improved his zone command, though he still battles hard contact issues. Nick Pivetta's transition to the San Diego Padres includes a notable drop in walk rate, though concerns about home runs linger.

Ground-ball specialists also emerged, with Brandon Pfaadt of the Arizona Diamondbacks enhancing his ground-ball rate significantly, thanks in part to a revamped pitch mix. Detroit's Reese Olson and Chris Sale of the Atlanta Braves have also shown improvements, with Sale looking to reclaim his Cy Young form despite injury concerns. Ryan Weathers, another noteworthy mention, has made strides in both walk and ground-ball rates, making him a potential sleeper for fantasy drafts.