#1 Seattle Mariners
The team with the longest postseason drought in baseball resides in Seattle. Since their magical 116 win season back in 2001, Seattle has had a hard time sniffing postseason contention. 2017 will be the year the drought ends. Headed by still one of the best in the game Felix Hernandez, and backed by Hisashi Iwakuma, James Paxton,Yovani Gallardo and newly acquired southpaw Drew Smyly, Seattle has built one of the stronger rotations in the American League.
From the division rival Angels to Seattle’s front office, general manager Jerry DiPoto wasted no time revitalizing the Mariners. through an abundance of trades and free agent signings, DiPoto has put together a team that is in dire need of postseason baseball. The 3-4-5 of Seattle’s lineup with Robinson Cano, Nelson Cruz, and Kyle Seager strikes fear in the heart of any opposing pitcher. Combine that with new speed merchants Jean Segura and Jarrod Dyson at the top of the M’s lineup, and you have a team that will put some crooked numbers up on any scoreboard.
Next: Bold Predictions for Upcoming Season
23 year old closer Edwin Diaz came up last season with the Mariners and struck out 88 batters in 51.2 innings of work. It is a small sample size, but you can argue he has already emerged himself as one of the top closers and filthiest pitchers in the game. This Seattle team has every possible piece of talent that it takes to win a division. Congratulations Seattle, brace yourselves for an exciting summer that will cultivate in you ending one of the more infamous streaks in baseball.