What Happened to the Seattle Mariners?

After an offseason that was highlighted by the hiring of a new GM, Jerry Dipoto, and a new manager, the Mariners have shown some signs of light in an organization that has had little to be excited about in recent years. Currently the #5 team on Sports Illustrated power rankings, they are really coming to light and starting to show some success early in the MLB season. Some may be wondering how they became the team they are today just in the matter of an offseason, and I'll be uncovering that in this article.

1. The bullpen: The Mariners starting pitchers have not collectively had a very strong season, with the exception of Tijuan Walker. Felix and Kuma aren't performing to the height of their abilities, and the newcomers to the rotation are not stepping up. The bright side of the Mariners pitching this season has undoubtedly been the bullpen. We have the #3 closer in the American league, Steve Cishek, who currently has 9 saves on the season. Additionally, their bullpen has had a generally low ERA throughout the season so far. Despite their mild struggles this past week, this bullpen still means business this season.
2. Taijuan Walker: Now a legitimate threat to King Felix in becoming the new king of the Mariners, Tijuan Walker has pitched his heart out this season. Currently sporting a 2.63 ERA, Taijaun is the real deal. He can get you with his fastball and, just like King Felix, his changeup is also killer. He has eclipsed and blossomed into a quality player who has a chance to even make it to the all star game if he keeps this play up. This is the player who the analysts were all hyped up about over the past three years. It's time for the rein of Taijuan.
3. The management: When the Mariners old GM, Manager, and CEO were in place, there was not a winning culture on the team. A squad with the misfortune of having the longest playoff drought in the MLB, the players were losing faith in the people who ran the organization. Then, the new management came into the front office. They have completely changed the organization from the top down. The M's were one of the most active teams in free agency this past off-season, and the results are starting to show. Wins are coming back to the Emerald City, and it looks like they are here to stay. Let's just hope that this management can break the playoff drought this season, or else I am not sure how secure their jobs will be this coming offseason.