THE CHEAP SEATS with STEVE CAMERON: Next step for M's: Figure out who's finishing the games

NOTE: This is our second look at what Major League Baseball’s free agent period — which opened after the World Series — means for the Mariners.

We looked at position players on Wednesday, so today it’s time for a peek at Seattle’s mysterious ability to turn average pitching prospects into guys who can get outs.

Other than the fact that almost everyone in the Mariner organization learns to throw a vicious two-seam fastball (pretty rare on an entire staff), it’s amazing how pitchers of various ages and abilities jump up in results once they’re in Seattle.

Let’s see who’s already in the picture for 2025 – you probably know most of their names – but also look at some prospects who are rising quickly.

LET’S SAY someone asks you for a look at the Seattle Mariners, an overall view of the club and whether or not there could be success coming in 2025.

You’d probably say that the Mariners lean on a terrific five-man pitching rotation, plus a solid bullpen — but the club doesn’t score enough runs to help turn that pitching staff (third-best ERA in the major leagues) into pennant winners.

You’d be mostly correct.

But not entirely.

The starters are lights-out, and among other positive traits, all five were relentlessly consistent in 2024.

For instance, Luis Castillo would be considered the ace, and yet his excellent 3.64 ERA was the highest in the rotation.

The Mariners had the luxury of rolling out Bryan Woo (2.89), Bryce Miller (2.94), Logan Gilbert (3.23) and George Kirby (3.53).

With starters like that, the next job obviously was to make sure the bullpen was tough and the offense could produce hits in close games — because Seattle was bound to play a lot of them.

The ‘pen seemed to be set on opening day, with the returning Matt Brash and Andres Munoz almost unhittable, and Gregory Santos coming over via trade with the White Sox.

Unfortunately, that plan did not stick.

Brash was ruled out, in need of Tommy John surgery, before throwing a pitch.

Santos missed most of the year rehabbing from another surgery.

The Mariners’ magical ability to produce excellent relievers was more than a luxury this time —as reinforcements like Collin Snider, Troy Taylor, JT Chargois were excellent in high-leverage situations, but Trent Thornton, Austin Voth and oft-injured Tayler Saucedo were inconsistent.

Bottom line: The bullpen will have to be rebuilt.

The good news is that’s a specialty of the organization.

No doubt there will be a platoon of relievers at spring training, and if recent history is any indicator, two or three newcomers will wind up with the club on opening day.

SO, WHAT about prospects already rising through the ranks?

It’s probably no surprise that the Mariners develop starters, and only a few of their homegrown pitchers wind up in the bullpen.

Yes, there are a few starters moving up — including one or two who could startle everyone by fighting for a big-league spot.

Obviously, it would take an injury to one of the Big Five (or possibly a trade) for a place to open up in the rotation.

But things happen and, sure, someone from the growing pack could wind up in the rotation —or making the transition to the bullpen.

The Mariners have been thrilled by the progress of Logan Evans and Michael Morales, plus surprising lefty Brandyn Garcia.

The most unique of all the youngsters has to be Jurrangelo Cijntje, a 2024 draftee from the Dutch island of Curacao.

If Cijntje reaches The Show, we’ll be talking history — because he pitches with both arms.

He’s a natural left-hander who started using his right arm to mimic his dad.

Meanwhile, he’s kept throwing from both sides, although his development has been difficult since he has two completely different motions and release points.

Most scouts believe Cijntje has a better chance to reach the big leagues as a righthander, but the Mariners have indicated they plan to let him pitch both ways until there’s a reason to change.

That ought to draw a few crowds at spring training in Arizona.

Fun question: What if they want to keep the lefty to pitch in Seattle — but send the righthander to Tacoma?

Might as well keep the conversations light until the Mariners staff needs some real, live outs.

With either arm.

Email: scameron@cdapress.com

Steve Cameron’s “Cheap Seats” columns appear in The Press four times each week, normally Tuesday through Friday unless, you know, stuff happens.

Steve suggests you take his opinions in the spirit of a Jimmy Buffett song: “Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On.”