The Future: Seattle Mariners players poised to break out

Is it finally their time? There is certainly plenty we don’t know about the future for the 2014 Seattle Mariners. Who will manage the team?  Will they really invest in any big names like Jacoby Ellsbury? Heck, who will own the team? Rather than continue to speculate on the “what ifs”, let us examine two position players we know will at least be on the roster come Spring Training. We’ll take a look at what they must do as contributors if the M’s are to see their first winning season in over a decade. Justin Smoak I believe I can be quoted last week as saying “it’s put up or shut up” time when it comes to the Mariners’ powerful switch-hitting first baseman, Justin Smoak.  The Freak from Goose Creek, S.C. came to the Mariners in 2010 when the teamdealt co-ace Cliff Lee to the Texas Rangers. Smoak is going to be eligible for salary arbitration this winter for the first time in his career.  Seattle has a pretty consistent history of not allowing its players to make ...