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3 moves Mariners should make to end MLB's longest playoff drought

Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

In 2001, no team was able to keep up with the powerhouse Seattle Mariners.

On top of being graced by ageless wonders Edgar Martinez and Jamie Moyer, the club added international star Ichiro in the offseason, and reunited with Gold Glove second baseman Bret Boone. Times were good.

Since that 116-win year, there's been many sleepless nights in Seattle. Despite entering 2017 with high hopes, the Mariners' postseason drought reached 16 straight seasons following Sunday's 4-2 defeat to the Cleveland Indians.

Now that it's proven to be yet another lost campaign, it leaves the Mariners with more questions than answers. In an attempt to break baseball's longest October-less streak, here are three moves the club could make to get the monkey off its back.

Power to you

General manager Jerry Dipoto's decision to trade for as many players as he could didn't go according to plan, but the Mariners demise had little to do with a lack of offense.

Regulars Nelson Cruz, Robinson Cano, and Kyle Seager have been good, while newcomer Jean Segura and rookie Mitch Haniger were valuable, too. In fact, Mariners hitters enter Monday combining for 101 wRC+, ninth best in baseball and ahead of postseason teams like the Nationals, Diamondbacks, and Red Sox.

Despite 62 home runs courtesy of Cruz (37) and Seager (25), the Mariners lack pop in the lineup. Mike Zunino provides some at catcher, but strikeouts are an issue. Cano's power numbers dipped, too, after he hit 39 home runs in 2016.

That's where Dipoto should focus this offseason. Yonder Alonso has failed to duplicate his first half numbers in Oakland, so replacing him with either Lucas Duda or Mitch Moreland - two players linked to Seattle - makes sense. Outfielder Jay Bruce (34 home runs this season) would slot in nicely at either corner outfield spot, as well.

Shohei's saying there's a chance?

Ichiro, Kazuhiro Sasaki, Munenori Kawasaki, Nori Aoki, and Hisashi Iwakuma. Could Shohei Otani be next?

The Mariners' history of dipping into the international market for Japanese-born players is extensive. Otani, regarded as the next big thing, should be highlighted atop every GM's wish list, let alone Dipoto's.

With news of the dual threat's interest in coming to MLB for 2018, there will be no shortage of suitors. The Mariners, though, should do their best to convince Otani to join the organization, especially since money won't be a factor until later on.

It goes without saying any organization would be lucky to have him, but because of the Mariners' history with Japanese players, it's not hard to see this team as a terrific fit.

A reliable starter and pray for health

Name a starter on the Mariners and you can bet that pitcher has been on the disabled list in 2017.

It would be a cop-out to say Seattle needs better luck in the health department, but few starting rotations were bitten by the injury bug as bad as this team. The good news is, James Paxton emerged as an ace and Dipoto did well in acquiring two capable starters under contract in Mike Leake and Erasmo Ramirez.

Otani technically fits here as well because of his skill set as a pitcher, but Seattle adding another solid arm or two to its rotation is necessary. Iwakuma (shoulder) and Drew Smyly (Tommy John surgery) likely won't be available until later in 2018, and with Yovani Gallardo failing to leave an impression, Dipoto needs to add to a thin starting group.

Yu Darvish is the big fish, though it remains to be seen if the Mariners are willing to spend large for his services. Lance Lynn and Alex Cobb should also be considered by the Mariners if Dipoto decides to add through free agency.

(Photos courtesy: Action Images)

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