Young arms augment proven veterans in rotation that aims to take a step forward

Key 2017 additions play a big role in 2018 pitching staff.

Momentum is the next day’s starting pitcher, Early Weaver once opined. There were times during the 2017 season when the Mariners may not have known who that was going to be. In taking steps to stabilize a 2017 rotation hit hard by injury, they not only shored up the next day’s starting pitching—but also the following year’s.

“We tried to take a look at—what can we do in this market, in the July and August trade periods, and augment our team to allow us to both stay relevant now…but also taking a step toward pushing us into a deeper and better pitching staff for 2018,” said Jerry Dipoto of the team’s philosophy last summer on the…