The phrase has hovered around the Seattle Mariners since general manager Jerry Dipoto first mentioned it during a busy offseason.
To move forward, the Mariners would have to take a “step back” in 2019, Dipoto said.
Mariners players have different ideas about what that means.
“I don’t think anyone can really define or project what’s going to happen this year,” said Opening Day starting pitcher Marco Gonzales earlier this spring in Peoria, Arizona.
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Wednesday, Gonzales opened the club’s season with a win in Japan over the Oakland A’s, giving the Mariners — even if for a fleeting moment — the best record in baseball.